Weather protectors
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During the summer it can be very hot and in the winter it can get very cold, so it is important that we protect ourselves from the weather.
If you are out in the sun for any length of time you should take care, especially during the summer. Long exposure to the sun can cause sunburn and lead to skin cancers. Therefore you should always put on protective sun cream and wear a hat. |
| Fig 1: Holidaymaker enjoying the sunshine. |
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Hurricanes
In south-eastern parts of the USA the radio and television stations broadcast hurricane warnings before a storm strikes. There are also hurricane shelters. In areas where hurricanes are common, people fit hurricane shutters to their windows. There are also special routes shown on signposts and at major road junctions telling drivers the evacuation routes.
Schools and halls in America are used as hurricane shelters for people that need shelter and those that have to leave their homes because they are damaged or at risk. |
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Fig 2: A rather windy day. |
Freezing conditions
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In places where the temperature drops a long way below freezing it is important that people wear the right type of clothing. These are designed to keep the warmth in and the cold and wind out. People who work in cold places like Siberia or Antarctica need to wear these clothes. |
| Fig 3: Man walking in snow shoes. |
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Flooding
Special measures have to be taken in many areas that may suffer from flooding. Coastal floods are often caused by very high tides and strong winds. Exceptional rainfall events frequently cause rivers to overflow, which leads to homes being flooded. Houses have to be protected from the water, and sometimes there may be a giant tidal wave which sweeps in from the sea.
The Thames Flood Barrier has been built to protect London from flooding. If there are storms in the North Sea and high tides, the barrier can be lowered and stop the water from moving up the River Thames and flooding central London.
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Fig 4: The Thames flood barrier. |
Let's find out
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Fill four plastic cups with warm water. Wrap a different material around each one. Try aluminium foil, newspaper, wool and cotton. Which one keeps warmest the longest?
Now try the same thing but try to keep something cool. Fill a plastic bottle with cold water and wrap it in foil, wool and newspaper. Which is the best material for keeping it cool? |
| Fig 5: Four plastic cups of water. |
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Things to make
You will need:
- a plastic jar;
- a large rubber band;
- a piece of plastic;
- newspaper;
- woollen material;
- cotton towel;
- greaseproof paper;
- a water dropper.
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Fig 6: Testing how waterproof some materials are. |
Fit the piece of plastic tightly over the top of the jar and secure with the elastic band. Fill the dropper with water and test out how waterproof the plastic is by dropping eight drops of water on to it. Test out the other materials in the same way. Make sure you release the same number of drops onto each piece of material to make your test fair.
Which ones are waterproof?
Amazing facts
Fifteen million trees were blown down on 15 and 16 October 1987 when the worst storm ever hit south-eastern Britain.
The Thames Flood Barrier has been described as the eighth wonder of the world.
From 1973 to 1976, almost no rain fell in the Sahara Desert.
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Fig 7: Saharan weather forecast. |
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