Patterns
In summer the south of England enjoys
the warmest weather whereas the north is cooler. In
winter the main difference is between east and west.
The west, warmed by the Atlantic, is usually milder
than the east. This mild air is invariably wetter than
the dry air of the east. The far north-west of England,
especially the Lake District, is much wetter than other
regions largely because of the height of the land.
Those who visit or settle in England
are often surprised by the long days that occur in summer
and the short days in December. In northern England
darkness can be as short as four or five hours in June
whereas in January most people go to work in the dark
and come home in the dark. These differences in the
length of daylight are because of the northerly latitude
that England occupies.
Your feelings about the English weather
will, in part, be influenced by the climate you leave
behind. In summary you are unlikely to experience extreme
or unpleasant weather for a prolonged period. Snow rarely
stays on the ground for long. Heat waves rarely persist.
Remember that large cities generate
their own microclimates. The centres of most large cities
are usually much warmer than their outskirts. London
is a particular case. The city is so large that the
temperature rise, as you travel from the surrounding
countryside to the city centre, is very noticeable.
UK,
Britain, England Weather
