warmest year on record in Scotland shaping up

[tropicana]

Climate change blamed for Scotland's warmest year
Thu Nov 20 2003

JAMES REYNOLDS ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENT


THIS year could turn out to be the warmest in Scotland since records began almost a century and a half ago, according to environmentalists.

The campaigning organisation WWF Scotland made the claim after analysing temperature records from the Meteorological Office. According to its findings, three months of this year have so far been classed as exceptionally warm, or a full 2C higher than average, and six months have been warmer than the same months in 1997.

That year holds the record for the warmest since 1861, according to the Met Office’s mainland temperature series of records.

WWF Scotland claimed that climate change due to global warming was to blame.

Richard Dixon, the organisation’s head of policy, said: "The weather is notoriously unpredictable but, despite the cold snap in October, if I were a betting person I would put money on 2003 turning out to be warmer than 1997. This would make it the warmest year since accurate records began 142 years ago.

"Climate change is a growing reality and the biggest environmental threat facing Scotland."

-justin-

[JCT777]

Wow, I had no idea how warm it has been over there.

[stu]

This has been a really "weird" year for Scotish records however.... mant temp max reports have been due to foien effects on the lee sides of the mountains