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Ireland's Climate Influences

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Ireland's Climate Influences

Use the climate data and evidence to investigate why Ireland has a mild, wet and often windy climate. Answer in complete sentences where needed.

Read the evidence

A mild maritime climate is influenced by the ocean, winds and ocean currents. The west of Ireland is generally wetter than the east because moist Atlantic air rises over uplands and cools, producing rain. Ireland's weather can change quickly as Atlantic weather systems move across the island.

1.Which direction do the prevailing winds that influence Ireland usually come from?

North-east
South-west
South-east
North

2.Complete the explanation: Ireland lies on the edge of Europe beside the Ocean, so many weather systems arrive from the west.

3.Which ocean current helps keep Ireland milder than many places at a similar latitude?

Labrador Current
North Atlantic Drift
Canary Current
Oyashio Current

Month

West coast

East coast

January

180 mm

70 mm

July

120 mm

60 mm

October

200 mm

80 mm

4.In October, how much more rainfall does the west coast receive than the east coast? Show the subtraction.

5.Explain why the west coast is usually wetter than the east coast. Include the role of Atlantic air and uplands.

Weather detective challenge

Use your knowledge of air masses and climate influences to interpret each clue.

6.A winter day in Dublin is 8°C, with light rain and a wind from the Atlantic. Which air mass is the best match?

Polar maritime
Tropical continental
Continental arctic
Tropical continental from eastern Europe

7.A forecaster says a polar maritime air mass is approaching Ireland. Predict its likely temperature, rainfall and wind conditions.

8.True or false? Ireland usually has a smaller annual temperature range than a similar-latitude inland location because the surrounding ocean heats and cools slowly.

TrueFalse

9.Imagine a major warm Atlantic current weakened. Describe one possible effect on Ireland's climate, and explain why it might happen.

10.Choose the best conclusion from the rainfall data: which coast is wetter in all three months, and what does this suggest about Ireland's climate influences?