Transcript Will we see more extreme Weather in the future?

What is the link between these Headlines?
‘Tornado outbreak that left 342 dead was biggest in
history with 226 twisters in just one day’
The Mail Online 3 may 2011
Australia heatwave claims 37 lives
Record-breaking heatwave as the Country
endures its hottest temperatures since 1855
guardian.co.uk, 2 February 2009
Asia extreme cold 2008 Worst winter in decades
Freak cold and snow across the southern half of China killed more than 100
people,
Alert.net
Will we see more extreme Weather
in the future?
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/wonders-ofweather-extreme-weather.html
What sorts of extreme weather are mentioned
on the video?
The media seems to be telling us
that extreme weather events are
more common as a result of climate
change
but is this true?................
Notes for lessons
Link between climate
change and tornadoes
No link between climate
change and tornadoes
We will investigate…….
• Looking at the severe Tornado outbreak in
America (Mid-West April 2011)
TORNADO ALLEY
This area of the
USA is prone to
Tornadoes every
spring.
The above map shows the locations of
all the tornadoes that touched down
on the 28th April 2011
Task: Shade your American map to show the states that
suffered tornadoes in the 2011 Super Outbreak
Oklahoma
Missouri
Alabama
Texas
Ohio
Georgia
Missisippi
North Carolina
Tenesse
Arkansas
Virginia
Tornado facts Race :
• In groups of 2 take it in turns to come up to the front for
15 seconds and memorise the most important piece of
information about the investigation.
• Return back to your seat and write down as much as you
can remember!
• Next person comes up and the process repeats 2 times.
• All groups will then take part in a quick quiz on the
SUPER OUTBREAK to see who is the best journalist
team
Super outbreak quiz
1. Which state was worse effected by the outbreak?
2. What is a name of a town that was badly affected?
3. How big was the tornado in this town?
4. How many days did the outbreak last?
5. In the super outbreak where did the warm moist air come
from?
6. Roughly, how many tornados are there in the US each
year?
7. Which country, after the USA, has the most tornadoes?
Quiz answers
1.Alabama
2. Tuscaloosa
3. 1 mile wide and speeds of 200 mph (F5)
4. 4 days
5. The Gulf of Mexico
6. 1,200
7. Australia
Confirmed deaths by state
Alabama: 162
Mississippi: 33
Tennessee: 33
Georgia: 13
Virginia: 8
Kentucky: 1
Disaster Summary
Date of tornado
outbreak:
April 25 – April 28, 2011
Duration1:
4 days
Maximum rated
tornado2:
EF5 tornado
Tornadoes caused:
Damages:
327 confirmed (Exact total is
uncertain)
~$6 billion (2011 USD)
(insured costs) 1]
[
Fatalities/ deaths
344 total
Tuscaloosa, Alabama devastated by 'monster'
tornado
• In Alabama, the worst-hit state, more than
162 have died - including 36 killed by a
deadly F5 tornado that devastated the city
of Tuscaloosa.
The tornado completely
Wiped out 30% of
The small city
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhKjv9
GuARQ
• Some great footage of the outbreak
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjVW0
Du2ZIo
Does Climate Change mean more deadly tornado
Outbreaks?
• Unfortunately, there will be more massively deadly
tornado outbreaks in the future. With populations
growing in tornado-prone areas, there is an
increasing risk of future outbreaks causing loss of
life.
• The NWA emphasizes that no single series of
tornado events should be construed as evidence of
a climate trend. However warming trends do create
more of the fuel that tornadoes require, such as
moisture
Trends in tornado activity
Since 1975 the
trend shows a
decline in the
number of strong
tornadoes
recorded.
Does this fit in with
the belief that
extreme weather is
on the increase?
So….. Will we see more tornadoes
deaths as a result of climate
change?
• Success criteria:
Include a balanced answer (points that
agree, and disagree)
Case study detail (figures, place names)
Task: create a 60 second news report on the
SUPER OUTBREAK
• You are a major news Reporter on the
BBC and have a 60-second update slot in
which to tell the world about the American
outbreak.
• In groups of 4, prepare you report and
practise delivering it. These will be shown
to the class at the end.