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CLIMATE & WEATHER
The climate in the UK
is moderate: summers are fairly cool and winters are quite mild.
And despite what you might have heard, British weather is not
all rain and fog it is actually more comfortable, more varied
and more interesting than that. What you can look forward to in
the way of rain, sun, temperature and even daylight depends on
where you will be living.
Although the UK
is quite small geographically, the climate varies from one area
to another. In general, the west is wetter and milder than the
east, and northern areas are noticeably cooler than southern
ones.
Changeable weather
International
students who are used to tropical or equatorial climates are
often intrigued by the sheer variety of the weather in the UK.
Weather in the early spring tends to be especially changeable.
You could be treated to rain, snow, thunder and lightning, hail,
and glorious spring sunshine all in the course of a single
day.
The best way to
cope with these unpredictable changes is to be prepared for
anything. Here is how:
Make a habit of carrying an umbrella. If you buy a collapsible
type, it will be small enough to keep in your backpack or book
bag, or even in the pocket of your jacket.
Wear a waterproof, windproof jacket. There are lots of
different weatherproof jackets available in the UK, so if you do
not already have one, it probably makes sense to wait and buy
one when you get here.
Learn to layer your clothing, especially on the top half of
your body. For example, if you wear a cotton shirt underneath a
woollen sweater and your weatherproof jacket, you will be able
to add or remove layers as the weather changes.
Wear sturdy, well-made shoes with rubber soles and a good
tread they will stop you from slipping in wet or frosty
conditions.
Daylight hours
If you come from
a place closer to the equator, you will also notice that the
amount of daylight changes from season to season in the UK. The
south of England, for example, enjoys about 16 hours of daylight
in June and July but only eight hours in December and January.
The difference between summer and winter daylight is even
greater in Scotland, because its further from the equator. |
