Climate Update July 2013
SCOTTISH CLIMATE UPDATE – one of a series of Climate Updates from Friends of the Earth Scotland based on data from the Met Office
TOP LINES: July was the 2nd warmest and 3rd sunniest July ever recorded in Scotland, it was also the 4th warmest month overall.
July statistics:
Average Temperature: 15.2°C which is 2.2°C above the long-term average (1971-2000). The 2nd warmest July ever after July 2006 and the 4th warmest month ever after July 2006, August 1947 and August 1995 in records going back to 1910. Average Rainfall: 83.1mm, which is 10% drier than the long-term average.Average Sunshine: 205.8hrs, which is 41% higher than the long-term average, the 3rd sunniest July after 1955 and 1989, in records going back to 1929.
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:
“With plenty of sunshine and very high temperatures July was a scorcher but scientists suggest that this kind of summer will be the exception rather than the rule, with soggy summers more likely as the Arctic ice melts and ocean currents change.
“A bit of global warming might sound like a good idea but the reality is that the climate is becoming more chaotic. While we’ve enjoy a pleasant July, the drought continues in the US, with firefighters killed in Arizona wildfires, French grape harvests are under threat and major floods claimed thousands of lives in India.
“The world’s nations have promised new global targets on climate emissions will be set in 2015. Scotland has a good story to tell and we urge the Environment Minister to go to the next climate conference, in Warsaw in November, and make sure people hear about it.”
The year so far
January was slightly warmer and drier than average but not very sunny. February was the 4th sunniest February on record and was cool and dry. March was exceptionally cold and dry, being the 5th coldest and 6th driest March on record. April was cooler and wetter than average but also very sunny, being the 10th sunniest April on record. May was close to average in temperature and sunshine but 50% wetter than average. June was slightly warmer than average.
Notes to Editors
1. Data from the Met Office http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/datasets/index.html with further analysis by Friends of the Earth Scotland.
2. The five warmest years in Scotland since records began are 2006, 2003, 2007, 2004, 2005 (warmest first).
3. FoE Scotland is part of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, an alliance of development, environment and civil society groups aiming for tougher action to reduce emissions
www.stopclimatechaos.org/scotland