Chapter 9: Extreme weather
England is classified as having "temperate oceanic climate"with very few cases of extreme weather. However it is noted that in 1975 the country experienced high temperatures of roughly 95 degrees and suffered drought and fire danger (Peel). Also long hot summers in 1911, 1976, 2003 and 2006 and long cold winters where caused by anti-clones. In the 1950's there were reports of severe flash floods brought on by incredibility heavy rainy winters. England also experienced a storm serge brought upon by the North Sea that caused the death of over 300 people (UK Climate). Thunderstorms have also been common more in the south than the north averaging around 14-19 days a year to the laters 3 days a year (Days of Thunder).
Peel, M. C. and Finlayson, B. L. and McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11: 1633–1644.
"UK climate - Extremes - Met Office".
"Days of Thunder Annual Average". Met Office. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
Oh my goodness, England has so much extreme weather. It is so sad to hear that a storm serge cause over 300 deaths! It is crazy to think about how nature can do so much damage. It is like no one can ever be too sure of what mother nature has in store for them. I am glad people are finding out more and more ways to help predict these events and see patterns that happen to better prepare people for danger and decrease the number of deaths and damage by these natural disasters.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it may sound like a cliche, flooding/heavy rain/storms seem very common in the UK in general. No surprise there. Also, like in most Europe in the last summers, I do remember the heat waves as well.. Looking in to this more, I just saw they are having a heat wave right now!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uk-weather-britain-bask-easter-7552526