The climate of the British Isles Flashcards
Which climate belt does the UK lie in ?
The cool temperate western maritime (CTWM) climate belt.
Why is it that average UK summer temperatures don’t exceed 18 Celsius?
The Atlantic ocean has many cooling effects and as it is water, takes a long time to warm up.
Why do we have mild winters in the UK?
The sea is still warm from the summer and therefore has a warming influence on us. Water has a high heat capacity so takes a long time to cool down.
What is an anticyclone?
A high-pressure system with winds diverging close to the ground. Like a water drop hitting the ground, it spreads out. Anticyclones flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere.
What is climate?
The average weather over an area, using data from the past 30 years. Climate describes the seasonal patten of temperature and precipitation.
What is a depression?
A low-pressure system that blows anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere.
Rising air, water vapour condenses and clouds are produced. Depressions cause precipitation.
Name the 5 air masses that affect the British Isles.
Arctic Polar maritime Polar continental Tropical maritime Tropical continental
What does the Arctic air mass bring?
From the north the artic wind brings:
Extreme cold
Snow in winter and early spring
What does the polar maritime air mass bring?
From the Northwest Atlantic, brings:
Cold moist weather
What does the the polar continental air mass bring?
From the east and brings:
Bitterly cold temperatures in winter
Maybe snow to eastern England
What does the tropical maritime air mass bring?
From the south west, brings:
Mild and wet winter
Cool, moist summer
What does the tropical continental bring?
In summer only, from the south east, brings:
Hot
Dry
Heat wave conditions
How are depressions represented on a weather map?
An area of closed isobars with decreasing pressure as you go towards the centre.
Which two air masses are likely to create a depression?
Polar maritime
Tropical maritime
Draw what happens at a warm front?
Warm air comes in and gradually is forced over the cooler air as it is less dense so floats.
This rise in warm air produces clouds as the water vapour cools and condenses.
–> light rain
