In some parts of the world, in some competitions (ever-declining brain cells limit detailed recollections), if play is lost because of weather, it's made up, to the extent possible, by an earlier start next day (obviously weather permitting) and even succeeding days if needed.

In a summer climate as challenging as the UK's, where the weather can all too readily get in the way of a good result, is there some reason this can't be done (or time added to the third session, light permitting) in Championship matches?

I agree CS, cricket must be unique in sports in that rain/weather delays are not made up. This is one area (of many) where cricket is completely out-of-sync with reality.

Now the day has been shortened to 11-6 up to 30 minutes can be made up if time is lost in a day. If more than 30 mins is lost only 30 can be made up at the end of the day. That happened today btw. BUT any missing time cant be rolled over ... so if a game loses 2 hours at the start of day 1 only 30 mins can be made up on day .... but normal hours would be played on days 2 to 4 ... Actually no time can be made up on day 4 even if there are breaks