Geography. Козлова Е.П. - 22 стр.

5.3 Read and translate the text

Weather and Сlimate

      Climatology is concerned with the prevailing state of the atmosphere, including
average climatic values, the frequency of values within stated ranges, weather types
and their characteristics, and the explanation and distribution of both climatic
elements and general climatic types. Of particular geographic interest are the
interrelationships of climatic elements and types with other physical and biologic
features and with human activity.
      The conditions of the atmosphere which determine an area's weather or climate
are temperature, precipitation (rain and snow), atmospheric pressure, winds, humidity
and percentage of cloudiness and sunshine. The average of these conditions over a
period of many years make up an area's climate. Tropical climate reigns over 36.2 per
cent of the earth’s surface, moderate – over 37.2 per cent, cold – over 18.8 per cent,
dry – over 10.5 per cent, snow-bound climate – 7.3 per cent.
      Because the combination of climatic conditions differs from place to place,
geography is concerned with the classification of areas according to climate. Forests
are commonly found where the climate is humid and not too cold for trees to grow.
Grasslands generally develop in subhumid or semiarid regions where the rainfall is
less than that necessary for trees. Deserts occur in places where there is so little
rainfall that even grass has difficulty for growing. Tundras are found where the
climate is cool to cold throughout the year.

The climate of the British Isles

     The British Isles which are surrounded by the ocean have an insular climate.
The climate is moister and more equable than of Central Europe. The three things
that chiefly determine the climate of Britain are: 1) the position of the island in the
temperate belt; 2) the fact that the prevailing winds blow from the west and
southwest; 3) the warm current – the Gulf Stream that flows from the Gulf of Mexico
along the western shores of England.
     The British Isles are situated in the parallels on which Moscow and Kiev are
situated. The climate is mild and strong frosts are rare. Due to the moderating
influences of the sea and the Gulf Stream, the January temperature is higher and the
July temperature lower than in any other country of the same latitude.
     Its hard to say that Britain has typical weather because of the sudden changes
that occur: showers from what was only a few hours before the clear sky; sunshine
that makes you want to leave off most of your clothes followed by winds that set your
wishing for two other coats. There is an abundance of rainfall in the west. As a result,
there are thick fogs, which last for days and weeks at a time during the autumn and
winter. The lack of sunshine hinders the cultivation of many species of plants,
especially grain crops. However, grasses grow all the year round, providing fodder
                                                                                      23