uk extreme weather

• Depressions


  An area that has low atmospheric pressure. Air rising causes the formation of clouds, which brings rainfall. Depressions often move eastwards across the UK, bringing changeable weather as they travel.
• Anticyclones


  Areas of high pressure which form when cool air sinks. Anticyclones spin around in a clockwise direction. Anticyclones make skies clear and cause different weather in summer and winter. In summer, anticyclones bring hot, sunny weather. During winter, anticyclones cause cold weather including fog and frost.
• On average, it rains one in three days in the UK. Highland areas to the west receive the most annual rainfall compared to the low-lying areas in the east. The southwest prevailing winds bring moisture from the Atlantic Ocean.
• Types of rainfall in the UK


  • Relief rainfall
  • Convectional rainfall
  • Frontal rainfall
• Relief rainfall


  1. Warm, moist air rises over mountains

  2. Air cools and condenses, forming clouds

  3. It rains

  4. Air descends and warms
• Convectional rainfall


  1. Sun heats the land and the air above

  2. Warm air rises, cools and condenses, forming clouds

  3. Rain can then occur
• Frontal rainfall


  1. Warm air forced to rise over cold air

  2. Condensation forms clouds

  3. Heavy rain along the front
• The UK's weather is becoming more extreme. Some examples of extreme weather in the UK include heavy rain, gales, floods, heavy snowfall, thick fog, heat wave, and drought.
• Climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
• Flood alert

  Flooding is possible. Be alert.
• Flood warning

  Flooding is expected. Immediate action required.
• Severe flood warning

  Severe flooding. Danger to life.