Weather systemsWeather

Local weather in the UK is affected by various factors including latitude and relief, the five main air masses and depressions and anticyclones which produce distinctive weather characteristics.

Part ofPhysical environments

Weather

Our weather is affected by a number of factors: latitude, relief, aspect and distance from the sea.

Images showing how weather is affected by factors such latitude, relief, aspect and distance from the sea
  • - places closer to the equator are usually warmer, and places nearer to the and South Pole are colder.
  • - places located on flat low-lying land are warmer and places higher up, ie mountains, are colder and wetter.
  • - places which are south-facing are warmer and places which are north-facing are colder.
  • Distance from the sea - places nearer to the sea are mild and wet, and places further from the sea are drier, but temperatures are more extreme.