The Climate Of The British Isles Flashcards
What is the main factor that influences the climate in the British isles
Latitude and it’s maritime position
Where does the UK lie
Within the cool temperate western maritime (CTWM)
Summarised climate of the British isles
Not extreme
Precipitation throughout
Unpredictable
Why is the UK weather system unpredictable
Dominance of low pressure systems
Mean summer UK temperatures
Lower than average for the latitude
But can reach 30 degrees
Why is the UK cooler than average in the summer
Cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean
Why is the UK warmer than average in the winter
Warming influence of the sea and ensure a year round growing season
Average range of temperature within the CTWM
Relatively small but increases with distance from the west coast
Average range temperature for Plymouth, Devon
10 degrees Celsius
Average temperature range for Cambridge, East Anglia
14 degrees Celsius
How much precipitation can upland areas reach
2,500 mm
How much precipitation can lowland areas reach
500 mm
Why is the summer in the U.K. Generally the driest season followed by winter
Because high pressure weather systems (anticyclones) are more likely to become established in these seasons and block the approaching fronts, deflecting them to the north or south
Where does the UK generally receive wind from
Air streams from the west, however easterly winds do occur. These generally bring spells of dry weather
Wind in autumn
Can be strong and gales are common
What are the strong winds in autumn influenced by
Low pressure weather systems, where rising air in the centre of the low results in a steep gradient on the group surface, causing air to rush in to replace what has risen
Define anticyclone
A high pressure weather system with diverging air near the ground. Winds in the northern hemisphere flow clockwise in the system and the weather is dry
Define climate
The average weather over an area, usually taken from records of the last 30 years. Climate describes the seasonal pattern of temperature and precipitation.
Define cool temperate western maritime climate (CTWM)
The seasonal pattern of weather experienced in the mid latitudes (between 45 and 60 degrees) on the western side of continental land masses
Define depression
A low intensity cyclone or low pressure system, frequently experienced in the CTWM climate. This weather system is associated with rising air, wind and precipitation. In the northern hemisphere winds blow in an anti-clockwise direction towards the centre of the low pressure.
Define weather
Day to day state of the atmosphere
