'Wettest January' causes concern

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January was one of the wettest on record, with almost 285mm of rain registered, figures from conservation charity WWF Scotland show.

The figure was nearly double the long-term average for the month and was the highest in Edinburgh and the east since records began in 1914.

January started with a series of severe storms and gales across the country.

Although there was considerably less sunshine than usual, it was more than one degree warmer than usual.

'Crunch year'

WWF said the extreme weather patterns, which included extreme flooding in Perthshire and Clackmannan, could be attributed to climate change.

Their figures were compiled from Met Office statistics.

The results served as a warning that now was the time to take action, said Dr Dan Barlow, acting director of WWF Scotland.

"Weather patterns will only continue to get more unpredictable if we don't act to tackle climate change," he added, claiming 2008 was a "crunch year".

"With the Scottish Government's consultation on proposals for a Climate Change Bill launched last week it is vital that we secure a robust Bill that will put Scotland on a path to lowering climate-changing emissions."