Something that may be contributing to this problem is some abnormal activity from the sun: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_ne...729038,00.html

At present, the sun is at its quietest. However, Dikpati and her colleagues have calculated that its activity will not only start to rise later this year, culminating in maximum activity around 2010 and 2011, but that this maximum will be one of the most intense every experienced.

'The next sunspot cycle will be 30 per cent to 50 per cent stronger than the previous one,' she said.
Sun spots are down but I believe solar radiation is up. Anyone interested in buying beachfront property in north central Africa?