In meeting rooms more than 2,200 miles from the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, the California drought dominated discussions as the California Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors met with congressional representatives and agency officials in Washington, D.C. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., announced her introduction of California drought legislation as she met with the CFBF […]
The giant patch of warm water in the northern Pacific – nicknamed The Blob – has finally broken up. Compare images from this year and last. These maps show sea surface temperature anomalies in the Pacific in July 2015 (above) and January 2016 (below). The maps do not depict absolute temperatures; instead, they show how […]
Researchers launched weather balloons Tuesday off the coast of Hawaii in an unprecedented effort to discover how El Nino affects weather forecasts thousands of miles away. Craig McLean, assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA Research, explained how the project hopes to collect data from the Pacific Ocean using a research plane, a NOAA ship and drones.
Bakersfield-area water districts that have been complaining they just can’t meet the state’s water conservation rules because it’s so hot and dry here are going to get some relief. Four local water companies that have been required to cut their water use by 36 percent compared to the corresponding month in 2013 will instead have […]
A group of central San Joaquin Valley agriculture, government and Latino leaders is raising an alarm about a proposed ballot initiative to take money away from high-speed rail and use it instead for water-storage projects in California. Their opposition to the initiative – which is now being circulated for signatures to qualify for the November […]
It’s February in California, but it’s been impossible to tell. Warm weather and a lack of rain has disappointed many Californians who expected El Nino would bust the state’s drought. Instead, the reestablishment of resilient weather patterns could mean the state’s drought will intensify through the next year and likely beyond. Ironically, El Nino itself […]
California Drought Draws Attention in D.C.
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /AgAlert (Sacramento)by Dave KranzIn meeting rooms more than 2,200 miles from the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, the California drought dominated discussions as the California Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors met with congressional representatives and agency officials in Washington, D.C. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., announced her introduction of California drought legislation as she met with the CFBF […]
BLOG: The Blob is Dead, Scientists Declare
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /EarthSkyThe giant patch of warm water in the northern Pacific – nicknamed The Blob – has finally broken up. Compare images from this year and last. These maps show sea surface temperature anomalies in the Pacific in July 2015 (above) and January 2016 (below). The maps do not depict absolute temperatures; instead, they show how […]
Unprecedented El Nino Study Uses Balloons, Aircraft
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /NBC Southern CaliforniaResearchers launched weather balloons Tuesday off the coast of Hawaii in an unprecedented effort to discover how El Nino affects weather forecasts thousands of miles away. Craig McLean, assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA Research, explained how the project hopes to collect data from the Pacific Ocean using a research plane, a NOAA ship and drones.
State Relaxes Water Cutback Orders on Local Districts
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Bakersfield Californianby Theo DouglasBakersfield-area water districts that have been complaining they just can’t meet the state’s water conservation rules because it’s so hot and dry here are going to get some relief. Four local water companies that have been required to cut their water use by 36 percent compared to the corresponding month in 2013 will instead have […]
Valley Farmers, Others Come Out Against Rail-Water Initiative
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Fresno Beeby Tim SheehanA group of central San Joaquin Valley agriculture, government and Latino leaders is raising an alarm about a proposed ballot initiative to take money away from high-speed rail and use it instead for water-storage projects in California. Their opposition to the initiative – which is now being circulated for signatures to qualify for the November […]
El Nino to La Nina: California Stays Dry, Drought Likely to Intensify
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Catholic Online (Bakersfield)by Marshall ConnollyIt’s February in California, but it’s been impossible to tell. Warm weather and a lack of rain has disappointed many Californians who expected El Nino would bust the state’s drought. Instead, the reestablishment of resilient weather patterns could mean the state’s drought will intensify through the next year and likely beyond. Ironically, El Nino itself […]