El Niño, or the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, is an occasional warming event in the Pacific Ocean that can initiate weather-related havoc across the U.S. Now, it has a new cousin. By examining 38 years of weather, atmospheric scientists have identified an ocean temperature anomaly — the Pacific Extreme Pattern — that can predict droughts on […]
How is climate change affecting agriculture? It depends. Of 12 crops examined in Yolo County, walnuts are most vulnerable, while processing tomatoes and alfalfa acreage may increase due to warmer winters. In an effort to forecast how climate change may affect agriculture, University of California agricultural economists looked at how climate has affected crop acreage in […]
Congress is about to try again to help ease California’s drought. A handful of bills – some new, some held over from last year – will come up for debate in the weeks ahead. The subject is as partisan as the presidential race, and a lot more complicated. That’s because, when you get politicians involved in […]
In response to dozens of pending protests, state and federal officials asked for a two-month delay in hearings that could decide the fate of Gov. Jerry Brown’s controversial plan to build two massive tunnels beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. On Monday, the state Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation – the […]
Yes, the Bay Area got a lot of rain this winter. But was it enough to end the drought? Sadly, no. But there’s good news—this winter was the best we’ve had in five years in terms of precipitation. Rainfall in most Bay Area cities is about 100 percent of normal. San Francisco has received 21 inches of rain this […]
Almarai Co., Saudi Arabia’s largest dairy company, has bought about 14,000 acres in drought-stricken Southern California and Arizona in an effort to grow hay for its massive herd of cows. The purchase has fueled debate over whether a patchwork of laws and court rulings give too much weight to growers of thirsty crops such as […]
New Cousin of El Niño May Forecast Summer Heat Waves Months in Advance
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /PBS NewsHour (Washington, D.C.)by BY Nsikan AkpanEl Niño, or the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, is an occasional warming event in the Pacific Ocean that can initiate weather-related havoc across the U.S. Now, it has a new cousin. By examining 38 years of weather, atmospheric scientists have identified an ocean temperature anomaly — the Pacific Extreme Pattern — that can predict droughts on […]
Looking at Drought and Crops
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Porterville ReporterHow is climate change affecting agriculture? It depends. Of 12 crops examined in Yolo County, walnuts are most vulnerable, while processing tomatoes and alfalfa acreage may increase due to warmer winters. In an effort to forecast how climate change may affect agriculture, University of California agricultural economists looked at how climate has affected crop acreage in […]
4 Things to Know About Federal Drought Legislation
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Fresno Beeby By Matt WeiserCongress is about to try again to help ease California’s drought. A handful of bills – some new, some held over from last year – will come up for debate in the weeks ahead. The subject is as partisan as the presidential race, and a lot more complicated. That’s because, when you get politicians involved in […]
Agencies Seek Two-Month Delay for Delta Tunnels Hearing
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby By Ryan Sabalow and Dale KaslerIn response to dozens of pending protests, state and federal officials asked for a two-month delay in hearings that could decide the fate of Gov. Jerry Brown’s controversial plan to build two massive tunnels beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. On Monday, the state Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation – the […]
Was March the Rainfall Miracle We’d Hoped For?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KQED (San Francisco) by By Lindsey HoshawYes, the Bay Area got a lot of rain this winter. But was it enough to end the drought? Sadly, no. But there’s good news—this winter was the best we’ve had in five years in terms of precipitation. Rainfall in most Bay Area cities is about 100 percent of normal. San Francisco has received 21 inches of rain this […]
Questions and Answers About Saudi Land Purchases in the US
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Associated Press (As Published by Providence Journal (Providence, R.I.)Almarai Co., Saudi Arabia’s largest dairy company, has bought about 14,000 acres in drought-stricken Southern California and Arizona in an effort to grow hay for its massive herd of cows. The purchase has fueled debate over whether a patchwork of laws and court rulings give too much weight to growers of thirsty crops such as […]