5
Science
Quarter 4 – Week 3: Module 3
Weather Disturbances
AIRs - LM
Science 5
Quarter 4: Week 3 – Module 3: Weather Disturbances
First Edition, 2020
Copyright © 2020
La Union Schools Division
Region I
All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form without
written permission from the copyright owners.
Development Team of the Module
Author: Darwin C. Agpasan
Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team
Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos, Jr., P II
Management Team:
Atty. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.
Schools Division Superintendent
Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, Ph.D
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
German E. Flora, Ph.D, CID Chief
Virgilio C. Boado, Ph.D, EPS in Charge of LRMS
Rominel S. Sobremonte, Ed.D, EPS in Charge of Science
Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II
Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II
Target
The Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons a year. Being
surrounded by bodies of water makes us prone to experience some weather
disturbances. The biggest contributor of the weather disturbances in our country is
the Pacific Ocean which lies on the eastern side of our country. The vast and warm
waters of the ocean is capabale of generating many weather disturbances.
This module will help you understand weather disturbances and their effects
to daily life.
After going through this module you are expected to attain the following
objectives.
Learning Competency
Characterize weather disturbances in the Philippines and describe their
effects to daily life.
Subtasks:
1. Identify the different weather disturbances that may possibly occur in an
area.
2. Describe the effects of the winds, given a certain storm warning signal.
3. Describe the effects of a typhoon in the community.
Jumpstart
A. Fill in the missing word in each statement.
1. A tropical cyclone with a maximum wind speed of 64 to 116 kph is called
____________________.
2. ____________________ is a government agency responsible in monitoring weather
condition.
3. Tropical depression has a maximum wind speed of up to ____________________.
4. ____________________ is a seasonal wind that brings lots of rain in the
Philippines.
5. ____________________ is a seasonal wind that gives us the coldest temperature
during the year.
B. Identify the public storm warning signal described in the following. Write PSWS
1, 2, 3, or 4.
______ 6. Only pre-school classes are suspended.
______ 7. The winds are expected to come within 12 hours.
______ 8. Wind speed reaches about 100 to 185 kph.
______ 9. Classes in pre-school to high school is automatically suspended.
______ 10. Evacuation must be made as soon as possible.
Discover
Weather Disturbances
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Look at the sky. Can you tell what the weather is? Weather is the condition of
the atmosphere at a short period of time. The different factors that affect the
weather include air temperature, air pressure, humidity, clouds, precipitation, and
wind speed and direction. When these factors change and affect the condition of
the atmosphere, weather disturbances may occur. Weather disturbances refer to
any disruption of the atmosphere’s stable condition. It can manifest through the
formation of a low pressure area or different prevailing winds like monsoons and
the Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ.
Low Pressure Area (LPA) and High Pressure Area (HPA)
This refers to the weight of the air that is pressing down on earth. An abrupt
change in the pressure can trigger weather disturbances. Convection or the rising
of warm air and sinking of cold air, explains how a high pressure area and a low
pressure area are formed.
When cold air sinks, it results to a high pressure area. Since most of the air is
pressing down, the air on the surface becomes dry. Formation of a high pressure
area indicates fair weather, fewer clouds are found in the sky. But when warm air
rises, less air presses downward, resulting in the formation of a low pressure area.
As the air continuously rises, it will eventually cool, condense, and form clouds.
The formation of a low pressure area indicates the possibility of rain. There is
higher chance of rain when more clouds are formed. An LPA can result to weather
disturbances, rains and strong winds are brought about by low pressure.
In a cyclone, the cool air flows to take the place of the rising warm air. As a
result, the air current spins. The wind spirals around to the center of the cyclone.
This center is called the eye. It is surrounded by bands of clouds and winds. When
a cyclone is formed over the tropics, it is called a tropical cyclone. Given that the
Philippines is found in the tropics, we experience tropical cyclones.
