1854: The Met Office is founded to provide information on the weather and marine currents to the marine community. This small department of the Board of Trade is headed by Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy. Fitzroy established a network of coastal weather stations, and pioneered daily weather reports in newspapers, coining the phrase "weather forecast" in the process.

PARIS, July 9, 2007 (AFP) - From the enigma of Easter Island to the famines that struck India in the 19th century, the past is throwing up vital pointers for scientists poring over how to combat looming climate change.

Britain's climate is changing now. And Earth is expected to continue experiencing global warming in the future. But the pressing question is to what degree are we likely to feel the heat? What change in temperature might we expect and what are the potential consequences?

The Great Fire of London in 1666 was partly caused by the drought of an unseasonably hot summer, and London had practically no rain for over a year. The wooden buildings in the city were tinder dry when the fire started on 2nd September, and thus spread easily, raging out of control for three days and three nights.

Often you hear people talk of praying to the weather gods - but who exactly are they? Here are the top 10, ranked in terms of general ferocity.

10 - Utixo (Khoikhoi, Africa) - Utixo or Tiqua was a god of the Khoi, a benevolent deity who lived in the sky, sending rain for the crops, and speaking with thunder.