Europe had hottest summer for at least 500 years: Swiss researchers

AFP ^ | Tue, Sep 23, 2003

[presidio9]

Europe this year experienced its hottest summer for at least 500 years, providing further evidence of man-made global warming (news - web sites), Swiss university researchers said.

During the crushing heat wave between June and August this year, which triggered several thousand more deaths than usual, average temperatures eclipsed the previous record set in 1757, according to a study by the University of Bern's geography department.

The average temperature in Europe was 19.5 degrees Celsius (67 degrees Fahrenheit), two degrees higher than the average summer temperatures recorded on the continent between 1901 and 1995.

Central Europe and the Alps region were the worst affected by the heat wave, with temperatures up to five degrees higher than average, the study said.

"It is very likely that human activity and greenhouse gases have caused this rise in temperature," said Juerg Luterbacher, who directed the study.

Researchers said they had pieced together a picture of Europe's weather before the 19th century using physics, chemistry and the study of the natural world -- such as trees, whose bark grows thicker with hot weather

They also relied on the writings of monks, many of whom started keeping weather records up to 500 years ago -- and found no evidence pointing to a summer hotter than 2003.

"Monks used to write accurately and regularly about the weather, with indications about grapes harvest or flower blossom," Luterbacher said.

"Climate historians know how to interpret that data and that is how we estimate the temperature of the time," he added.

The researchers found that the number of very hot summers had increased towards the end of the 18th century and the early 19th century.

The overall rise in summer temperatures in Europe has picked up over the last 26 years, with an average rise of 2.8 degrees Celsius between 1998 and 2003. The last decade was the hottest of all, the study said.

In 1757, which set the previous European record, Scandinavia, eastern Europe and Russia experienced a record heat wave, the study added.

The study spanned an area reaching from the Arctic Circle to Crete, and from Iceland to the Ural mountains.

[RightWhale]

In Scandinavia the land is still rebounding from the last ice age. Another 500 years and Europe could be like the Sahara Desert. Or Arabia. Maybe sooner. Camels, date palms, the whole oasis and desert scene.

[Romulus]

Central Europe and the Alps region were the worst affected by the heat wave,

Since I'm planning an alpine trek next year, this makes me especially sad.

[akorahil]

They also relied on the writings of monks, many of whom started keeping weather records up to 500 years ago -- and found no evidence pointing to a summer hotter than 2003.

Wow! I am glad to see that in 1503 many monks were accurately tracking the weather in Europe on an accepted temperature gradient scale (Such as Centigrade or Farenheit-Both invented in the last two centuries...). Thank goodness these researchers found some emperical data to back them up; lest they sound hysterical... < /sarcasm>

[FreedomCalls]

What size SUVs were they driving in the 1500s that caused it to be so hot back then? Did Columbus visit Queen Isabella in a Chevy Tahoe or a Ford Expedition?

[presidio9]

Another 500 years and Europe could be like the Sahara Desert. Or Arabia. Maybe sooner.

According to researchers, in 500 years 300 degreed farenheit will not be an unusual summer temperature.

[RWR8189]

Im sure glad those people limited their green house gas emissions 500 years ago to offset global warming for awhile.

[MEGoody]

Europe had its hottest summer. . .

because of all the hot air coming from France.

[Don Corleone]

Climate historians know how to interpret that data and that is how we estimate the temperature of the time,"

Barbra Striesand! The typical weather forecaster can't tell you tomorrows temperature withinn 2 degrees let alone the temp 500 years ago based on some monks description of a grape harvest.

[presidio9]

Actually, I think Columbus drove a fuel-efficent Pinta.

[FreedomCalls]

Greenland is still pretty much an ice cap, whereas in warmer times it used to support a thriving colony of Viking settlers. It seems to me that Europe is still cooler than it used to be.

[FreedomCalls]

Given that most all of Scotland, part of Ireland, and all of the Scandinavian countries used to be buried under a massive glacier, I think that a little global warming has overall been entirely beneficial to life in Europe -- unless you are a Penguin.

In fact, given that most Northern Europeans wear jackets and sweaters in July, I think a little more global warming is in order. Excuse me while I go fill up my SUV.

[AngryJawa]

"Wow! I am glad to see that in 1503 many monks were accurately tracking the weather in Europe on an accepted temperature gradient scale (Such as Centigrade or Farenheit-Both invented in the last two centuries...). Thank goodness these researchers found some emperical data to back them up; lest they sound hysterical... < /sarcasm>"

You mean to tell me that they didn't have accurate, standardized thermometers 500 years ago? But, but, but that would mean all of that old data would be...useless!

How are we going to scare the bejeezus out of everybody and retard human progress if we can't prove global warming?

[Truth666]

this is the best site in the web for climate data. nuclear holocaust photos
Search for your city and you will be able to compare the average values for each month for the last years !

[wildandcrazyrussian]

If I read the article right, it was pretty hot in 1757. And then it wasn't that hot again for about 250 years. Just go back and see what the government bureaucrats had everybody start doing after passing feel-good legislation in 1758 that made it cooler for 250 years.

[Truth666]

correction : weatheronline once you found the city click climate -> climate robot -> analysis (month).
Now choose one month and a time period.

[CPOSharky]

If Europe is experiencing "global" warming and the US is not, then let the euroweenies stop their carbon dioxide emissions.

[akorahil]

HEY! Don't go getting logical on me now! We need YOUR hysteria, to fuel OTHERS hysteria!

Cripes! If ONE person starts to think for themselves, just think of the terrible effect that could have on our agenda! Why, people may not buy into our line of BS, and where would we be then, hmm?

so Stay HYSTERICAL! AHHHHH! *running around waving hands*

[F.J. Mitchell]

Wonder what those humans did five hundred years ago, to trigger their "Hottest Summer ever" -or was there an even hotter summer five hundred years or so before theirs?

THe more the, blame human actions for global warming, shamsters prate, the more they reveal the assinity of their claim. THey were born five hundred years too late to exploit the beguileable.

[Truth666]

Example New York/JF Kennedy Airport
Max. Temperature in July
1984 1985 1986 1987 Year
27.1 27.3 27.4 28.0 [°C]
1988 1989 1990 1991
27.6 26.5 27.9 28.4 [°C]
1997 1998 1999 2000 Year
28.3 28.5 29.7 26.6 [°C]
2001 2002 2003
26.7 30.1 28.3 [°C]