Лекция: The climate of the British Isles

The British Isles which are surrounded by the ocean have an insular climate. The climate is moister and more equable than of Central Europe. The three things that chiefly determine the climate of Britain are: 1) the position of the island in the temperate belt; 2) the fact that the prevailing winds blow from the west and southwest; 3) the warm current – the Gulf Stream that flows from the Gulf of Mexico along the western shores of England.

The British Isles are situated in the parallels on which Moscow and Kiev are situated. The climate is mild and strong frosts are rare. Due to the moderating influences of the sea and the Gulf Stream, the January temperature is higher and the July temperature lower than in any other country of the same latitude.

Its hard to say that Britain has typical weather because of the sudden changes that occur: showers from what was only a few hours before the clear sky; sunshine that makes you want to leave off most of your clothes followed by winds that set your wishing for two other coats. There is an abundance of rainfall in the west. As a result, there are thick fogs, which last for days and weeks at a time during the autumn and winter. The lack of sunshine hinders the cultivation of many species of plants, especially grain crops. However, grasses grow all the year round, providing fodder for cattle.