News

Drought forecast by university team

(23 January 2004)

Fears of potential drought conditions developing later this year were aired by North-East university meteorologists.

It follows record low rainfall recorded last year by Durham University’s geography department.

Not only was 2003 the driest recorded since the university began taking rainfall readings in 1852, but it was also the warmest since temperatures were collated in 1850.

Professor Tim Burt, of the university’s geography department, said: ‘Only three months recorded rainfall totals above average and the total is a huge 240.2mm below the long-term average for Durham. No wonder there are real worries about severe shortages in 2004.’

Reported in the Northern Echo, 13/01/04.