ABSTRACT

Our understanding of climate and its role in human affairs has changed markedly over recent years, as have climate observation systems and modelling capabilities. Reliance on recent weather statistics to provide a guide for future climate is no longer viable. Evidence of human-induced climate change has placed climate high on political and the media agendas.
Climates of the British Isles provides a comprehensive account of what we know about climate and changing climates at the end of the twentieth century. Integrating the historical and geographical dimensions of climate, the crucial link between past and future climatic conditions is examined through the geographical lens of the British Isles. Climates of past ages are reconstructed and full descriptions of present climate are illustrated by a wealth of graphs, maps and images. Important climate data sets are provided.
Marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the internationally acclaimed Climatic Research Unit, this book distils much of the leading research of present and recent members of the unit and presents an authoritative, accessible view of climatic change and prospects for the next millenium and beyond.

chapter 1|7 pages

Introducing Climate Change

part 1|54 pages

The British Isles Climate

part 2|71 pages

Reconstructing the Past

part 3|161 pages

Monitoring the Present

chapter 7|16 pages

Observing and Measuring the Weather

A Brief History

chapter 11|23 pages

Wind

Resource and Hazard

chapter 12|19 pages

The Air that we Breathe

Smogs, Smoke and Health

chapter 13|34 pages

‘Phew! What a Scorcher'

Weather Records and Extremes

part 4|62 pages

Forecasting the Future