CLIMATE IN UK

 The Atlantic Ocean has a significant effect on Britain’s climate. Although the British Isles are as far north in latitude, they have a mild climate throughout the year. This is due to the Gulf Stream, a current of warm water that flows up from the Caribbean past Britain. The southwesterly winds brings moisture and moderating temperatures to the British Isles, this makes UK warmer in winter and cooler in summer than other areas at the same latitude. Temperatures rarely exceed 32 C  or drop below -10 C.

Winds blowing off the Atlantic Ocean bring clouds and large amounts of moisture to the British Isles. It rains year-round, and in the winter the rain may change to snow, particularly in the north. It snows frequently in the south, and is likely to be wet, slushy and short-lived.

The mild, wet climate ensured that forests rich in game, as well as rives and streams abundant with fish, were available to prehistoric hunters and gatherers. Winter in the UK is generally cool, wet and windy season. During periods of light winds and high pressure frost and fog can become a problem and can pause a major hazard for drivers on the roads.

Spring is generally a calm, cool and dry season. However, as the sun rises higher in the sky and days get longer, temperatures can rise relatively high and thunderstorms and heavy showers can develop.

Summer is a dry season but rainfall totals can have a wide local variation due to localized thunderstorms which mainly occur in southern, eastern and central areas. Autumn in UK is notorious for being unsettled. The cool polar air meets the warm air of the tropics and produces an area of great disturbance along which the UK lies. When the air is particularly cold, significant amounts of condensation results, producing clouds which eventually condense bringing rain to the UK.

Regional climatic differences in the United Kingdom are dominated by the Atlantic Ocean. The Western side of the United Kingdom is, generally the mildest, wettest and windiest region of the UK. The average annual amount of sunshine for the United Kingdom is relatively low and around 2/3 days are partly cloudy, occasionally with little sun at all. On occasions blocking anti cyclones may move over near the UK and may persist for weeks or even months. The cool dry air often result in clear skies and  few clouds, bringing frosty nights in winter and can pose a major hazard for drivers and air craft.