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The UK's climate
I can understand the reasons why the climate of the UK varies.
Lesson 3 of 14
New
New
- Year 7
The UK's climate
I can understand the reasons why the climate of the UK varies.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The UK has a temperate maritime climate, which means that it is mild with lots of rainfall.
- The south of the UK is warmer than the North.
- The west of the UK is wetter than the east.
- The east of the UK is warmer in summer and colder in winter.
Keywords
Temperate maritime - a climate with moderate rainfall, mild to warm summers and cool to cold winters
Precipitation - water that falls from the sky as rain, snow, hail or sleet
Latitude - imaginary lines on Earth showing position north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees
Altitude - height above sea level or ground level
Common misconception
The UK’s climate is the same across the country.
Students will understand that the UK’s climate varies between different regions due to latitude, altitude and air masses.
Ensure that students know the UK includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland so they understand where we are referring to.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What direction is air moving at the Equator?
What direction is air moving at the Equator?
Towards Earth
In all directions
Q2.Which of the terms below refers to height above sea level?
Which of the terms below refers to height above sea level?
Latitude
Distance from the sea
Ocean currents
Q3.Put the climate zones in order from the North Pole to the Equator.
Put the climate zones in order from the North Pole to the Equator.
Q4.Match up the temperature zones with the correct definition.
Match up the temperature zones with the correct definition.
Q5.Hot deserts are hot and dry environments. Where are they likely to be found?
Hot deserts are hot and dry environments. Where are they likely to be found?
Equator
Arctic and Antarctic Circles
North and South Pole
Q6.What term refers to the day-to-day conditions of our atmosphere?
What term refers to the day-to-day conditions of our atmosphere?
Climate
Precipitation
Temperature
Climate Graph
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the options best describes the UK's climate?
Which of the options best describes the UK's climate?
Equatorial
Temperate
Desert
Polar
Q2.What is the wettest region of the UK?
What is the wettest region of the UK?
South west
North east
South east
Q3.Which region of the UK is warmest?
Which region of the UK is warmest?
North
East
West
Q4.Match the description of the climate to the right region of the UK.
Match the description of the climate to the right region of the UK.
Q5.Match up the factor that affects the UK's weather to its description.
Match up the factor that affects the UK's weather to its description.
Q6.Match up the name of the air mass to its characteristic.
Match up the name of the air mass to its characteristic.
