Q4B · Describe in brief 5 causes and 5 preparedness measures for each - Heat Wave and Cold …

Answer

Heat wave: five causes

1. Persistent high pressure. Subsiding air and settled weather can suppress cloud and prolong hot conditions.
2. Strong solar heating. Clear skies allow sustained daytime heating; low ventilation can worsen local heat exposure.
3. Dry soils. Reduced soil moisture limits evaporative cooling and can intensify near-surface heating.
4. Urban conditions. Heat-storing surfaces and limited shade can increase local temperatures and reduce night-time cooling.
5. Background warming. Climate change increases the likelihood and severity of many heat extremes, while the details of an individual event also depend on weather patterns.

Heat wave: five preparedness measures

1. Alerts and action plans. Use forecast warnings to activate local heat plans and communicate protective actions.
2. Water and shade. Prepare reliable safe drinking water, shaded waiting areas and cooling spaces.
3. Reschedule exposure. Move strenuous outdoor work away from the hottest hours and arrange rest and shade.
4. Protect people at higher risk. Check on isolated older people, infants, outdoor workers and people with relevant health conditions.
5. Prepare services. Train staff to recognise heat illness and arrange access to urgent medical care and reliable power/water.

Cold wave: five causes

1. Cold air intrusion. Air masses from colder regions can sharply lower local temperatures.
2. Clear nights. The ground loses heat through radiation when cloud cover is limited.
3. Light winds. In some settings light winds allow a shallow cold layer to develop near the surface.
4. Snow and cold surfaces. Snow cover and nearby cold terrain can reinforce low temperatures under suitable conditions.
5. Persistent circulation. Weather patterns can sustain cold conditions over several days. Climate change does not mean cold events become impossible.

Cold wave: five preparedness measures

1. Monitor warnings. Communicate expected cold conditions and protective actions in accessible forms.
2. Provide shelter. Arrange warm, dry night shelters, especially for people without secure housing.
3. Clothing and bedding. Provide suitable layered clothing, blankets and protection from wet conditions.
4. Safe heating. Prepare safe, ventilated heating and fire precautions; never burn charcoal in an enclosed room.
5. Support and health services. Check on vulnerable people and maintain access to care, transport and essential supplies.