Wet August prompts climate fears

Heavy rainfall in August caused flooding in Newmilns in East Ayrshire

August was a month of "real climate chaos", according to environmental charity WWF Scotland.

Figures compiled by the organisation show it was the dullest August in 30 years and the 10th wettest ever recorded, with more than 167mm of rain.

There was far less sunshine than usual and major flooding in Fife, Ayrshire, Dundee, Edinburgh and Renfrewshire.

The charity has called on the Scottish Government to do more to tackle climate change with new legislation.

Dr Sam Gardner, climate policy officer with WWF Scotland, said: "August was a month of real climate chaos, with floods and landslides causing major disruption to transport systems and damage to people's homes across Scotland.

Edinburgh would normally expect 62mm of rain but actually received 214mm, over three-times the monthly average! Heather Reid BBC Scotland forecaster

"We are already experiencing 20% more rain than we used to and the heavy, intense rainfall we saw in August is in keeping with the kind of impacts predicted under climate change models."

The temperature in August was 1C above average, however, there were just 96.9 hours of sunshine, well below the average for the time of year.

BBC Scotland weather forecaster Heather Reid confirmed last month had been particularly wet and cloudy.

She said: "Most of Scotland experienced above average rainfall during August.

"For example, Edinburgh would normally expect 62mm of rain but actually received 214mm, over three-times the monthly average!

"The month was also very cloudy with both Edinburgh and Eskdalemuir having their cloudiest Augusts on record."

'Growing emissions'

Heavy rain caused flooding across parts of central and southern Scotland last month.

Homes and businesses were damaged and there was disruption on the roads and railways.

WWF Scotland urged people to put pressure on their MSPs to back a "robust" and "strong" Scottish Climate Change Bill.

Dr Gardner called for the Scottish Government to set tighter greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

He said: "Scotland has the potential to produce the best climate change legislation anywhere in the world, setting the benchmark for the climate talks over the next 18 months.

"The SNP have promised an 80% cut by 2050 but already we think they are backing away from including the growing emissions from our share of international aviation in the target."