Why Does It Rain More Here?

A Year 3 Weather Adventure Exploring UK Rainfall Patterns

Think About It!

Have you noticed it rains more in some places? Why might the Lake District be wetter than London? What makes rain fall from the sky?

What Makes Rain?

Water evaporates from oceans and rivers It rises up into the sky as invisible water vapour When it gets cold high up, it turns back into tiny water drops These drops join together to make clouds

Meet the Mountains!

Mountains are like giant walls in the sky When wind hits a mountain, it has to go up As air goes up, it gets colder Cold air can't hold as much water, so it rains!

UK Rainfall Map

Wet vs Dry Places

{"left":"Lake District - 2000mm rain per year\nScottish Highlands - very wet\nWales mountains - lots of rain\nWest coast - faces Atlantic Ocean","right":"London - 600mm rain per year\nEast Anglia - quite dry\nSoutheast England - less rain\nEast coast - sheltered by mountains"}

The Atlantic Ocean's Role

The Atlantic Ocean is west of the UK Warm, wet air blows in from the ocean This air hits the western mountains first Most rain falls on the west side

Rain Shadow Experiment

Use a hair dryer as 'wind' Hold a book as a 'mountain' Spray water to show 'rain' falling on one side Notice how the other side stays dry!

Weather Wisdom

"The mountains catch the clouds and squeeze out the rain, leaving sunny skies for the other side!"

What Have We Learned?

Mountains make air rise and cool down Cool air drops its water as rain Western UK gets more rain from Atlantic winds Eastern UK is drier because mountains block the rain Geography affects our weather patterns!