Climate in the Caribbean. Reminder….. Climate: The average precipitation over a long period of...
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Transcript of Climate in the Caribbean. Reminder….. Climate: The average precipitation over a long period of...
Climate in the Caribbean
Reminder…..
• Climate: The average precipitation over a long period of time
• Weather: the day to day precipitation
Regions in the Caribbean
• There are 3 major regions in the Caribbean Islands– The Bahamas– Greater Antilles– Lesser Antilles
Environment
• The physical environment of the islands is ideal for tourism, offering both land and sea
• The climate from December to April are usually sunny, dry and warm.
• May to November it is more hot, humid and wet.
• They don’t have summer and winter like us but have more dry and wet seasons
Trade Winds
• Constant winds that blow from the east across the Atlantic, having a pleasant cooling effect.
• Most noticeable during the dry season.
Windward
• The side of a land mass that faces into a direct wind
• These coasts tend to be rocky, with stronger ocean currents rolling in.
Leeward
• The side of a land mass protected from wind• Most resorts tend to be located on these
protected sides away from the wind.
Storms
• Caribbean can experience violent storms in early fall.
• Hurricane-force winds can cause major destruction.
• Numbers of these storms are increasing and these can include hurricanes.
How does a hurricane form?
• Typically a weak low pressure system over warm tropical waters gets a collection of thunderstorms around its center. The storms help to intensify the central low and if wind conditions in the atmosphere are right the system can grow into a hurricane
Hurricane Intensities
Category 1• Winds between 119 and 154 km/h• Traffic signs twisted• Garden shrubs and shingled roofs damaged
Category 2• Winds between 155 and 178 km/h• Street signs damaged• Buildings receive roof and window damage• Low-flying areas flooded• Trailers destroyed.
Category 3• Winds between 179 and 210 km/h• Small buildings severely damaged• Flooding results from heavy rains and storm
surges• Small sailing vessels damaged
Category 4• Winds between 211 and 250km/h• Trees severely damaged• Buildings lose roods and windows• Significant damage to buildings with weak
structures eg. Mobile homes
Category 5• Winds greater than 251km/h• Small buildings destroyed• Emergency plans for large evacuation of
people within 80 km of storm path
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG1wAS97KnY
Origins- Volcanoes
• Some Caribbean Islands are tops of Volcanoes -Martinique
-St Kitts-St Vincent
• These islands owe their start to Volcanic activity….movement of plate tectonics caused volcanic eruptions
• Not considered a major threat now
Martinique
St Kitts
St Vincent
Martinique 1902
• Most tragic eruptions happened St-Pierre, Martinique
• Total population: 28 600, only 2 people survived
• 800C explosive gas burned and chocked the population as it sped down from the peak faster than an express train
Scenic and Benefits
• Mountains and deep valleys of the volcanic islands add to their beauty
• Slopes often covered with crops or rainforests because of rich volcanic soils
Limestone Islands
• Islands such as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao formed by accumulation of coral which transforms into limestone
• They are low lying islands and tend to be drier with less vegetation cover than volcanic ones
• Scarcity of water can create problems for both inhabitants and resort owners.
• Water-catchment devices are sometimes used to funnel rainwater from roofs into storage tanks.