This concept will come up again in other parts of the course so it is worth your while making sure you fully understand this concept.
Key facts:
Exam Question Focus
Here is a full mark answer to an exam question about this content:
Explain how the global atmospheric system affects the weather and climate of the UK using key terminology. (6 marks)
It is often cloudy and wet in the UK. This is because the UK is located close to the boundary of cold polar air moving for from the north and warm sub-tropical air moving up from the south. The boundary between these air masses is unstable. This means that there is rising air due to low pressure which means that the rising air cools, condenses and forms clouds and rain. The UK also gets snow and cold winter weather. This is because cold polar air from the north moves down over the UK. In summer it can be warm and wet because surface winds from the south-west bring wet and warm conditions. |
Key tips for this question: •Use key terms such as the names of air masses (e.g: sub-tropical) and high and low pressure. •Write about both summer and winter. Don’t just focus on one season. •Explain your points •Using the location of the UK to support your points. |