UK weather hazards

• Extreme weather

  Very severe, unusual or out of season weather that can bring dangers to people, property and infrastructure
• UK weather can be impacted due to the multiple air masses that can dominate, each different air mass brings a different type of weather
• Anticyclones

  • High air pressure systems
  • Descending air prevents clouds from forming
  • Brings warm dry weather in summer, cold dry weather in winter
• Depressions

  • Low air pressure systems
  • Rising air causes clouds to form as water vapour condenses
  • Brings wet, windy and unsettled weather
• UK weather hazards

  • Thunderstorms
  • Rain
  • Drought and heat waves
  • Snow and ice
  • Wind
• Thunderstorms

  Bring lightning, rain, hail which can damage property and cause injuries
• Rain

  Can cause flooding, with social, economic and environmental impacts
• Drought and heat waves

  Long periods of hot weather can cause humans and animals to suffer from heat exhaustion, and will deplete water supplies in parts of the UK
• Wind

  Strong winds can cause destruction and disruption to infrastructure