The UK has a temperate maritime climate. The Atlantic Ocean keeps winters mild and summers cool compared with other countries at the same latitude, and the prevailing south-westerly winds bring frequent rain, especially to the west of the country. Snow is common in winter in Scotland and on higher ground, but rare in lowland England in most years.
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The four seasons are clearly marked: a mild spring (March to May), a warm summer (June to August), a cool autumn (September to November) and a cold winter (December to February). Average temperatures range from about 1 °C in winter to 22 °C on hot summer days; the highest UK temperature on record exceeded 40 °C in July 2022.
You may be asked which side of the country gets the most rain (the west) or what type of climate the UK has (temperate maritime).
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