Is the British weather unique in the world?

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24305230

Is the British weather unique in the world?

It's often said by laymen that the UK's weather is unique. But what makes it so different from anywhere else?

Whatever you think of the British weather, if you don't like it one day there's always a good chance you might like it the next.

Weather, in meteorological terms, refers to the daily elements like temperature, wind and rain. And in Britain they can all change hour by hour and day by day.

It's this diversity and changeability that makes British weather so distinct, say meteorologists. While temperatures are fairly mild and there are four distinct seasons, you can also get warm weather in the middle of February and freezing rain in the middle of August - or both in one day.

"Other countries might have more dramatic weather," says Dr Liz Bentley, head of the Weather Club at the Royal Meteorological Society. "In India and Pakistan you get monsoon season, but you can usually predict the day it will start and the day it will finish.

"In the UK you sometimes have to look at the weather forecast several times in one morning just to plan a trip out that afternoon. Things can change that quickly."

Many meteorologists call the British weather unique, although some say you could argue the weather in all countries is unique because no two are the same geographically and geologically. But they agree it is hard to find another country in the world with weather that compares to the UK.

So what makes it so distinctly variable?

"Britain's unique weather is all down to the fact it is an island and where it's positioned on the planet, between the Atlantic Ocean and a large land mass, continental Europe," says Helen Chivers from the Met Office. "There is a lot going on meteorologically where we are."

Britain is under an area where five main air masses meet. An air mass is a large body of air that has similar temperature and moisture properties throughout.

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[Clinton Huxley]

Our weather is definitely the most unique.....

[JimC]

Actually, Melbourne has a similar level of changeability and unpredictability...

[Clinton Huxley]

We need an Ashes of Weather Unpredictably - bring it on, Melbourne!

[JimC]

We need an Ashes of Weather Unpredictably - bring it on, Melbourne!

Certainly summer thunderstorms are a clear and present danger...

[Clinton Huxley]

It's a bit of a nuisance when holidaying in the UK. When we go to Cornwall we have to pack clothes for every conceivable weather condition, which barely leaves room for the MHs in the car....

[MrFungus420]

Kind of sounds like Michigan. High of 90 degrees one day, 40 the next.

The best was waking up to 4 inches of snow and it being almost 80 degrees by mid-afternoon.

[Horwood Beer-Master]

Kind of sounds like Michigan. High of 90 degrees one day, 40 the next.

The best was waking up to 4 inches of snow and it being almost 80 degrees by mid-afternoon.

AH, but the point is, was it predicted?

[Hermit]

Actually, Melbourne has a similar level of changeability and unpredictability...

That was one of my early experiences in Australia. We were walking toward the Australian National Art Gallery in the drizzle and the cold early one afternoon, which was then located in Melbourne, when a local spotted our discomfort and asked: " you don't like our weather, do you?" We more or less nodded in unison. He continued: "Just wait a minute." Sure enough, before we reached the gallery, we found ourselves in sweltering heat.

[Animavore]

Sounds just like Irish weather to me,

[Horwood Beer-Master]

Sounds just like Irish weather to me,

Well you are part of the British Isles

[Coito ergo sum]

The Brits clearly have the only proper weather, unlike the paltry, pre-packaged, commercialized, pasteurized processed cheese weather that they have here in Merka.

[Audley Strange]

The Brits clearly have the only proper weather, unlike the paltry, pre-packaged, commercialized, pasteurized processed cheese weather that they have here in Merka.

You beat me to it. I blame Bush!

[Clinton Huxley]

I thought weather had stopped in Merica owing to the Govt shutdown?

[Faithfree]

Actually, Melbourne has a similar level of changeability and unpredictability...

That was one of my early experiences in Australia. We were walking toward the Australian National Art Gallery in the drizzle and the cold early one afternoon, which was then located in Melbourne, when a local spotted our discomfort and asked: " you don't like our weather, do you?" We more or less nodded in unison. He continued: "Just wait a minute." Sure enough, before we reached the gallery, we found ourselves in sweltering heat.

I lived in Hobart for a while - only place I've seen four seasons in ten minutes!