Air Masses and Frontal Systems of Dublin, Ireland

Picture showing the types of air masses that affect Ireland
and the rest of the UK
source: http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/uk_weather_climate.html

The isles of the U.K. are affected by 5 air masses throughout the year.  The types of air masses are arctic maritime (mA), polar continental (cP), polar maritime (mP), tropical continental (cT) and tropical maritime (mT).  These 5 main types of air masses can affect Ireland year round and influence the weather patterns seen on a day to day basis.  The mA air masses, originating in the Arctic, brings cold, snowy weather during the winter.  The cP air, originating from northwestern Europe, brings cold, dry air year round to the area.  The mP air masses coming from Greenland and Canada, brings cold, wet weather throughout the year.  The forth air mass is tropical continental which comes from southern Europe and north Africa, brings hot, dry weather in the summer.  The last air mass is tropical maritime which comes from the south west, brings warm, wet weather year round. 


Ireland is effected regularly by both warm and cold fronts.  The figure below shows a weather map of the U.K. for today, Friday, November 16th, 2012.  It shows an incoming cold front coming from the northwestern polar maritime air.  It also shows an incoming warm front coming from the southeastern tropical continental air mass.  The advancing cold front is pushing the warm air up rapidly causing precipitation and colder temperature (as seen in the five day forecast).  There could also possibly be a stationary front in the coming days if the cold and warm fronts meet.  If the stationary front does occur, clouds and precipitation could last for days in the area (also seen in the five day forecast 

The five day forecast for Dublin shows high chances
of rain with lots of clouds, which is typical
of a stationary front
Source:http://www.weather.com/weather/5-day/EIXX0014

Weather map of the UK showing a cold and warm
front coming toward Ireland
Source:METEOROLOGICA

There are a few factors that influence the weather patterns of Dublin, Ireland.  Like I stated in my previous post, the North Atlantic Ocean currents runs from the Caribbean, across the Atlantic Ocean, bringing warm moist air along with it.  This warm water current influences the tropical maritime air masses that bring precipitation to the rolling green hills of Ireland.  Also, strong winds on the western coast influence wetter weather on the west coast and the coastal mountains block Dublin from much of the rainfall that hits western Ireland.

The five main air masses that affect Ireland can be seen almost year around.  The temperature and precipitation are directly influenced by these five air mass types.  Like most places in the mid-latitudes, Ireland experiences all types of frontal systems which also affect the weather patterns.  There are also a few geographical factors that influence the weather.  All these factor directly shape the mild weather and climate of Ireland. 



Sources: 

http://nsidc.org/arcticmet/factors/pressure.html

http://www.weather.com/weather/5-day/EIXX0014

http://coolgeography.co.uk/GCSE/Year11/Weather,Climate/Air%20masses/air_masses.htm