Droughts in Europe during the summer are more severe now than at any time in the past two millennia, a new study reveals. Researchers studied ‘chemical fingerprints’ – carbon and oxygen isotopes – in European oak trees to reconstruct summer climate over the last 2,110 years. They found that drought conditions suddenly intensified in 2015 beyond … Read more
WHAT CAUSED THE HEATWAVE? The heatwave was triggered by the build-up of high pressures over Europe over the past few days, leading to the northward movement of warm air from Europe over the UK. ‘At this time of year southerly winds will always lead to above average temperatures,’ said University of Reading meteorologist Peter Inness. ‘Air from … Read more
An abundance of spring flowers, such as daffodils, crocuses and tulips, could be fuelling summer droughts, scientists claim, based on new computer simulations. The unusually warm and sunny conditions experienced in Spring 2018 boosted flower growth, and therefore depleted moisture in the soil just before summer hit. This plant-driven transfer of water to the atmosphere … Read more