UK climate

The uk is mid latitude between 50-55 degrees N, it doesnt get too hot because the sun is high and doesnt get too cold because there are several hours of daylight. The uk's location is on the northern edge of the ferrel cell, surface winds bring warm air which rises causing depressions and therefore rain throughout the year. The maritime location means there are cool winds blowing form the sea in summer and warm winds in winter so the summer is cooler and winters warmer than in inland locations of the same latitudes. 

Located near the gulf stream means the UK is warmer than areas of the same latitude.

Temperature: 

• warmer in the south due to more insulation and more hours of daylight

Preciptation:

• wetter in the west e.g blackpool = 871mm and cleethorpes = 565mm
• SW winds bring warm wet air from the atlantic ocean - air forced upwards over land, cools and condenses = orographic relief 

Air masses are large volumes of air with a similar temp and water vapour content. They cover a large area and can travel long distances. they are classified by where they form: 

• Artic or Polar air masses - high latitudes so are cooler 
• Tropical air masses - low latitudes so are warmer 
• Maritme air masses - over oceans so high water vapour content 
• Continental air masses - over land so low water vapour content 

The UK is affected by 5 air masses: 

• Artic Maritime - forms over artic ocean, very cold wet air
• Polar continental - forms in siberia, cold dry air and snow
• Tropical continental - forms in africa, warm dry air
• Tropical maritime -  forms over atlantic ocean, warm wet air 
• Polar maritime - forms over the N atlantic ocean, cold wet air 

Wind: 

• stronger in the west ( 21.7 km/h in st Mawgan) due to SW winds being forced over the land 
• Theyre stronger at higher altitudes due to no obstacles affecting them