Climatic Variations Within UK

Question 1

How does wind vary?

Answer 1

• Stronger on west side of UK as south- westerly surface winds travel over the ocean with very few obstacles to obstruct or slow them
• Once they have made landfall they are slowed by topography including mountains
• stronger at higher altitudes as fewer obstacles

Question 2

How does temperature vary?

Answer 2

• South = more insolation receive as closer to continent and , in comparison to the north, closer to the equator
• EG - Cornwall = 13.6 degrees
• EG - Scotland = 9.3 degrees

Question 3

How does the coast and inland differ?

Answer 3

• Coast is warmed by sea (NAD) and south - westerly winds (warm)
• inland has little warming effect as no sea and winds can be obstructed

Question 4

How does precipitation vary?

Answer 4

• Wetter in west than east
• South-westerly surface winds bring warm, moist air from the Atlantic.
• Forced to lift by topography and cooling and condensing occurs
• Orographic/ relief rainfall occurs
• East UK = precipitated out
• East of mountains = rain shadow