It may have seemed like a wash-out, but last year was the third-warmest year ever recorded in Scotland.
CHARLOTTE OTTER
It may have seemed like a wash-out, but last year was the third-warmest year ever recorded in Scotland.
Despite heavy flooding throughout Britain, May 2007 was only the fourth wettest to date, whilst April wins prizes for being the hottest ever and December for being the second sunniest since records began in 1914.
However, 2006 still holds the prize for being Scotland's hottest year ever, closely followed by 2003, meaning that these last five years have been the warmest yet.
With 2007 also being the year in which the world's governments agreed for international action on climate change, WWF Scotland is calling on the government to introduce a climate action bill which will include targets for the reduction of greenhouse gases and emissions.
According to Dr Dan Barlow, acting director of WWF Scotland, the figures are simply a taste of what is to come.
He said: "The changes in our weather patterns that we are witnessing are in line with scientists' predictions that Scotland will become warmer and wetter. Climate change is a growing reality, and is the biggest threat we face.
"Both the Scottish and UK governments promised Climate Change Bills to help tackle this and it is critical that we take the lead in 2008 by bringing forward a Scottish Climate Bill that enshrines in statute targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 3% each year and deliver an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050."
Meanwhile despite the record high in temperatures, ski operators said yesterday they were hoping for a bumper season after "the best snow for years" fell on Scotland's slopes. Thousands of skiers and snowboarders have already flocked to the country's mountains after all five resorts opened early.
Most runs and nursery slopes are complete and some operators are already reporting record numbers through their gates. Glenshee Ski Centre said by this weekend it expected around 8000 people to have made the most of its pistes - the equivalent of the total number for its entire ski season in 2007.
Aileen Lawrence, one of the company's directors, said: "This is the best snow we have seen for years.
"We have had a really good start and judging by the forecast it looks as if the snow is going to last. We have had lots of snow in previous years, but then it has become mild, wet and windy. We hope that isn't going to happen this year."
Cairngorm Mountain opened on December 1, making it the only resort in Scotland where skiing has been possible all the way through the holidays.
Chief executive Bob Kinnaird said conditions had been unpredictable in recent years, so they were pleased to be able to open before Christmas. At the Nevis Range, skiers were able to ski right down to the resort's restaurant and nursery slopes were open for beginners.
The Lecht said it had "excellent snow conditions" and all its runs were complete.
The Glencoe Mountain Resort's website reported that conditions were so good that visitors could ski from its slopes to the car park.
