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Global and European temperature (CSI 012/CLIM 001) - Assessment published Mar 2009: Global The global (land and ocean) average temperature increase up to 2008 was 0.7 o C compared to pre-industrial levels. The rate of global average temperature change has increased from 0.1 o C per decade over last 100 years, to 0.16 o C in last decade. The best estimates for projected global warming this century are a further rise in the global average temperature from 1.8 to 4.0 o C for different scenarios that assume no further/additional action to limit emissions. The EU global temperature target is projected to be exceeded between 2040 and 2060, for the all six IPCC scenarios. Europe Europe has warmed more than the global average. The annual average temperature for the European land area up to 2008 was 1.3 o C above pre-industrial levels, and for the combined land and ocean area 1 o C above. Considering the land area, nine out of the last 12 years were among the warmest years since 1850. High-temperature extremes like hot days, tropical nights, and heat waves have become more frequent, while low-temperature extremes (e.g. cold spells, frost days) have become less frequent in Europe. The average length of summer heat waves over Western Europe doubled over the period 1880 to 2005 and the frequency of hot days almost tripled. The annual average temperature is projected to rise this century by 1-5.5 o C (best estimate) with the largest warming over eastern and northern Europe in winter, and over south-western and Mediterranean Europe in summer. Hight temperature events accross Europe including night temperature extremes are projected to become more frequent, intense and longer this century, whereas winter temperature variability and the number of cold and frost extremes are projected to decrease further. The European regions projected to be most affected are the Iberian Peninsula, central Europe including the Alps, the eastern Adriatic seaboard, and southern Greece.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Global and European temperature
Temperature extremes in Europe (CLIM 003) - Assessment DRAFT created Sep 2008: Extremes of cold have become less frequent in Europe while warm extremes have become more frequent. The frequency of hot days almost tripled between 1880 and 2005. For Europe as a whole heat waves are projected to increase in frequency, intensity and duration, whereas winter temperature variability and the number of cold and frost extremes are projected to decrease further. The European regions projected to be most affected are the Iberian Peninsula, central Europe including the Alps, the eastern Adriatic seaboard, and southern Greece.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Temperature extremes in Europe
Observed changes in warm spells and frost days indices 1976-2006: Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Summer 2003 (June-August) daily maximum temperature anomaly: Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Modelled number of tropical nights over Europe during summer (June-August) 1961-1990 and 2071-2100: Reference period (1961-1990) (left), scenario period (2071-2100) (centre) and change between periods (right)
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs

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