Vic: Temperatures, climate extreme rise around globe - WMO

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2008
Vic: Temperatures, climate extreme rise around globe - WMO

New figures for 2008 show it's been the driest and hottest year on record for parts
of Australia .. and is also likely go down as the planet's 10th warmest year on record.

The World Meteorological Organisation .. in its annual statement .. says Adelaide endured
15 consecutive days of maximum temperatures above 35 degrees celsius .. its longest-running
heatwave on record.

And it was Victoria's ninth driest year since records began.

Climatologist ANDREW WATKINS has told the ABC .. overall Australia's been warmer than
the global average.

The report says Arctic Sea ice has dropped to its second-lowest level since satellite
measurements started in 1979.

AAP RTV sjm/gfr/ka/jmt

KEYWORD: CLIMATE AUST (MELBOURNE)

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