Climate chaos continues across the globe- UK set for hottest May in 350 years

May 16, 2011 – LONDON – A heat-wave lasting a fortnight is on its way to the UK as forecasters predict hot weather sweeping in from Europe. Despite cooler conditions that are expected this week, this month looks set to be the hottest May since records began 353 years ago. From next Saturday forecasters believe we will see temperatures of 29C on a regular basis over the next fortnight. While many people will be celebrating the continuous warm and dry weather, fears are growing that conditions have reached crisis point. Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has called for an emergency drought summit due to take place today. So far, May has been 2.6C warmer than average with central England recording 13C – already ranking May inside the top six per cent of hottest months since records began in 1659. Ms Spelman will meet with members of the water industry body Water UK, the National Farmers’ Union, the Environment Agency and Natural England. Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Positive Weather Solutions, said: ‘This is an astonishing year so far and may well continue to turn up more surprises. May is outperforming expectations, as did March and April. ‘There will be some rain during the rest of May in the north and west, but not nearly enough to stave off drought concerns. ‘We expect high pressure to build again during late May and through to the second week of June, with warm temperatures and possible humidity leading to thunderstorms.’ Farmers are beginning to feel the strain with food production threatened without much needed rain. –Mail UK

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