Tropical cyclones that occur within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)
develop in two areas. These areas are in the Pacific Ocean and in the West
Philippine Sea. A cyclone that develops from the Pacific Ocean generally moves in a
west to northwest direction. A cyclone that originates from the west Philippine Sea
moves in an east to northeast direction.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) keep track of cyclones that enter the Philippine Area of
Responsibility.
A cyclone intensifies when it is located over warm tropical waters. It weakens as
it moves inland. The intensity of tropical cyclones varies. Thus, we classify them
according to their degree of intensity.
The classification of tropical cyclones according to strength of winds are as
follows:
Tropical Disturbance
It is an isolated weather system with an apparent circulation. It is characterized
by a poorly developed wind circulation. This is commonly observed throughout the
wet tropics and subtropics.
Tropical Depression
It is a weak low pressure disturbance with a definite surface circulation. A
tropical depression has a maximum wind speed of up to 61 kilometers per hour
(kph). It is most common in the equatorial region or the intertropical convergence
zone (ITCZ). The ITCZ is the belt of low pressure which circles the Earth generally
near the equator.
Tropical Storm
Once a tropical depression has intensified, it becomes a tropical storm. A
tropical storm is a moderate tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 62 to 88
kph. A tropical storm is more organized and more circular in shape. The rotation of
a tropical storm is more recognizable than that of a tropical depression. Severe
tropical storm has a maximum wind speed of 89 to 117 kph.
Typhoon
It is an intense tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 118 to 220 kph.
Most of the time, a typhoon is accompanied by heavy rains and strong winds.
Conditions of the Environment Before, During and After a Typhoon
How do we know if it is going to rain? Observing the sky helps us to know the
weather. If it is quite dark, there is a big possibility that it will rain. Look at the sky.
What can you say about it? Are we going to have a sunny or a rainy day?
Before a Typhoon
Before a typhoon occurs, high clouds are observed in the sky. The air is dry
and cold since most of the warm air has already risen. The relative humidity is
high. The wind blows gently and scattered rain showers may occur.
During a Typhoon
During a typhoon, the sky is dark and cloudy. Heavy rainfall accompanied by
strong winds occurs. Big waves are also observed near the coast. When these waves
become unusually high due to abnormally high ocean tides, a storm surge occurs.
Flash floods may occur due to heavy rainfall. Landslides may be triggered by
flash floods and heavy rains.
Some trees and crops may be uprooted because of strong winds.
Public Storm Warning Signals (PSWS)
In order to determine the strength of a typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issues Public
Storm Warning Signals (PSWS). The strength of typhoon entering the Philippine
Area of Responsibility (PAR), as well as the impact of winds and the precautionary
measures which should be done are shown below.
The Philippine Public Storm Warning Signals
PSWS No. 1
Meteorological Conditions:
A tropical cyclone will affect the locality.
Winds moving at a speed of 30-60 kph is expected in at least 36 hours or
intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours.
Impact of the Winds:
Twigs and branches of small trees may be broken.
Some banana plants may be tilted.
Some houses of very light materials (nipa and cogon) may be partially unroofed.
Unless this warning signal is upgraded during the entire existence of the
tropical cyclone, only very light or no damage at all may be sustained by the
exposed communities.
Rice crops in flowering stage may suffer significant damage.
Precautionary Measures:
When the tropical cyclone is strong or intensifying and is moving closer, this
signal may be upgraded to a higher level.
The waves on coastal waters may gradually develop and become bigger and
higher.
The people are advised to listen to the latest severe weather bulletin issued by
PAGASA every six hours. In the meantime business may be carried out as usual
except when floods occur.
Disaster preparedness units are activated to alert status.
PSWS No. 2
Meteorological Conditions:
A tropical cyclone will affect the locality.
Winds moving at a speed of 61-120 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours.
Impact of the Winds:
Some coconut trees may be tilted with few others broken.
Few big trees may be uprooted.
Many banana plants may be downed.
Rice and corn crops may be adversely affected.
Large number of nipa and cogon houses made of light may be totally unroofed.
