UK Weather and Climate Factors

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to weather and climate variations in the UK, including factors like convectional rainfall, microclimates, maritime vs. continental climates, and high/low pressure systems.

Weather

The day-to-day condition of the atmosphere.

Climate

The average weather for a place over 30 years.

Convectional rainfall

Warm surfaces heat up the air above them which then rises, cools, forms clouds, and results in heavy rain.

Microclimates

Changes in climate over a small area such as a woodland or lake.

Urban heat island effect

Cities absorb heat leading to increased temperatures.

Maritime climates

Places near the sea where the sea cools summer temperatures and warms winter temperatures.

Continental climates

Places inland surrounded by land that heats up quickly in the summer and cools down quickly in the winter.

North Atlantic Drift (Gulf Stream)

An ocean current that brings warm water to the west coast of the UK, causing milder winter temperatures.

Relief rainfall

Air forced to rise over a mountain will condense, form clouds, and rain in mountainous areas.

High Pressure (Anticyclones)

Bring stable air conditions with little cloud or rain, clear skies in winter, and hot temperatures in summer.

Low Pressure (Depressions)

Move eastward from the Atlantic across the UK, bringing frontal rainfall and strong winds.