In this timely study, as they describe it, Hatchett et al. (2015) strove to determine whether the hydro-climatic conditions that occurred during the 2012-2015 (hereafter current) California-Nevada drought were “within the range of natural variability documented by paleo-proxy indicators,” which they hoped could lead to the “disentanglement of the relative roles of natural versus anthropogenic […]
After losing a landmark judgment in 2015, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must pay $8.9 million in attorneys’ fees to the San Diego County Water Authority, a San Francisco Superior Court judge ruled Thursday. As the prevailing party, the Water Authority is entitled to its attorneys’ fees, according to the court order; a […]
A spring storm dumped fresh snow to parts of the Sierra and delivered partly cloudy skies and gusty winds to the Sacramento region Monday, capping a weekend of hammock-worthy highs in the 70s. Chain controls were in effect part of the day on Interstate 80 over Donner Summit. By midafternoon, 11 inches of snow had […]
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 […]
How Unusual Was the California Nevada Drought of 2012-2015?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /CO2 Science Magazine (Tempe, Ariz.)In this timely study, as they describe it, Hatchett et al. (2015) strove to determine whether the hydro-climatic conditions that occurred during the 2012-2015 (hereafter current) California-Nevada drought were “within the range of natural variability documented by paleo-proxy indicators,” which they hoped could lead to the “disentanglement of the relative roles of natural versus anthropogenic […]
BLOG: Judge Awards $8.9 Million in Attorneys’ Fees to Water Authority in MWD Rate Case
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /WaterWorld (Tulsa, Okla.) Quoted: Mark WestonAfter losing a landmark judgment in 2015, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must pay $8.9 million in attorneys’ fees to the San Diego County Water Authority, a San Francisco Superior Court judge ruled Thursday. As the prevailing party, the Water Authority is entitled to its attorneys’ fees, according to the court order; a […]
Spring Snow Leads Some Sierra Resorts to Extend Skiing into May
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby By Cathy LockeA spring storm dumped fresh snow to parts of the Sierra and delivered partly cloudy skies and gusty winds to the Sacramento region Monday, capping a weekend of hammock-worthy highs in the 70s. Chain controls were in effect part of the day on Interstate 80 over Donner Summit. By midafternoon, 11 inches of snow had […]
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 […]