Some old galvanized iron roofs may be peeled off.
In general, the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed
communities.
Precautionary Measures:
The sea and coastal waters are dangerous to small seacraft.
Special attention should be given to the latest position, the direction and speed
of movement speed, and the intensity of the storm as it may intensify and move
towards the locality.
The general public, especially people traveling by sea and air, are cautioned to
avoid unnecessary risks.
Outdoor activities of children should be postponed.
Secure properties before the signal is upgraded.
Disaster preparedness agencies/organizations are in action to alert their
communities.
PSWS No. 3
Meteorological Conditions:
A tropical cyclone will affect the locality.
Winds moving at a speed of 121-170 kph may be expected in at least 18 hours.
Impact of the Winds:
Many coconut trees may be broken or destroyed.
Almost all banana plants may be downed and a large number of trees may be
uprooted.
Rice and corn crops may suffer heavy losses.
Majority of all nipa and cogon houses may be unroofed or destroyed and there
may be considerable damage to structures of light and medium construction.
There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication
services.
In general, moderate to heavy damage may be experienced, particularly in the
agricultural and industrial sectors.
Precautionary Measures:
The weather condition is dangerous to the communities threatened/affected.
The sea and coastal waters will be very dangerous to all seacraft.
Travel is very risky especially by air and sea.
People are advised to seek shelter in strong buildings, evacuate low-lying areas,
and stay away from the coasts and riverbanks.
Watch out for the passage of the eye of the typhoon that hits the community; do
not venture away from the safe shelter because, after one to two hours, the
worst weather will resume with very strong winds from the south.
Classes in all levels should be suspended and children should stay in the safety
of strong structures.
Disaster preparedness and response agencies/organizations are in action with
appropriate response to actual emergency.
PSWS No. 4
Meteorological Conditions:
A very intense typhoon will affect the locality.
Winds moving at a speed of 171-220 kph may be expected in at least 12 hours.
Impact of the Winds:
Coconut plantations may suffer extensive damage.
Many large trees may be uprooted.
Rice and corn plantation may suffer severe losses.
Most residential and institutional buildings of mixed construction may be
severely damaged.
Electrical power distribution and communication services may be severely
disrupted.
Overall, damage to affected communities can be very heavy.
Precautionary Measures:
The situation is potentially very destructive to the community.
All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.
Evacuation to safer shelters should have been completed since it may be too
late under this situation.
With PSWS No. 4 the locality is very likely to be hit directly by the eye of the
typhoon. As the eye of the typhoon approaches, the weather will continuously
worsen with the winds increasing to its strongest coming generally from the
north. Then a sudden improvement of the weather with light winds will be
experienced. This means that the eye of the typhoon is over the locality. This
improved weather may last one to hours depending on the diameter of the eye
and the speed of the movement. As the eye moves out of the locality, the worst
weather experienced before the lull will suddenly commence. This time the very
strong winds will come generally from the south.
The disaster coordinating councils concerned and other disaster response
organizations are fully responding to emergencies and in full readiness to
immediately respond to possible calamity.
PSWS No. 5
Meteorological Conditions:
A Super Typhoon will affect the locality.
Winds moving at a speed of 220 kph or above may be expected in at least 12
hours.
Impact of the Winds:
Widespread damaged to high-risk structures.
Complete roof failure on many buildings. Severe and extensive window and door
damage.
Most residential and institutional buildings of mixed construction may be
severely damaged.
Electrical power distribution and communication services severely disrupted.
Most plants and tall trees are broken, uprooted, or defoliated.
Precautionary Measures:
All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.
Evacuation to safer shelters should have been completed.
The disaster coordinating councils concerned and other disaster response
organizations are fully responding to emergencies and in full readiness.
After a Tropical Cyclone
After a typhoon, the sun becomes visible and the sky becomes clearer. There
might be scattered rain showers. Some areas may still be flooded and recovering
from the typhoon. If a certain place is severely devastated, many residents are
staying in evacuation areas. Rescue and relief operations are also on-going. There
might be an outbreak of water-borne diseases, influenza and dengue.
