Study Notes on Hydrometeorological Hazards and Preparedness
Hydrometeorological Hazards Overview
Hydrometeorological hazards refer to processes or phenomena of atmospheric, hydrological, or oceanographic nature.
Consequences:
Loss of life
Injury or health impacts
Property damage
Loss of livelihoods and vital services
Social and economic disruptions
Environmental damages
Types of Hydrometeorological Hazards
Common types include:
Tropical Cyclones (Typhoons/Hurricanes)
Thunderstorms
Hailstorms
Tornadoes
Drought
Heat Waves
Cold Spells
Heavy Snowfall
Floods/Flash Floods
Storm Surges
Avalanches
Blizzards
Hydrometeorological conditions can also contribute to other hazards:
Landslides
Wildfires
Locust plagues
Epidemics
Volcanic eruptions
Specific Hydrometeorological Hazards Defined
Cyclones
Definition: A cyclone is a powerful spinning storm characterized by strong winds and rain.
Characteristics:
Intense low-pressure systems
Strong spiral winds with counter-clockwise flow (northern hemisphere)
Hazards: Strong winds, heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, storm surges, landslides, mudflows
Classification of Cyclones
Tropical Depression: Winds from 35 km/h to 63 km/h
Tropical Storm: Winds from 64 km/h to 118 km/h
Typhoon: Winds exceeding 118 km/h
Typhoons
Definition: A typhoon is a large, powerful tropical cyclone.
Characteristics:
Rotates counter-clockwise over warm water in the Western Pacific
Damage due to thunderstorms, violent winds, torrential rain, floods, landslides
Known as hurricanes in the Atlantic and cyclones in the Indian Ocean
Thunderstorms
Definition: A violent local disturbance producing lightning, thunder, and heavy rainfall, possibly leading to tornado formation.
Formation: Caused by convection when warm moist air rises and cools, forming cumulonimbus clouds.
Tornado
Definition: A violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground.
Characteristics:
Appearance: Visible condensation funnel, encircled by debris
Size: Varies; can be nearly transparent until debris is picked up
Usually develops in severe thunderstorms due to unstable warm air along cold fronts
Flash Flood
Definition: Rapid flooding of low-lying areas like washes, rivers, and basins.
Causes:
Heavy rain with severe thunderstorms
Tropical storm conditions
Ice melt
Collapse of natural or man-made dam
Timescale: Distinguished from regular floods by a rapid onset, usually within six hours.
Flood
Definition: Inundation of land not normally covered by water due to temporary rise of rivers, streams, or lakes.
Causes:
Heavy, prolonged rainfall
Storm surges
Debris jams
Storm Surge
Definition: Rise of seawater above normal sea level due to cyclonic winds and atmospheric pressure.
Mechanism: Water level is driven towards the coast and can affect vast stretches of land depending on the slope of the seabed.
El Niño and La Niña
Overview
El Niño and La Niña are significant weather patterns arising from ocean temperature variations in the equatorial Pacific.
They are opposite phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly
El Niño and La Niña typically last nine to 12 months; irregularly every 2 to 7 years.
Tools in Tracking Storms
Satellite Technology
Satellites provide real-time visualization of cyclone formation and path.
Doppler Radar
Radio Detection and Ranging technology used to track precipitation, determine speed and distance of storm activity.
Key functions include spotting clouds' movements and predicting storm paths based on reflection of radio waves.
Safety, Preparedness, and Mitigation
General Safety Protocols
Establish coordination with local disaster management councils.
Strengthen house resilience against severe weather.
Typhoon Preparedness
Learn about typhoon signs, warnings, and mitigation strategies.
During a Typhoon
Monitor reliable news sources, evacuate if necessary, stay indoors.
Post-Typhoon Rehabilitation
Provide immediate assistance to victims and check property for damages.
Thunderstorm Preparedness
Develop family plans, know local risks, and secure properties.
During Thunderstorms
Adopt position for lightning safety, stay indoors, unplug devices.
Tornado Preparedness
Establish family plans, conduct drills, and monitor weather updates.
Flash Flood and Flood Preparedness
Know flood risks, stay alert to weather changes, and prepare emergency kits.
During Floods
Stay informed, avoid floodwaters, and listen to alerts.
Storm Surge Preparedness
Identify evacuation routes, know surge risk zones, and participate in drills.
During a Storm Surge
Move to higher ground upon warnings, avoid steep areas prone to landslides.
Project NOAH and Local Initiatives
Project NOAH Overview
Developed to enhance disaster risk assessments, monitoring, and management to mitigate natural hazards within the Philippines.
Components include:
Installation of automated rain gauges and water level monitoring stations.
Disaster Risk Exposure Assessment.
Improved geohazards mapping via LIDAR technology.
Coastal hazards and storm surge assessments.
Flood Information Networks for accurate early warnings.
Local development initiatives for Doppler radar systems.
