As ice rinks melt, 2016’s set to be hottest year ever
NEXT year is set to be the hottest on record, forecasters said last night.
According to the Met Office’s annual global temperature forecast, 2016 will be between 0.72C and 0.95C above the long term whole- year world average of 14C.
The rise in temperatures is down not only to global warming but also the natural ‘El Nino’ phenomenon in the Pacific.
Professor Chris Folland, a Met Office research fellow, said: ‘2015 is on track to be the warmest year on record, and this forecast suggests 2016 is likely to be as warm, if not warmer.’
The report came as festive ice rinks across the country began to melt in the mild December temperatures.
Forecasters yesterday said Christmas Day temperatures were likely to be as high as 13C (57F) in the South – and 9C (48F) in the Midlands and North. Meanwhile, Saharan dust is expected to arrive in the country over the next few days as warm air comes up from Africa and the Mediterranean.
The first ice rink to be affected by the mild weather was in Lincoln where operators had to close the attraction for four hours last Sunday when it briefly turned into a large puddle. Yesterday the rink was operational again with those who missed out on Sunday able to re-book another session. The ice rink at Colchester’s Castle Park Winter Wonderland attraction was also forced to close between last Saturday and Tuesday with refunds of £18,600 given to disappointed skaters.
Last night it emerged that the ice rink at the Tower of London had been closed because of surface water. A spokesman said it would be open today but warned there was likely to be surface water and skaters should bring spare clothes in case they get wet.