Dealing with Weather Disturbances
Heavy rains brought about by typhoon can cause damage to properties and
environment.
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Uprooted trees and flash floods are caused by weather disturbances.
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Weather disturbances are devastating. It can cause damage to our life and
properties. Heavy winds can destroy power and communication lines. Roads and
bridges are also damaged due to heavy rainfall and flooding. Weather disturbances
can also destroy our means of livelihood. Heavy rains and strong winds can uproot
trees and destroy our crops that provide us with food. This is why there is always a
food storage when there is a typhoon.
We cannot change the path of the typhoon or stop it from coming. But we can
always prepare for it, PAGASA, with its modern technology, can assess and monitor
any upcoming typhoon. Once we already have all the information about it, we can
now prepare ourselves for it and lessen the damages that the weather disturbance
may bring.
What to do Before, During and After a Typhoon
Here are some of the precautionary measures that one should observe before,
during and after a typhoon.
Before
1. Check the roof of your house for any leaks. Check the windows and make
repairs if they are broken.
2. Make sure that the posts and roofs of your house are sturdy enough to
withstand strong winds.
3. Keep enough supply of water, rice, canned goods, and medicines but do not
engage in the practice of panic buying.
4. Prepare an emergency kit.
5. Secure all important documents in a waterproof bag.
6. Keep a battery-powered radio to keep yourself updated on the latest news about
the typhoon.
During
1. Stay indoors. Cancel or postpone any travel plan.
2. If you live in a low-lying area, be alert about your local officials’ advisory
regarding evacuation.
3. Stay away from places that may have experienced short circuit.
4. If you are in an evacuation center, be updated on the latest news advisory.
5. Boil your drinking water. Floods may have contaminated the tap water.
6. Check if your family members or relatives who are staying in the affected areas
are in need of help or rescue.
After
1. Ask an electrician to check the electrical wirings or appliances that were soaked
in the flood water.
2. Check the damaged parts of your house and have them repaired. Replace them
if necessary.
3. Boil your drinking water. Even after the flood, water may not be that safe to
drink.
4. Ensure the safety of your family members and relatives who were affected by
the floods.
5. Help the victim of calamities by giving donations or being a volunteer in relief
operations.
Explore
Do the following activities.
Activity 1. Fill the table below with the different weather disturbances.
Weather Disturbances Changes Result of the Changes
Activity 2. Answer the following questions briefly.
1. How will you differentiate High Pressure Area and Low Pressure Area?
2. What is the importance of knowing the causes of weather disturbances?
3. What role can social media play before, during and after a typhoon?
4. Why do you think the suspension of class is based on the wind intensity
rather than the amount of rainfall?
5. How can weather disturbance affect our lives?
Deepen
Activity 1. List down possible events that may happen before, during and after a
typhoon. Fill-out the table below.
Infrastructure or What happens…
Resources Before a typhoon During a typhoon After a typhoon
coconut trees
rice fields
wind
electrical power
houses
Activity 2. List down the effects of wind during the different public storm warning
signals.
Effects of Wind Signal 1 Signal 2 Signal 3 Signal 4
to
1. sea
2. houses
3. plants
4. electricity
5. rice fields
Activity 3. Make a concept map about the effects of typhoon.
Effects of a
Typhoon
Gauge
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. It refers to the abnormal rise in the sea level as a result of the changes in
atmospheric pressure and wind cause by a storm.
A. flash floods B. landslides
C. storm surge D. typhoon
2. Which is the best thing to do during a typhoon?
A. Help the victims of calamities
B. Call your friends and play outside
C. Stay indoors. Cancel or postpone any travel plan
D. Buy enough supply of water, rice, canned goods, and medicines.
3. What can we observe during a typhoon?
A. Heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds.
B. The sun becomes visible and the sky becomes clearer.
C. The air is dry and cold since most of the warm air rises already.
D. All of the above
4. Which of the following is the best thing to do after a typhoon?
A. Prepare an emergency kit.
B. Keep enough supply of water, rice, canned goods, and medicines.
C. Be alert of your local officials’ advisory if you need to evacuate or not.
D. Ask an electrician to check electrical wirings or appliances that were soaked
in flood water.
