Summer tourism

In the summer, the south is sunnier and warmer that the north and atracts large numbers of visitors. In 2000, visitors to the SW of England spent £6.4 billion and supported 235,000 jobs.

Winter tourism

Scotland can be cold and wet in the winter, but is the only location in the UK that can support skiing. There are five main centres attracting half a million visitors a year. It provides 3000 jobs and earns £30 million.

Crop farming

Climate is an important factor in determining the types of farming that can prosper. Conditions for growing wheat and barley exist in the south and east on England.

Hill sheep farming

The highlands of Scotland are wet and cold. Farmers cope with this by farming sheep that can handle the difficult conditions.

Water supply

Most people live in the south east. However, most rain fals in the north and west. Therefore water has to be held in reservoirs and transferred to the areas that need it.

Flooding

Recent changes in weather patterns have made the problems greater. Early warning systems and flood prevention schemes are used to reduce the threat.

Shopping

Shopping in cold, wet, windy conditions is not pleasant. Covered shopping malls have solved the problem by providing a warm, dry environment.

Snow and ice

Heavy snow and ice can disrupt people's normal way of life. Scottish highlands and eastern England are most at risk. Businesses lose millions of pounds when snow and ice occurs.

Storms and gales

The Great gale of 1987. In Windsor, Berkshire, trees were uprooted, garages were flattened, fences blown away and road signs bent backwards. Caravan parks were wrecked. Light aircraft were also blown over on  airfields.

In total, 13 people were killed and an estimated 3 million electricity customers were without power for up to a two weeks. DIY stores reported unprecedented demand for tools and materials to repair the damage to property and trees. Industry was disrupted and insurance companies had to handle masses of claims