2007 'likely to be warmest year on record' » Environment » 24dash.com

This year is likely to be the warmest year on record globally, forecasters have predicted.

Climate change experts said the global temperature is expected to be 0.54C above the long-term average of 14C.

There is a 60% probability that 2007 will be as warm or warmer than the current warmest year, they said.

That was 1998, when temperatures were 0.52C above the long-term average.

The forecast comes from the Met Office, which joins forces with the University of East Anglia each January to issue predictions for the global surface temperature for the coming year.

It takes into account known contributing factors, such as solar effects, the weather system El Nino and concentrations of greenhouse gases.

Kate Hopkins, from Met Office Consulting, said: "This new information represents another warning that climate change is happening around the world."

The forecast follows news that 2006 was the warmest year on record across the UK.

During the year there was an average temperature of 9.7C - 1.1C above the long-term average. Long-term averages are based on the period from 1971 to 2000.

Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, said the prediction showed the need for urgent action on climate change and urged the Government to use green taxes to encourage a change in behaviour.

Copyright Press Association 2007