Regional climatic differences in the United Kingdom are dominated by the Atlantic Ocean. The western side of the United Kingdom is, being closest to the Atlantic, generally the mildest, wettest and windiest region of the UK. As its temperatures are most under the moderating effect of the Atlantic, temperature variations here are seldom extreme.

Eastern areas are by contrast drier, cooler, less windy and also experience the greatest daily and seasonal temperature variations.

The various regions of the UK are under the influence of the various air masses to varying degrees:-

• The northeast is most under the influence of the continental polar air mass, which brings cold dry air.
• The south and southeast is most under the influence of the continental tropical air mass, which brings warm, dry air.
• The south west is most under the influence of the maritime tropical air mass, which brings warm moist air.
• The north west is most under the influence of the maritime polar air mass, which brings cool moist air.
• The proximity of a place to these air masses greatly determines the climate of it.
  
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  Page 1 - Introduction / Overview
  Page 2 - Seasons
  Page 3 - Regions (Current page)
  Page 4 - Sunshine & Clouds
  Page 5 - The Atlantic Ocean
  Page 6 - Winds
  Page 7 - Rainfall
  Page 8 - Temperature
  Page 9 - Severe weather
  Page 10 - Climate history

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