European Summers Hottest In 500 Years

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 3-5-2004 | Roger Highfield

[blam]

European summers hottest in 500 years

By Roger Highfield, Science Editor
(Filed: 05/03/2004)

European temperatures over the past few summers have been the highest for more than 500 years, says a survey published today.

The summers between 1994 and last year appeared to comprise the hottest series of consecutive summers in half a millennium, says the study, which provides evidence of the extent of climate change across Europe.

Noctilucent clouds over Finland: thought to be a tell-tale sign of global warming

Dr Jurg Luterbacher and colleagues from the University of Bern also found that last summer was by far the hottest for at least half a millennium, and that the 30-year averages of winter and annual mean temperatures between 1973 and 2002 were the highest over the same period.

In Science, the team presents a "high resolution reconstruction" of temperature patterns back to AD 1500, based on tree rings, ice cores and other evidence, to determine trends, extremes and seasonal and annual mean temperatures for Europe.

The information will help scientists detect whether recent events mark an unusual degree of climate change. The team said that previous temperature reconstructions spanning the past 1,000 years have not provided this same level of seasonal and geographic detail.

For example, the new study shows how the hot summer of last year in many European areas marked a much bigger variation from the climate norm than seen in more northerly latitudes. It would therefore be expected to have a much bigger impact on the regional environment, economy and society, as shown by the heat-related deaths recorded in France and Britain.

By one estimate, 2,000 people were killed by the heatwave in England and Wales in August.

[blam]

Global warming ping.

[TopQuark]

2,000 people were killed by the heatwave in England and Wales in August. These people died of socialism, just as 15,000 last year in France (more socialism, hence more deadly).

Go check the temperatures in Chicago in the same time period --- and I am not even talking about Texas, say.

[Paladin2]

Just have them quit using oil and send it over here. It was cold this winter and gas prices are too high. That should fix problems in both places.

[Paladin2]

Just have them quit using oil and send it over here. It was cold this winter and gas prices are too high. That should fix problems in both places.

[Texas Eagle]

By one estimate, 2,000 people were killed by the heatwave in England and Wales in August.

First, is that the total number of people who died in those two countries for the month or is that on top of those who died of other causes?

Second, what exactly constitutes a "heatwave" in England? If the mercury hits 70 degrees Fahrenheit, is that a heatwave?

Yeah, yeah. I know they use Celsius or Centigrade or some such foolishness, but I don't know what 65 degrees Fahrenheit would be in Celsiuses or Centigrades.

[Paladin2]

Now I see how impatience causes double posts, LOL.

[ChadGore]

Well, liberal logic dictates that we must tax cow farts in New Zealand.

[expat_panama]

So they're finally admitting that it's colder now than it was 500 years ago when they didn't even have SUV's. Finally they're admitting the whole Kyoto bit was wrong. Thank heavens!

[rickmichaels]

Perhaps the thermometer going up a few degrees and making their already nasty armpits stink even worse will finally convince the French to use soap and deodorant.

[Auntie Dem]

If methane is a greenhouse gas, then the euro trash are adding to global warming every time they put forth this stupid politically motivated theory. (Intellectual flatuence).

How can tree rings tell the temperature acurately? If it was a warm but dry year will the rings be thicker or thinner than a somewhat cooler and wetter year? What if cow droppings were left around the roots of the tree for a certain period of time, would that make thicker tree rings regardless of temperature?

Enquiring minds want to know.

[concerned about politics]

European temperatures over the past few summers have been the highest for more than 500 years, says a survey published today.

Probably because they removed God from their culture. He's trying to fry them like a fever would fry the flu.

[LibWhacker]

Just another of many reasons not to buy their wines (particularly the recent vintages) -- unless you like cooked wines. A lot of their cellars and caves aren't refrigerated and wines stored near the entrances are being cooked during these hot summers. Been going on for a couple of years now. Naturally, they then crate them up and send them to the "dumb" Americans. Don't be fooled! Stay away from European wines unless you're certain of its provenance. And stay away from French wine in any event!

[metoooo]

lets pray for a cold european summer...

[Mike Darancette]

Dr Jurg Luterbacher and colleagues from the University of Bern also found that last summer was by far the hottest for at least half a millennium,

What about 502 years ago?

[concerned about politics]

Just another of many reasons not to buy their wines vinigars.

[backhoe]

A question in all seriousness- how plentiful, and expensive, are window A/C units over there? A heat pump is even more versatile, but costs a little more in the States.

We just convinced my Mother-in-law to replace her aging window AC with a heat pump ( she's too feeble to light the old Seigler oil heater she used for decades ) and she loves it. Cleaner, and it saves about $100 a month on utilities bills.

[greasepaint]

Don't believe what Europeans say.
They try to put rules on everyone else, then they ignore those same rules.
Read this BBC story about the situation in Europe.
When Europeans discuss global warming, they want someone
else's money.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/science/nature/3253476.stm

[Moonman62]

It would therefore be expected to have a much bigger impact on the regional environment, economy and society, as shown by the heat-related deaths recorded in France ...

I remember that. All the surrender monkeys wheeled grandma up to the attic with no air conditioning, then went on vacation. The hospitals did no good, because they were all on vacation too.

[blam]

As the fresh water melt continues to accumulate in the North Sea, it will eventually (as quick as two years time) stop the Gulf Stream and we'll encounter another Younger Dryas period and everyone who doesn't have an SUV will freeze.