5. PSWS No. 1 can cause ________________________.
A. few big trees to be uprooted.
B. twigs and branches of small trees to be broken.
C. rice and corn plantation to suffer severe damages.
D. the sea and coastal waters to be very dangerous to all sea crafts.
6. It is an intense tropical cyclone with maximum speeds exceeding 118kph.
A. tropical depression B. tropical storm
C. tropical disturbance D. typhoon
7. PAGASA stands for?
A. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical System Association
B. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Atmospheric Services
Administration
C. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical System
Administration
D. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration
8. It is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular period of time.
A. humidity B. temperature
C. weather D. wind
9. What do we observe after tropical cyclone?
A. The sky is dark and cloudy.
B. High clouds are observed in the sky.
C. The sun becomes visible and the sky becomes clearer.
D. All of the above
10. Convection is referred as the _________________ of the warm air and sinking of
the cold air.
A. decreasing C. increasing
B. rising D. sinking
Great job! You are done with this
module.
Answer Key
Deepen
Activity 1 (Answers may vary)
Infrastructure What happens…
or Resources Before a typhoon During a typhoon After a typhoon
Calm, standing Coconut trees get Some coconut tress
coconut trees straight or gets swayed from mild may be uprooted or
slightly blown by to violent, may be totally bent
the wind. depending on the down.
strength of the
typhoon. Some
trees may be
uprooted.
Calm, gets slightly Rice fields get The rice seedlings
rice fields blown by the wind flooded or the rice may have been
seedlings get blown drowned by the flood
over the places or some may be
totally destroyed.
The wind feels The wind blows The wind now blows
wind humid and can from gentle to and slightly humid.
blow from gentle violent, depending
to slightly strong on the strength of
the typhoon
Electricity supply Electricity supply Electricity supply in
electrical is still present may be cut off in some places may
power some areas. Some take few days to
power lines may be weeks to be totally
toppled down, restored. Some may
resulting to power be restored within a
outages. few hours.
Houses are The houses may be Some houses need to
houses standing still, no slightly damaged to have the roof fixed.
damage present totally devastated Houses made of light
depending on the materials may have
strength of the been totally blown
typhoon and the away or destroyed.
built of the house.
Activity 2 (Answers may vary)
Activity 3 (Answers may vary)
Jumpstart Explore
Activity 1 (Answers may vary)
1. Tropical Storm
2. PAGASA Activity 2 (Answers may vary)
3. 63 km/hr 1. Low Pressure Area (LPA) happens when warm
4. Southwest monsoon air rises and High Pressure Area (HPA) happens
5. Northeast monsoon when cold air sinks.
6. PSWS 1 2. Because weather disturbance affects the
7. PSWS 4 condition of the atmosphere.
8. PSWS 3 3. Media inform the people what they need to do in
9. PSWS 2 case of typhoon.
10. PSWS 3 4. Because the wind intensity makes the weather
worse.
5. Weather disturbances can cause damage to
property.
Gauge
1. C 6. D
2. C 7. D
3. A 8. C
4. D 9. C
5. B 10. C
References
Eveleyn T. Sarte, Eliza A. Lopez, Mary Jean G. dela Cruz, Harold A. Arradaza and
Ednaliza R. Garcia Science Beyond Boarders 5 Textbook. Vival Group Inc. 2016
https://images.app.goo.gl/eH5uEnTvCJf2mw1d7
https://images.app.goo.gl/Y2h4stHoqopvqTyj6
https://images.app.goo.gl/1DxUSGEj2oBy6EhZ9
https://images.app.goo.gl/PmAmYLTCUCTYMzoLB
