Overall
Enriched with greenery from its profusion of grass and shamrocks, Ireland is dubbed the "Emerald Isle." Temperate, damp, and changeable with the abundance of rainfall and a shortage of temperature extremes, best describes Ireland's climate. Koppen's system of climate classification categorizes it as temperate oceanic climate or Cfb. Characteristics include a mild, mid-latitude climate, no dry season, and wet throughout the year. Annually, Ireland's average precipitation ranges from 30 inches along the east coast to 118 inches along the west coast. The ocean current, North Atlantic Drift, broadens the Gulf Stream's warm waters north which provides Ireland its moderate climate. However, this drift, along with Ireland's susceptibility to Siberian/Arctic winds, and its northerly latitude, can create precarious winters.
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| The North Atlantic Drift transports heat through the process of convection (movement of molecules) currents from the seas of South America up to the seas of Ireland. (http://coraifeartaigh.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/heat-transfer/) |
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| Ireland's stunningly green countryside resulting from ample rainfall (https://www.google.com/) |
| Irish villages are nestled within rich green vegetation (also a result of Ireland's frequency of precipitation). Cork, Ireland (https://www.google.com/) |
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| Moss bridges in Ireland The prevalence of moss in Ireland results from their annual relative humidity averaging 83%. The combination of temperature and prevailing water vapor (gas phase of water in earth's hydrosphere) contribute to the higher humidity. (http://pinterest.com/pin/273453008596169946/) |
Fog
Ireland's weather forecast consistently includes fog. Most of the fog hovers inland and in the mountainous regions. Fog generally appears during winter mornings and when high pressure is present. This type of fog constitutes radiation fog. In order for radiation fog to occur, the skies must be clear, there must be little wind, and there needs to be plenty of moisture near the ground. The ground chills air through conduction until the dew point (the temperature below which water condenses and dew forms) occurs.
A foggy day in the capital of Dublin
Radiation fog occurs here because the sun rises (indicative of morning), and clear sky exists.
The trees indicate winter and absence of wind.
A pasture of sheep in County Donegal, Northern Ireland.
This photo also depicts the occurrence of radiation fog.
The fog lingers close to the ground during the morning.
Tornadoes
A rarity in Ireland - tornadoes, but they do occur. These tornadoes work simply. Three major factors need to be present for a tornado to materialize. Step one: There needs to be a strong cold front (a separation between advancing cold and retreating hot air). Step two: A tornado requires a large difference in humidity (a "dry line" dividing moist and dry air). Finally, Step three: A jet stream needs to form (it draws air from the ground). In Ireland, the intensity of tornadoes remains relatively weak, in the range of EF0 and EF3 on the Fujita Scale of tornado intensity.
A distribution of tornadoes that occurred in Ireland between 1950 and 2001
A relatively small number in 51 years confirms the rarity of them in the country.
A tornado that formed in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
This tornado resulted from a collision of a cold and warm front.
It struck on June 10, 2011 due to the current thunderstorm conditions of that time period.
The tornado developed because of inflow into the thunderstorm clouds.
A tornado positioned over water (a waterspout) in Bray, Ireland.
A waterspout forms the same way as a tornado but instead of on land, it forms on water.
The jet stream positions itself on water, not land.
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