Climate in the Caribbean
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Climate: _______________________________________________________
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Weather_______________________________________________________
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There are 3 major regions in the Caribbean Islands
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________________________________________
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________________________________________
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________________________________________
The Environment
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The physical environment of the islands is ideal for tourism, offering both
_______________________________.
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The climate from December to April is usually ___________________________.
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May to November it is more ________________________________________.
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They don’t have summer and winter like us but have more ___________________
______________________________________________________________
Trade Winds
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______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
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Most noticeable during the dry season.
Windward
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______________________________________________________________
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These coasts tend to be rocky, with stronger ocean currents rolling in.
Leeward
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______________________________________________________________
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Most resorts tend to be located on these protected sides away from the wind.
Storms
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Caribbean can experience violent storms in early fall.
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Hurricane-______________________________________________________.
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Numbers of these storms are increasing and these can include hurricanes.
How does a Hurricane form?
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Typically a weak low pressure system over warm tropical waters gets a collection of
thunderstorms around its center. The storms __________________________
_________________________________________ in the atmosphere are right
the system can grow into a hurricane
Hurricane Intensities
Category 1
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Winds between _____________________ km/h
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_____________________
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Garden shrubs and shingled roofs damaged
Category 2
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Winds between _____________________ km/h
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Street signs damaged
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Buildings receive roof and window damage
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___________________________________________
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Trailers destroyed.
Category 3
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Winds between _____________________ km/h
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Small buildings severely damaged
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Flooding results from heavy rains and storm surges
_____________________
Category 4
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Winds between _____________________ km/h
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Trees severely damaged
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_____________________
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Significant damage to buildings with weak structures eg. Mobile homes
Category 5
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Winds greater than _____________________ km/h
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_____________________
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Emergency plans for large evacuation of people within 80 km of storm path
Origins- Volcanoes
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Some Caribbean Islands are tops of Volcanoes
-______________________________________
-______________________________________
-______________________________________
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These islands owe their start to Volcanic activity….movement of plate tectonics
caused volcanic eruptions
Martinique, 1902
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Not considered a major threat now
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Most tragic eruptions happened St-Pierre, Martinique
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Total population: _________________________________________________
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800C explosive gas burned and chocked the population as it sped down from the
peak faster than an express train
Scenic and Benefit
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Mountains and deep valleys of the volcanic islands add to their beauty
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Slopes often covered with ________________________________ because of
rich volcanic soils
Limestone Islands
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Islands such as ____________________________________________formed
by accumulation of coral which transforms into limestone
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They are low lying islands and tend to be drier with less vegetation cover than
volcanic ones
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Scarcity of water can create problems for both
_________________________________________________.
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Water-catchment devices are sometimes used to ________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________