Even though we have been promised a hot summer for the last two years and it has failed to materialise, reports suggest that summer 2010 is expected to be a hot one, good news for all of those intended on going on holiday in the UK

This article was taken from the Daily Mail

Forecasters say it is likely to be the hottest year globally since records began nearly 160 years ago.

The prediction follows the announcement that the ‘noughties’ were the warmest decade on record, while 2009 was the fifth warmest year.

The Met Office’s Vicky Pope said global temperatures next year were expected to average 14.58C (52.24F)  -  around 0.06C warmer than the previous record of 1998.

This is partly due to El Niño, the weather phenomenon which has seen warmer than usual water in the Eastern Pacific in recent months. El Niño is forecast to last until May, affecting weather around the world.

The Met Office claims its track record on global weather forecasts is good, with predictions right to within 0.06C over the last decade. But it conceded that the outlook was not guaranteed.

‘A record warm year in 2010 is not a certainty-especially if the current El Niño was to unexpectedly decline rapidly near the start of 2010 or if there was a large volcanic eruption which would cool the planet,’ it said.

Three years ago, Met Office scientists predicted that 2007 was likely to be the warmest year on record globally. It turned out to be the sixth warmest. Then in April, its longrangeforecast said it was ‘odds on for a barbecue-summer’.

Although temperatures were warmer than average, the balmy weather implied in the forecast failed to materialise.

And despite a brief heatwave in June, much of the summer was grey and damp  -  with 40 per cent more rain than normal.

The predictions take into account levels of greenhouse gases, volcanic activity, sun activity, sea surface temperatures and El Niño.

Caravan drivers may be able to avoid towing their vehicles down windy or narrow roads through some new software available as an application on the Apple iPhone. This article is taken from the Caravan Times website.

The AA’s Route Planner navigation software allows motorists to specifically steer clear of situations including toll roads and motorways.

In particular, a specific ‘caravan friendly’ mode will ensure drivers stick to roads suitable for the vehicles.

According to the Press Association, Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “It is estimated that at any one time up to 15 per cent of drivers in urban areas may be lost, adding to congestion and frustration among drivers.

“A well-planned route not only saves time, money and CO2 but also makes for a calmer, safer journey. Millions of people rely on AA Route Planner and with this new app this will now be available wherever they are.”

Routes can be planned using the software by start and end destinations or through the current location in which a user is situated.

The AA website lists the price as £1.79 which is an annual subscription. This could well be a useful application for the technology savvy caravan user.