April sets European heat records

[CHIMO]

Source: Reuters 2007.

LONDON (Reuters) - This month is set to be the warmest April in Britain since records began nearly 350 years ago and all over Europe tourists are slapping on the sun cream several weeks ahead of schedule.

Britain's Met Office said the average temperature in central England from April 1-25 was 11.1 degrees Celsius, 3.4 degrees above the norm and the highest since records began in 1659.

In the Netherlands, the KNMI weather institute said this month had already broken records as the warmest, driest and sunniest April and noted global warming was one of the reasons.

The Netherlands has not had rain since March 22 and April is set to be the driest in at least 100 years. Farmers have started pumping water from canals and rivers to irrigate their crops.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL2753961620070427

[davekriss]

1. That should make for an exceptional Bordeaux vintage! (nt)

[AnnieBW]

2. So that's where the heat went!

I should have gone to Europe this past month, when I was freezing my ass off here on the East Coast of the U.S.!

[cliss]

3. Ok, an amateur prediction:

This is what I believe could happen in Europe this summer (if the warm weather continues for several months).

1) Expect crop failures. Central part of Europe will be most affected.

2) We will probably see a lot of heat-related deaths, especially among older people/sick. This happened a few years back.

3) The Riviera/Mediterranean area will burn. There were brush fires 2 years ago from the prolonged drought.

4) We should see a lot of unrest, in particular places like Paris where they have large populations of young muslims. Lots of car burnings, riots, nerves & patience worn out. Also Germany has several million muslims, it will be a long hot summer. PLs. note: I am NOT blaming muslims for what could happen. In fact, I have nothing against Islam (I'm an exporter & they are my customers, too). It's just that these areas are experiencing a lot of frustration, and a long heat spell will just push things to a breaking point.

5) What will happen to the grape harvest in C. France, Portugal & Italy? Don't know.

[nealmhughes]

4. Well, at least the streets of Koln won't be under water this spring. . .

Terrible shame about having to irrigate in the Netherlands of all places!

I also wonder how further east in the ag belt will fare? Bulgaria, Hungary, Turkey, etc.?