This weather was caused by TROPICAL CONTINENTAL Air Mass bringing stable ANTICYCLONE Conditions to the UK. The synoptic chart below illustrates this.
notice the position of the JET STREAM.
Key Questions: But what were the WEATHER HAZARDS associated with this High Pressure System and were exactly were the most extreme conditions?
Read a BBC extract here
Weather Hazard 1# DEATH
In the most extreme cases continuous periods of hot weather can lead to death. Within the UK, during the summer of 2006, 26 people died as a direct result of heat exahustion or over-heating. Across Europe, the situation was much worse - read the BBC article here.
Weather Hazard 2# DROUGHT
Many parts of the UK experienced moderate to high levels of drought. The SE and central areas of England were effected most.
Image below shows a dried up reservoir in West Sussex
An Indirect effect of Drought (water shortages) is the dreaded HOSE-PIPE Ban. Find out where and why such a ban is imposed. Imagine a hot summer without being able to water your garden or wash your car. Now imagine being a FARMER!
Weather Hazard 3# Air Pollution
London, Liverpool and Birmingham experience very high levels of NO2, represented by the pink areas.
The lack of wind and rain meant NO2 emissions from vehicle exhausts and power plants were able to build up in the stable atmospheric conditions.
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