CCEA Specification

(a) The processes that shape our weather and climate

• (i) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the global energy balance, including vertical and horizontal heat transfers in the atmosphere and the role of ocean currents;

• (ii) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the general circulation of the atmosphere, including surface pressure belts, winds, the tri-cellular model, jet streams and upper westerly winds (in relation to the pressure gradient and Coriolis forces) ; and

• (iii) explain the factors that influence air temperature, including latitude, distance from the sea/continentality, altitude, ocean currents and seasonality.

Spatial Context Requirement:

For (i) and (ii) study of global patterns of precipitation, surface temperature, pressure and winds

For (iii) general reference to places for illustration purposes only

(b) Weather in the British Isles

• (i) explain the formation of precipitation (orographic or relief, frontal and convectional);

• (ii) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of mid-latitude weather systems (depressions and anticyclones) and their formation with reference to air masses and the Polar Front Jet Stream;

• (iii) interpret weather systems affecting the British Isles using surface pressure charts (synoptic charts) and satellite imagery;

Spatial Context Requirement:

For (ii) and (iii) general reference to places in the British Isles for illustration purposes only

(c) Global weather issues

• (i) Demonstrate knowledge of the changes to global weather patterns associated with the El Niño Southern Oscillation ;

• (ii) understand how hurricanes, tropical cyclones or typhoons form and explain their structure; and

• (iii) describe the impacts of a recent hurricane, tropical cyclone or typhoon and evaluate the management strategies that were in place to reduce its impacts on people and property.

Spatial Context Requirement:

For (ii) and (iii) a national or regional scale case study of one hurricane, tropical cyclone or typhoon, for example Hurricane Katrina (2005) or Cyclone Haiyan (2013)