Devon County Council

Present effects of climate change

(See also Future effects of climate change page)

On average, temperatures in England have risen by about one degree Celcius since 1980, with 2006 being the warmest on record.  Plymouth has recorded an increase of 0.75°C since 1900, Exmouth 1.05°C and Ilfracombe 0.64°C.  

The hottest day recorded in Devon was 32.4°C at Ilfracombe in August 1990, while the highest figures for Plymouth (31.6°C) and Exmouth (31.2°C) both occurred on the same day in June 1976.

Annual mean precipitation over England and Wales has not changed significantly since records began in 1766 but seasonal rainfall appears to have decreased in summer and increased in winter, although with little change in the latter over the last 50 years.

Relative sea level (sea level taking into account changes in land height) in the South West has risen by approximately 250mm since 1916.

All regions of the UK have experienced an increase in the contribution to winter rainfall from heavy rainfall events between 1961 and 2006. In summer all regions of the UK except for NE England and N Scotland show decreases.

Severe windstorms around the UK have become more frequent in the past few decades, although not above the frequency seen in the 1920s. The 1990s saw 14 strong wind events, compared to 4, 5 and 8 in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s respectively.

Around the world, effects include:

• Ice caps are retreating from many mountain peaks , such as Kilimanjaro
• Global mean sea level rose by 1 – 2mm a year during the 20^th Century
• In September 2007 Arctic sea ice extent was 39% below the long-term average from 1979 to 2000
• Global snow cover has decreased by 10% since the 1960s
• El Niño events have become more frequent and intense during the last 20-30 years
• Weather-related economic losses to communities and businesses have increased ten-fold over the last 40 years
• Deserts are spreading up into southern Europe
• Barn owls, robins and hornets are arriving in the Arctic for the first time