The Challenge of Weather and Climate

The UK’s changeable climate is mainly due to our global position. Our latitude (often called the mid-latitudes) is right in the middle of a meeting point for cold polar air and warm tropical air. These very different air masses are constantly battle with each other causing changeable weather…

A number of factors control our climate…

1. North Atlantic Drift

2. Global Position

North & South Temperatures drop the further an area is from the equator due to the curvature of the earth. In areas closer to the poles, sunlight has a larger area of atmosphere to pass through and the sun is at a lower angle in the sky. As a result, more energy is lost and temperatures are cooler. In addition, the presence of ice and snow nearer the poles causes a higheralbedo, meaning that more solar energy is reflected, also contributing to the cold

3. Prevailing Winds

The prevailing wind is the most frequent wind direction a location experiences. In Britain the prevailing wind is from the south west, which brings warm, moist air from the Atlantic Ocean. This contributes to the frequent rainfall. When prevailing winds blow over land areas, it can contribute to creating desert climates. The prevailing wind is the most frequent wind direction a location experiences. In Britain the prevailing wind is from the south west, which brings warm, moist air from the Atlantic Ocean. This contributes to the frequent rainfall. When prevailing winds blow over land areas, it can contribute to creating desert climates.

4. ‘Maritime influence’ – the effect of the sea

Oceans heat up and cool down much more slowly than land. This means that coastal locations tend to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter than places inland at the same latitude and altitude. Glasgow, for example, is at a similar latitude to Moscow, but is much milder in winter because it is nearer to the coast than Moscow. Oceans heat up and cool down much more slowly than land. This means that coastal locations tend to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter than places inland at the same latitude and altitude. Glasgow, for example, is at a similar latitude to Moscow, but is much milder in winter because it is nearer to the coast than Moscow.

5. Continentality Inland areas away from the influence of the sea (drier, with hotter summers, colder winters) Inland areas away from the influence of the sea (drier, with hotter summers, colder winters)

6. Altitude Locations at a higher altitude have colder temperatures. Temperature usually decreases by 1°C for every 100 metres in altitude. Locations at a higher altitude have colder temperatures. Temperature usually decreases by 1°C for every 100 metres in altitude.

A number of factors control our climate… Make notes on the following using p54: Global Position Global Position North Atlantic Drift North Atlantic Drift Prevailing Winds Prevailing Winds Maritime Influence Maritime Influence Continentality Continentality Altitiude Altitiude

England’s climate can be described as temperate maritime climate, because the Gulf Stream ensures mild, maritime influenced weather. England is famous for its rain and the lush green of its countryside. Average annual rainfall is high in the north, but much lower in central and southern areas. The coldest months are December, January and February, when the temperature is usually between 3-6°C. In July and August, the temperature averages between 16-21°C. Rain falls throughout the year, and the weather in England can sometimes change very quickly. In autumn and winter strong Atlantic weather systems can bring gales and uncomfortable weather with heavy rain, showers or even thunderstorms.