Weather & Climate: The British Isles

Question 1

What type of climate does the UK have?

Answer 1

Cool Temperate Western Maritime (CTWM).

Question 2

Wind Directions

Answer 2

Prevailing wind direction is South Westerly.
This brings rain because it comes from the North Atlantic.
Easterly winds bring dry weather from the continents.

Question 3

Air Masses Affecting The British Isles

Answer 3

Tropical Maritime Air Mass (TMAM).
Polar Maritime Air Mass (PMAM).
Arctic Maritime Air Mass (AMAM).
Polar Continental Air Mass (PCAM).
Tropical Continental Air Mass (TCAM).

Question 4

TMAM

Answer 4

Origin: Low latitudes of the Atlantic Ocean.
Conditions: Warm with high moisture content.
Weather: Thunderstorms due to intense heating of the land combined with high humidity.

Question 5

PMAM

Answer 5

Origin: High latitudes of the Atlantic Ocean.
Conditions: Low temperature, high moisture content.
Weather: Orographic rainfall, depression rainfall.

Question 6

AMAM

Answer 6

Origin: North Pole and Arctic regions.
Conditions: Low temperature, lower moisture content due to shorter passage over sea.
Weather: Snow (Winter) or thunderstorms (Summer).

Question 7

PCAM

Answer 7

Origin: Eurasia.
Conditions: Anticyclone with low temperature and humidity.
Weather: Clear skies with freezing temperatures. Can last for several days as a blocking anticyclone.

Question 8

TCAM

Answer 8

Origin: Sahara, North Africa.
Conditions: High temperature, low moisture content.
Weather: High pressure, heat waves, drought.