2008 is going to be a warm one

Warm weather is coming to the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s not just because of spring’s arrival. After a very chilly start to the year, including record temperatures and snowfalls in many areas, the temperature is predicted to go up… and up…

According to an article in Reuters, once the cooling trend known as La Nina eases off in the next couple of months, 2008 might turn out to be “in the top 10 warmest years.”

What does that mean for travellers? If 2007’s summer weather was any indication, dangerous heat waves could be on the way. For more information about protecting yourself during extreme temperatures, see Keep cool during your summer travels.

A typhoon by any other name…

What’s the difference between a hurricane, typhoon and a cyclonic storm?

It depends on where you are. All three terms refer to the same phenomenon: a tropical cyclone. If you’re referring to a cyclone in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, you’re talking about a “typhoon”. “Hurricanes” occur in the North Atlantic Ocean and in some parts of the Northeast Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. Gonu is a recent example of a “Severe Cyclonic Storm” which is rare in the North Indian Ocean.

Elsewhere you’ll want to watch out for “severe tropical cyclones” (Southwest Pacific Ocean and South East Indian Ocean) and “tropical cyclones” (South West Indian Ocean).

If you’re following the progression of a cyclone, you’ll also want to know that a system first gets its proper name (e.g. Wilma, John, etc.) once it reaches the “tropical storm” level.

Source: Hurricane Research Division Frequently Asked Questions.

Find a forecast

Where can you find reliable weather information for your destination?

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has an area on their site called the World Weather Information Service which offers current weather information for over 1100 cities around the world. The data is provided from 114 member countries, while a total of 159 members submit their climatological data.

The WMO also runs the Severe Weather Information Centre provides official observations and warnings.

Being aware of the weather can help prevent unexpected delays and dangerous situations.

In a fog about potential weather delays?

Holiday travel in England was seriously affected by fog this holiday season. Is there a way to minimize the effects of weather on your travel plans?

Travel delays due to weather can happen suddenly and be difficult to predict. Aside from monitoring weather forecasts and exercising a lot of patience, there is something else you can do to prevent the weather from ruining your vacation: be proactive and find out when the best times of year are to travel and plan accordingly.

Commercial travel websites and government advice are great sources of information about weather. This advice can warn you about where and when monsoons or hurricanes could occur, or what areas to avoid due to treacherous conditions in the winter. Some of the advice may surprise you – for instance, the Australian government’s advice for India warns of possible travel train and airline delays due to fog during the December and January months.

Though it is difficult to know ahead of time when a delay could occur, becoming better informed can help you create a back-up plan such as alternative accommodations.

2007 is going to be hot, hot, hot!

According to various news sources, scientists are predicting that 2007 is going to be the hottest year on record with average temperatures exceeding records set in 1998.

The cause? Global warming trends combined with an El Nino weather phenomenon. According to an International Herald Tribune article, Britain's Meteorological Office predicts that the warming El Nino phenomenon will continue for the first few months of 2007. The effects of this trend will be felt months afterwards.

The warm weather is already having a negative effect on ski resorts around the world, and the warming trend is likely to change weather patterns.