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The British climate is moderated by the Atlantic Gulf Stream, and is much milder than that of many places in the same latitude. The climate of Great Britain is generally equable. Winters are especially mild on southwestern coasts, where severe frosts are rare. The seasonal variations in temperature increase eastward. Winter mean temperatures exceed 4 ℃ in the west but are lower in the east. The July mean, on the other hand, is about 18℃ in the southeast of England but falls to 13℃ in northern Scotland. Since the prevailing winds are southwesterly, the Atlantic air streams often bring cloudiness and humidity, and the frequent passage of fronts and depressions ensures very changeable day-to-day conditions. Temperatures fall surprisingly rapidly with increased altitude.

Rainfall occurs throughout the year, there being no marked dry season. In the highland west it may exceed 254 cm per year, but in the eastern lowlands it is only 64 to 76 cm. Sunshine hours in Britain