Topic Summaries

Case study – extreme weather hazards

IGCSE > Geography > Pearson IGCSE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation > Case study – extreme weather hazards
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Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation

Hot desert ecosystems

Cold environment ecosystems

Glacial landscapes

Glacial landform processes

Energy supply

The Big Freeze
Key details
  • Date: December 2010
  • Location: United Kingdom and Ireland 
  • North-east winds brought cold Arctic air and heavy snow.
  • Temperatures dropped below 0°C, and snow reached a depth of 50 cm in some areas.
Social impacts
  • School closures: several schools closed, causing children to miss education and requiring parents to make alternate arrangements for childcare, potentially missing work.
  • Water shortages: in Northern Ireland, 40,000 homes were left without water due to frozen pipes.
  • Isolation and accidents: icy roads caused traffic accidents, and some communities isolated.
Economic impacts
  • Car accidents: on 20 December, the AA reported its busiest day ever due to road accidents.
  • Disrupted sales and transport: shops witnessed a drop in sales, and transportation was severely disrupted.
  • Water shortages: 40,000 homes were left without water, affecting daily life.
Environmental impact
  • Crop damage: snow and freezing temperatures damaged crops.
  • Energy use: gas and electricity bills were doubled the usual amount for December.
Management stargeties to reduce risks
  • Weather warnings: advance warnings help people prepare for extreme weather.
  • Insulated walls: insulating cavity walls prevent pipes from freezing and provide warmth.
  • Indoor farming: protecting crops indoors can reduce the impact of future extreme weather events on crops.

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