global atmosphere
Annual Precipitation: 1914-2006
| 1910s1 | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s |
|---|
Average annual precipitation (mm) | 1,388 | 1,449 | 1,375 | 1,402 | 1,397 |
|---|
Percentage of 1961-1990 baseline | 100.2 | 104.6 | 99.2 | 101.2 | 100.9 |
|---|
| 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s1 |
|---|
Average annual precipitation (mm) | 1,323 | 1,315 | 1,462 | 1,524 | 1,525 |
|---|
Percentage of 1961-1990 baseline | 95.5 | 94.9 | 105.6 | 110.0 | 110.1 |
|---|
Global warming will have an effect on all weather patterns, and changes in the amount of rainfall are predicted. The UK Climate Impacts Programme climate scenarios 4 indicate that rainfall patterns in Scotland will change to wetter winters and drier summers. It is estimated that by 2100 winters will be up to 30% wetter in some places, while summers will be up to 50% drier. Precipitation changes have several implications for Scotland, affecting water resources, flood and drought risk, and habitat loss.
The average annual precipitation in the 1980s, 1990s and the period between 2000 and 2006 was higher than in previous decades, particularly the 1970s, which contained several years with below average rainfall.
The average winter 5 precipitation in the 1990s and 2000s was about 15% higher than the 1961-1990 baseline, compared to the 1960s which was about 15% lower. Summer 6 precipitation has not been as variable with the average 1990s figure about 10% less than the baseline and the 2000s figure 3% less.
SOURCE: MET OFFICE