weather wise

Some recent world weather news:

Washington: The first two months of 1998 were both the warmest and wettest on record. The average temperature in January and February was 37.5F (3C) compared with the normal 32.1F (0C). There was also an average of 6.01 inches (15.2 cm) of rain, nearly two inches more than normal.

California: Sunglass Hut International has blamed El Nino for a drop in sales in some areas. The Chief Executive, John Watson, said: "North America Sunglass Hut results, although positive, were negatively impacted by performance on the west coast due to unusual weather patterns in that region."

New Jersey: Gardeners are worried by the effects of El Nino on the biological clocks of flowers as mild temperatures are causing plants to bloom too early. "There'll be nothing left in late April," lamented Katie Porter, a New Jersey Garden Club member, "and if we get a heavy frost it'll be terrible". The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington is scheduled from 29 March to 12 April, but the blooms are now expected to be over before the end.

Queensland: The worst flooding in seven years is affecting Australia's tropical north. Some towns are expected to be cut off for the next two months. The Queensland State Emergency Services district co-ordinator, Ron Crawford, commented: "It's a bit damp up there."