Weather

• What are the five factors that affect local weather conditions?

  Altitude, air masses, temperature, rainfall, and wind patterns
• How does temperature or rainfall control local weather conditions?

  Temperature and rainfall influence the local climate and weather patterns
• What is the effect of altitude on local weather conditions?

  • Air cools and contracts as altitude increases
  • Water condenses to form clouds
  • The mountains force warm air to rise, causing cooling
  • Air cools by $10^\circ C$ for every 100m gained in altitude
  • Descending air warms and creates drier conditions (rain shadow)
• What is the dominant air mass affecting the UK?

  Tropical Maritime
• What are the expected weather conditions from the Tropical Maritime air mass?

  Mild and wet weather with strong depressions
• What is the source location of the Tropical Continental air mass?

  Sahara
• What weather does the Polar Maritime air mass bring to the UK?

  Rainy and cool weather
• What are the advantages of the Polar Maritime air mass?

  Good for tourism and water sports
• What are the disadvantages of the Tropical Continental air mass?

  Can cause droughts and heat-related issues
• What symbols are used on a weather chart and what do they represent?

  • Precipitation Circles: Drizzle, Rain, Snow, Hail
  • Cloud Cover Circles: Clear Sky, One Okta to Eight Oktas
  • Wind Speed: Calm to 50 Knots or more
• What does widely spaced isobars indicate on a weather chart?

  Low wind speeds
• What weather conditions are typically associated with an anticyclone in winter?

  Clear, frosty skies with cold/light winds
• What are the summer conditions in an anticyclone?

  Dry, light winds, and sunny with occasional thunderstorms
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of prolonged high pressure in summer and winter?

  Advantages:

  • Good for tourism and outdoor activities
  • Increases ice cream sales

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Water shortages and crop failures
  • Hosepipe bans
• What is the expected weather during a prolonged period of high pressure in winter?

  Dry, sunny with few clouds, and cold during the day
• What are the potential health risks associated with prolonged high pressure in summer?

  Increased risk of sunburn and skin cancer
• How does the Coriolis effect influence wind direction in an anticyclone?

  Winds spin clockwise due to the Coriolis effect
• What is the weather like during a Polar Maritime air mass in winter?

  Rainy and cool
• What is the expected weather from the Tropical Continental air mass in summer?

  Hot and dry
• What is the source location of the Polar Maritime air mass?

  Greenland/North Atlantic Ocean
• What are the expected weather conditions from the Tropical Maritime air mass in summer?

  Mild and wet
• What are the characteristics of an anticyclone in summer?

  Clear skies and light winds, usually very warm
• What happens to air as it rises in altitude?

  It cools and contracts
• What is the effect of air descending in altitude?

  It warms and produces drier conditions
• What is a rain shadow effect?

  It occurs when air descends, warms, and creates drier conditions
• What is the expected weather from the Tropical Maritime air mass in winter?

  Rainy and cool
• What are the expected weather conditions from the Tropical Continental air mass in winter?

  Very cold and dry
• What is the expected weather from the Polar Maritime air mass in summer?

  Rainy and cool
• What are the expected weather conditions from the Polar Continental air mass?

  Very cold and dry in winter
• How do the characteristics of air masses affect local weather conditions?

  Different air masses bring varying temperatures and moisture levels
• What is an "Isebar"?

  An "Isebar" is a term related to plotting wind direction on a map.
• What do synoptic weather charts show?

  They show air pressure and other weather-related information.
• What is the most important element shown on synoptic charts?

  Air pressure is the most important element shown.
• How does air pressure affect weather conditions?

  It indicates if the weather will be wet/dry, windy/calm, or hot/cold.
• What does air pressure measure?

  It measures the weight of the air pressing down on the Earth's surface.
• What happens to air when it warms?

  It expands, becomes less dense, and rises, creating low pressure.
• What creates high pressure?

  Cool air contracts, becomes denser, and sinks, creating high pressure.
• What are anticyclones?

  Anticyclones are high pressure systems.
• What are the characteristics of an anticyclone?

  They have widely spaced isobars and light winds.
• What weather does an anticyclone bring in winter?

  It brings clear and frosty nights, and sunny days.