Question: UK Weather

Question 1

Describe the distribution of average temperatures across the UK?

Answer 1

It’s colder in the north than is the south because as you move towards the north pole it gets colder. Towards the Equator is warmer.

Altitude is also a significant factor. High ground is cooler at a rate of a degree per 150m in height.

Distance from the sea is also a factor but in the UK distances are small (maximum 113km from the coast).

The prevailing wind comes 80% of the time from the south west from the Atlantic. This is a warm breeze.

Warm surface currents called the north Atlantic Drift and Gulf Stream warm the western side of the UK.

Over all the chart shows that Britain becomes warmer as you move from north to south.

Question 2

Why would London be so much warmer than Aviemore in the Grampian Mountains?

Answer 2

London is at a more southerly latitude that Aviemore. The closer to the Equator you go the warmer it gets.

London is close to sea level whereas Aviemore is in the mountains. The higher the altitude the colder it gets.

London is a city and is kept warm by tarmac, concrete and heat from cars and buildings.

Aviemore is away from the coast so it does not benefit from the warming effect of the sea that retinas heat longer than land in winter.

Question 3

How might the type of rainfall (its method of formation) differ between London and Aviemore?

Answer 3

London will have more convectional rainfall. This is formed by warm surfaces (buildings, roads) causing evaporation of water. When it builds up in clouds and reaches the dew point precipitation forms.

Aviemore will have more relief rainfall. This is because it is in the mountains. As air is forced up over the high ground it cools and reached the dew point. Precipitation will then occur.

Question 4

Where is the UK / British Isles located?

Answer 4

The British Isles are a group of islands located off the north western coast of Europe.

Britain is the largest island of the group. The Atlantic Ocean sits to the west of the British Isles

Question 5

What is the name for the type of British climate?

Answer 5

The British climate can be described as a humid temperate climate, this means it has warm summers, mild winters and rain throughout the year.

Question 6

What are the 5 factors that influence weather generally?

Answer 6

There are 5 factors that influence climate and weather generally. These are: altitude, latitude, distance from the sea, prevailing wind and ocean currents.

Question 7

What is the altitude of Britain like?

Answer 7

The majority of high ground in Britain is in the west of England and in Scotland.

The eastern side of England is closer to sea level and is in the rain shadow.

For every 150m increase in altitude weather gets 1 degree colder.

Question 8

What is the range of latitude in the UK?

How does latitude affect weather and climate?

Answer 8

The British Isles range from latitude 50 degrees North to latitude 59 degrees North. As you travel towards the north pole the climate gets colder.

As you travel to the equator the climate gets warmer.

Question 9

Why is it colder by the coast and warmer inland?

Answer 9

It is colder in land because of the ‘lasagna’ effect of the sea. The sea takes longer to warm but longer to cool so coast areas stay warmer through the winter. Land heats quickly but cools quickly so areas away from the coast are colder.

Question 10

Which place in Britain is furthest away from the coast?

Answer 10

In Britain you are often near the coast as its a relatively small island. The greatest distance from a coast you can be is 113km (70 miles) at Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire.

Question 11

What is the prevailing wind in the UK. Where does it come from. What % of time does it blow in that direction?

What winds blow in the other 20%?

Answer 11

In the UK the prevailing wind come up from the Atlantic from the south-west. This is a warmish wind that starts from the Caribbean.

This is the wind that blows 80% of the time in the UK. In the other 20% winds from the East and north are cold and a south wind is very warm as it comes up from Africa.

Question 12

How do ocean currents make a difference to weather?

Answer 12

Yes, the North Atlantic drift and gulf stream in the Atlantic warm the western side of the UK. This is a warm surface current.

Question 13

Describe the weather in the North West of Britain:

Answer 13

north west - cool summers, cold winters, heavy rain all year

Question 14

Describe the weather in the South West of Britain:

Answer 14

south west - warm summers, mild winters, heavy rain all year, especially winter

Question 15

Describe the weather in the South East of Britain:

Answer 15

south east - warm summers, cold winters, light rain all year, especially summer

Question 16

Describe the weather in the North East of Britain:

Answer 16

north east - cool summers, very cold winters, steady rain all year

Question 17

Looking at the map, describe what factors influence temperature in the UK:

Answer 17

The British Isles are a group of islands located off the north western coast of Europe. Britain is the largest island of the group. The Atlantic Ocean sits to the west of the British Isles. The British climate can be described as a humid temperate climate, this means it has warm summers, mild winters and rain throughout the year.

There are 5 factors that influence climate and weather generally. These are: altitude, latitude, distance from the sea, prevailing wind and ocean currents.

The majority of high ground in Britain is in the west of England and in Scotland. The eastern side of England is closer to sea level and is in the rain shadow. For every 150m increase in altitude weather gets 1 degree colder.

The British Isles range from latitude 500 North to latitude 590 North. As you travel towards the north pole the climate gets colder. As you travel to the equator the climate gets warmer.

In Britain you are often near the coast as its a relatively small island. The greatest distance from a coast you can be is 113km (70 miles) at Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire. It is colder in land because of the ‘lasagna’ effect of the sea. The sea takes longer to warm but longer to cool so coast areas stay warmer through the winter. Land heats quickly but cools quickly so areas away from the coast are colder.

In the UK the prevailing wind come up from the Atlantic from the south-west. This is a warmish wind that starts from the Caribbean. This is the wind that blows 80% of the time in the UK. In the other 20% winds from the east and north are cold and a south wind is very warm as it comes up from Africa.

Finally, in the ocean the North Atlantic drift and Gulf Stream in the Atlantic warm the western side of the UK. This is a warm surface current.

In combination these factors cause the following climate variations in regions of Britain:

• north west - cool summers, mild winters, heavy rain all year
• north east - cool summers, cold winters, steady rain all year
• south east - warm summers, mild winters, light rain all year, especially summer
• south west - warm summers, mild winters, heavy rain all year, especially winter