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Anticyclones 
ANTICYCLONES - BRITISH ISLES
Sketch a copy of the anticyclone below. 
Remember anticyclones form 
as a result of air piling up 
aloft. 
This encourages air to 
subside / sink down. 
As the air sinks, it warms, this 
increases the amount of water 
the air can hold, and thus 
keeps the sky relatively cloud 
free. 
Leading edge
BI - ANTICYCLONES
Anticyclones, Highs 
• Anticyclones over the British Isles occur 
frequently, but are less common than 
depressions. 
• Anticyclones give rise to different weather 
conditions, depending upon the time of year. 
• Anticyclones move slowly and are stable 
features. 
• They can be 3000km wide – much bigger than 
depressions 
• High pressure systems tend to be longer lasting 
than depressions, once ‘blocked’ they can last 
up 10 days. They deflect depressions away from 
UK & Western Europe.
Anticyclones are characterised by: 
• High pressure readings in the middle. 
• Far apart isobars = calm wind. 
• The air subsides (sinks). It warms adiabatically 
which leads to a decrease in relative humidity = 
lack of cloud & dry conditions. 
• Air moving away from the centre of the high. 
• Air spins clockwise around from the high. 
• They normal travel to the British Isles from 
mainland Europe. 
• High pressure systems form commonly over 
the Azores – ‘Azores High’.
Anticyclones give rise to different 
conditions, depending on the time of year. 
Winter 
• Cold day time temps, 
from below 0oc to 5oc 
• Very cold night time 
temps – frosts below 
0oc 
• Generally clear skies 
by day & night 
Summer 
• Hot day time temp, 
over 25oc 
• Warm night time 
temps 
• May not fall below 15oc 
• Generally clear skies 
by day & night
Anticyclones give rise to different conditions, 
depending on the time of year. 
Winter 
• Low level cloud may 
linger and radiation 
fog may remain in low 
lying areas 
• Causes high levels of 
air pollution in urban 
areas as pollutants 
are trapped by 
temperature inversion 
Summer 
• Hazy sunshine in some 
areas 
• Early morning mists 
which disperse quickly 
• Heavy dew in the 
mornings 
• East coast has sea frets 
or haars (onshore winds) 
• Thunder storms can 
occur when RH is high 
(Spanish Plume)
Radiation Fog
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Advection Fog
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Summer
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Winter
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BI - ANTICYCLONES

  • 2. Sketch a copy of the anticyclone below. Remember anticyclones form as a result of air piling up aloft. This encourages air to subside / sink down. As the air sinks, it warms, this increases the amount of water the air can hold, and thus keeps the sky relatively cloud free. Leading edge
  • 4. Anticyclones, Highs • Anticyclones over the British Isles occur frequently, but are less common than depressions. • Anticyclones give rise to different weather conditions, depending upon the time of year. • Anticyclones move slowly and are stable features. • They can be 3000km wide – much bigger than depressions • High pressure systems tend to be longer lasting than depressions, once ‘blocked’ they can last up 10 days. They deflect depressions away from UK & Western Europe.
  • 5. Anticyclones are characterised by: • High pressure readings in the middle. • Far apart isobars = calm wind. • The air subsides (sinks). It warms adiabatically which leads to a decrease in relative humidity = lack of cloud & dry conditions. • Air moving away from the centre of the high. • Air spins clockwise around from the high. • They normal travel to the British Isles from mainland Europe. • High pressure systems form commonly over the Azores – ‘Azores High’.
  • 6. Anticyclones give rise to different conditions, depending on the time of year. Winter • Cold day time temps, from below 0oc to 5oc • Very cold night time temps – frosts below 0oc • Generally clear skies by day & night Summer • Hot day time temp, over 25oc • Warm night time temps • May not fall below 15oc • Generally clear skies by day & night
  • 7. Anticyclones give rise to different conditions, depending on the time of year. Winter • Low level cloud may linger and radiation fog may remain in low lying areas • Causes high levels of air pollution in urban areas as pollutants are trapped by temperature inversion Summer • Hazy sunshine in some areas • Early morning mists which disperse quickly • Heavy dew in the mornings • East coast has sea frets or haars (onshore winds) • Thunder storms can occur when RH is high (Spanish Plume)