Landslide sensors for earlyHydrometeorological Hazards Overview
Hydrometeorological hazards refer to processes or phenomena of atmospheric, hydrological, or oceanographic nature.
Consequences:
Loss of life
Injury or health impacts
Property damage
Loss of livelihoods and vital services
Social and economic disruptions
Environmental damages
Types of Hydrometeorological Hazards
Common types include:
Tropical Cyclones (Typhoons/Hurricanes)
Thunderstorms
Hailstorms
Tornadoes
Drought
Heat Waves
Cold Spells
Heavy Snowfall
Floods/Flash Floods
Storm Surges
Avalanches
Blizzards
Hydrometeorological conditions can also contribute to other hazards:
Landslides
Wildfires
Locust plagues
Epidemics
Volcanic eruptions
Specific Hydrometeorological Hazards Defined
Cyclones
Definition: A cyclone is a powerful spinning storm characterized by strong winds and rain.
Characteristics:
Intense low-pressure systems
Strong spiral winds with counter-clockwise flow (northern hemisphere)
Hazards: Strong winds, heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, storm surges, landslides, mudflows
Classification of Cyclones
Tropical Depression: Winds from 35 km/h to 63 km/h
Tropical Storm: Winds from 64 km/h to 118 km/h
Typhoon: Winds exceeding 118 km/h
Typhoons
Definition: A typhoon is a large, powerful tropical cyclone.
Characteristics:
Rotates counter-clockwise over warm water in the Western Pacific
Damage due to thunderstorms, violent winds, torrential rain, floods, landslides
Known as hurricanes in the Atlantic and cyclones in the Indian Ocean
Thunderstorms
Definition: A violent local disturbance producing lightning, thunder, and heavy rainfall, possibly leading to tornado formation.
Formation: Caused by convection when warm moist air rises and cools, forming cumulonimbus clouds.
Tornado
Definition: A violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground.
Characteristics:
Appearance: Visible condensation funnel, encircled by debris
Size: Varies; can be nearly transparent until debris is picked up
Usually develops in severe thunderstorms due to unstable warm air along cold fronts
Flash Flood
Definition: Rapid flooding of low-lying areas like washes, rivers, and basins.
Causes:
Heavy rain with severe thunderstorms
Tropical storm conditions
Ice melt
Collapse of natural or man-made dam
Timescale: Distinguished from regular floods by a rapid onset, usually within six hours.
Flood
Definition: Inundation of land not normally covered by water due to temporary rise of rivers, streams, or lakes.
Causes:
Heavy, prolonged rainfall
Storm surges
Debris jams
Storm Surge
Definition: Rise of seawater above normal sea level due to cyclonic winds and atmospheric pressure.
Mechanism: Water level is driven towards the coast and can affect vast stretches of land depending on the slope of the seabed.
El Niño and La Niña
Overview
El Niño and La Niña are significant weather patterns arising from ocean temperature variations in the equatorial Pacific.
They are opposite phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly
El Niño and La Niña typically last nine to 12 months; irregularly every 2 to 7 years.
Tools in Tracking Storms
Satellite Technology
Satellites provide real-time visualization of cyclone formation and path.
Doppler Radar
Radio Detection and Ranging technology used to track precipitation, determine speed and distance of storm activity.
Key functions include spotting clouds' movements and predicting storm paths based on reflection of radio waves.
Safety, Preparedness, and Mitigation
General Safety Protocols
Establish coordination with local disaster management councils.
Strengthen house resilience against severe weather.
Typhoon Preparedness
Learn about typhoon signs, warnings, and mitigation strategies.
During a Typhoon
Monitor reliable news sources, evacuate if necessary, stay indoors.
Post-Typhoon Rehabilitation
Provide immediate assistance to victims and check property for damages.
Thunderstorm Preparedness
Develop family plans, know local risks, and secure properties.
During Thunderstorms
Adopt position for lightning safety, stay indoors, unplug devices.
Tornado Preparedness
Establish family plans, conduct drills, and monitor weather updates.
Flash Flood and Flood Preparedness
Know flood risks, stay alert to weather changes, and prepare emergency kits.
During Floods
Stay informed, avoid floodwaters, and listen to alerts.
Storm Surge Preparedness
Identify evacuation routes, know surge risk zones, and participate in drills.
During a Storm Surge
Move to higher ground upon warnings, avoid steep areas prone to landslides.
Project NOAH and Local Initiatives
Project NOAH Overview
Developed to enhance disaster risk assessments, monitoring, and management to mitigate natural hazards within the Philippines.
Components include:
Installation of automated rain gauges and water level monitoring stations.
Disaster Risk Exposure Assessment.
Improved geohazards mapping via LIDAR technology.
Coastal hazards and storm surge assessments.
Flood Information Networks for accurate early warnings.
Local development initiatives for Doppler radar systems.
Landslide sensors for early monitoring.
Weather hazard information via media and web portals.
monitoring.
Weather hazard information via media and web portals.