4.1 Extreme Weather Events

1. Explain, in your own words, the difference between weather and climate.

Weather refers to short term atmospheric conditions while climate is the weather of a specific region averaged over a long period of time. .

1. List some things you think would change if your area got hotter and dryer due to global warming?

dryer weather can also lead to early crop maturity or ripening.

1. Could we experience a hurricane in our area? Explain your reasoning for this conclusion.

1. Location: Hurricanes form in tropical regions, usually over warm ocean waters. If you're near the coast in a warm climate, hurricanes are more likely.

2. Season: Hurricane season typically runs from June to November. If it's during this time, there's a higher chance.

3. Weather Patterns: Hurricanes need certain conditions, like warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, to form and strengthen.

If your area is coastal, in a warm region, and it's hurricane season, there's a possibility of experiencing a hurricane. However, not all hurricanes will reach every coastal area.

1. Do you agree or disagree with the idea that we should let wildfires burn and not expend so much effort to put them out? Explain your reasoning.

I disagree with the idea of letting wildfires burn without trying to control them. While some wildfires are natural and can help ecosystems, uncontrolled fires can be very dangerous. They destroy homes, kill animals, harm the environment, and put people's lives at risk.

Controlled burns can be helpful in managing forests, but when wildfires grow too big, they become a serious threat. So, it’s important to fight large, dangerous fires to protect people, property, and nature.

1. What conditions are the most likely to result in flooding in BC? Give an example of recent serious flooding that has occurred from those conditions.

The most common occurrences of flooding in B.C. are the result of: Heavy rain and rain on snow (flash flood) Freshet (melted snow) High tides and strong winds (storm surge

What is a drought? What causes it?

A drought is a period of unusually persistent dry weather that continues long enough to cause serious problems such as crop damage and/or water supply shortages. Droughts are caused by low precipitation over an extended period of time.