Science Source

Exceptionally Hot and Cold Summers in Europe (1951-2010)

Explores exceptional thermal conditions, an area of research that has increased in significance in the context of the changes that are being observed in climate
Addresses the frequency, long-term change and spatial coverage of exceptionally hot summers, and exceptionally cool summers (EHS and ECS) in Europe
Uses the statistical criterion of plus/minus two standard deviations from the long-term average to identify EHS and ECS at 60 weather stations over the period 1951–2010
Demonstrates that EHS are characterized by greater temperature anomalies than ECS and are approximately twice as frequent
Finds that they occurred virtually everywhere within the study area, whilst ECS are concentrated in its northern part
Finds that five EHS (1972, 2002, 2003, 2007, and 2010) and three ECS (1956, 1962, and 1976) were large enough to be recorded by at least 10% of the stations