Summer 2008 forecast appraisal

Updated 20 Nov 2008

The forecast appraisal is based on the summer forecast issued in May 2008. To see an assessment of the weather experienced across the UK see the Summer 2008 summary.


	Prediction	Outcome
European mean temperature	Headline: More likely above average over much of Europe. Highest probability of above-average temperatures in Mediterranean regions.	Above average over much of Europe (see map on left). Above-average temperatures were widespread over much of the Mediterranean, south-eastern Europe and western Scandinavia.
UK mean temperature	Headline: Mean temperatures above average. A slightly enhanced chance of more frequent cloudy and cool spells compared to recent summers prior to 2007.	Above average. Sunshine was below average (91% of normal), there were frequent spells with temperature below the 1971-2000 average - see Summer 2008 summary.
European precipitation totals	Average or above-average rainfall more likely over north-west Europe, below-average rainfall more likely over southern and eastern Europe.	Above-average over UK and Baltic countries. Near- or below-average over much of western mainland Europe. Below-average over most southern and eastern regions.
UK precipitation totals	For the UK as a whole, more likely to be either near or above average.	Above average - see Summer 2008 summary.