extremes

By studying the DNA of ancient oaks, the scientists hope to unravel the genes behind the trees' long life and their ability to survive climatic extremes.

"My friend was afraid that if she kept asking, he'd go to extremes and hurt me," Rachel later told the BBC.

Climate scientists call the swings between these extremes weather whiplash and they affect us all.

Delpy is slightly more pessimistic and explains that given "politicians have to be heard, if you're too reasonable you won't be listened to as there's so much noise of both extremes".

Meteorologists say such extremes are becoming more frequent and intense because of human-induced climate change, which is causing weather events to become more frequent and severe.