climate of the UK

Question 1

what is the gulf stream and how does it effect British Climate?

Answer 1

It is a warm ocean current that originates in the gulf of Mexico, travelling N/W towards Europe and the UK as the North Atlantic drift. This therefore heats up Britain’s waters.

Question 2

what is the importance of the canary current?

Answer 2

The canary current brings cool water from the UK and Europe down towards the equator. this means that the warm gulf stream can replace this void, ensuring the UK’s ocean remains temperate.

Question 3

factors that affect UK climate?

Answer 3

LATITUDE–»
LOCATION TO CELLS–»
CONTINENTALITY/MARITIME LOCATION–»Coastal areas are cooler and wetter than inland areas. Clouds form when warm air from inland areas meets cool air from the sea. The centre of continents are subject to a large range of temperatures. In the summer, temperatures can be very hot and dry as moisture from the sea evaporates before it reaches the centre of the land mass.
GULF STREAM–» warms the ocean that warms the land.
RELIEF–»Mountains receive more rainfall than low lying areas because as air is forced over the higher ground it cools, causing moist air to condense and fall out as rainfall.

Question 4

What are the 5 air masses which affect the UK?

Answer 4

POLAR MARITIME
TROPICAL MARITIME
ARCTIC MARITIME
POLAR CONTINENTAL
TROPICAL CONTINENTAL
*maritime = moist                  *continental = dry