UK Weather Hazards

What weather hazards does the UK face?

Rain - heavy and prolonged
Heatwaves, drought
Snow
Thunderstorms
Gale force winds

Weather

The changing conditions of the atmosphere from day to day

Climate

The average weather over a long period of time (30 years)

What effect does rain have on the UK?

Flooding - damage homes, possessions and transport links

What effect does wind have on the UK?

Damage buildings, uproot trees

Where are winds strongest in the UK?

Coastal areas, particularly the west coast, and in upland areas

What effect does snow and ice have on the UK?

Injurys due to slipping, damage crops, disrupt schools, transport and businesses

What effect does hailstorms have on the UK?

Make driving dangerous, destroys crops

What effect does drought have on the UK?

Water demand increases, crops fail, hosepipe bans may be introduced

What effect does thunderstorms have on the UK?

Lightning can cause fires, most common in the south and east of the UK

What effect does heat waves have on the UK?

Deaths from heat exhaustion, disruption to transport as roads melt and railways buckle

What is happening to the UKs weather?

It is becoming more extreme - temperatures are increasing, more rain, more flooding

1?

Arctic Maritime

2?

Polar Continental

3?

Tropical Continental

4?

Tropical Maritime

5?

Polar Maritime

Tropical Maritime Air Mass

From Atlantic
Warm, moist air brings cloud, rain and mild weather

Polar Maritime Air Mass

From Greenland / Arctic Sea
Wet, cold air bring cold, showery weather

Polar Continental Air Mass

From central Europe
Hot air brings dry summers, cold air brings snow in winter

Arctic Maritime Air Mass

From Arctic
Wet, cold air brings snow in winter

Tropical Continental Air Mass

From North Africa
Hot, dry air