Define the term weather.

KCSE Geography Paper 1 2015 Section B  Question 7.

​(i) Define the term weather. 

• Weather is the daily atmospheric conditions of a place at particular time.

​(ii) Explain how the following factors influence weather:
 cloud cover; 
 local winds. 

Cloud cover:

• Thick cloud cover reduces the amout of solar radiation reaching the earth surface thus decreasing the atmospheric temperature.
• Absence of cloud cover leads to an increase in diurnal range of temperature.
• Thick cloud cover blocks terestial radiation from leaving the earth surface lower atmosphere thereby increasing the atmospheric temperature.
• The type of cloud determines type/amount of rainfall.
• The amount of cloud cover determines the intensity of sunshine received on the earth surface.
• Shape/height/movement of clouds determines the type of weather that is likely to occur.

Local winds:

• Warm winds blowing over an area bring the warming effect thereby raising the temperature of the place.
• Cold winds blowing over an area bring the cooling effect hence lowering the temperature of the place.
• Moist winds passing over a region drop moisture as precipitation/increase humidity.
• Dry winds passing over a region bring a drying effect/aridity/lower humidity.

​The diagram below represents a weather measuring instrument. Use it to answer question (b).

​(b) (i) Which element of weather is measured using the instrument shown above? 
​(ii) Describe how the above instrument is used. 

(i) Which element of weather is measured using the instrument shown?

• Rainfall. 

(ii) Describe how the above instrument is used.

• The instrument is placed in an open area and rain water collects in the jar.
• The metal collecting jar is removed from the metal holder.
• The water is poured into a measuring/graduated cylinder.
• The reading is taken/recorded.
• The water is emptied and the instrument is placed outside to collect more water for measuring the following day.

The table below shows the temperature and rainfall readings for station T in one week. Use it to answer question (c).

​(c) (i) Calculate:
 the range of temperature for the week. 
 the mean week rainfall 

(ii) State four characteristics of the weather in station T.

• The lowest temperature of the station is 21°C.
• The highest temperature of the station is 25°C.
• The Mean weekly temperature of the station is 23.4°C /moderate
• The highest amount of rainfall for the station is 60 nm/Friday/Saturday.
• The lowest amount of rainfall for the station is 45 mm/Thursday.
• There is rainfall throughout the week.
• There is low weekly temperature range /4°C.
• It is hot and wet throughout the week.
• There is high rainfall /368 mm.

​(d) Give four characteristics of the stratosphere.

• It extends from 15 - 50 km (equator) and (8 - 50 km) at the poles.
• The lower part of it has constant temperature/is othermal layer.
• It has little/no water vapour.
• Temperature increase with increase in height at the upper layer/negative lapse rate/ temperature inversion.
• Temperature ranges from 80°C-0°C
• It is mainly composed of O-zone gas.

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