Thirty-nine years ago, due to record-breaking snowfall in the Upper Colorado River Basin, Lake Powell rose substantially, catching river managers off-guard. By late June, the reservoir was nearly overflowing, forcing operators — for the first time ever — to rely on the spillways. Instead of giving relief, that precipitated a new crisis, as a phenomenon […]
Record low snowpack levels continue to plaque the state of California as dry and unseasonably warm temperatures continue to persist. According to measurements taken by the U.S. Forest Service for the April survey, in the Klamath National Forest, the snowpack is at 16% of the historic average snow height (snow depth) and at 18% of the […]
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom released Executive Order N-7-22 on March 28, 2022 in response to the state’s ongoing drought conditions. It is effective immediately and covers the entire state. The entire order could perhaps be viewed as part five of his four previous drought related executive orders from 2021.
Few landfalling atmospheric rivers in the current water year have reached California, now in the third year of a statewide drought. The latest update from the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, shows that Water Year 2022 started strong in October, but weaker storms did not ease dry […]
The heat is on. Record-breaking temperatures are expected across California Thursday and Friday with the mercury rising up to 25 to 30 degrees above normal. UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain referred to the sweltering weather as a “major early spring heat wave” and said it may be “most consequential in the Sierra Nevada” where the snowpack is already well below normal […]
The Colorado River Basin looks to be headed for a third straight dry year, according to the April report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Colorado Basin River Forecast Center. Although the weather in March was more active than it was in January and February, it continued a trend of either below or well-below […]
Powell’s Looming Power Problem
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /High Country Newsby Jonathan ThompsonThirty-nine years ago, due to record-breaking snowfall in the Upper Colorado River Basin, Lake Powell rose substantially, catching river managers off-guard. By late June, the reservoir was nearly overflowing, forcing operators — for the first time ever — to rely on the spillways. Instead of giving relief, that precipitated a new crisis, as a phenomenon […]
Klamath National Forest Snowpack at 16% of Historic Average as Drought Conditions Persist
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /KDRVby Brett TaylorRecord low snowpack levels continue to plaque the state of California as dry and unseasonably warm temperatures continue to persist. According to measurements taken by the U.S. Forest Service for the April survey, in the Klamath National Forest, the snowpack is at 16% of the historic average snow height (snow depth) and at 18% of the […]
Newsom’s Drought Order Poses a Big Question on Water Well Permits for Valley Farmers
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Sunby Don WrightCalifornia’s Governor Gavin Newsom released Executive Order N-7-22 on March 28, 2022 in response to the state’s ongoing drought conditions. It is effective immediately and covers the entire state. The entire order could perhaps be viewed as part five of his four previous drought related executive orders from 2021.
Few Strong Landfalling Atmospheric Rivers Reach California
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Water News Network Quoted: San Diego County Water AuthorityFew landfalling atmospheric rivers in the current water year have reached California, now in the third year of a statewide drought. The latest update from the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, shows that Water Year 2022 started strong in October, but weaker storms did not ease dry […]
‘Vast Majority’ of California’s Sierra Snowpack Could Be Gone by Mid-to-Late April
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /SFGATEby Amy GraffThe heat is on. Record-breaking temperatures are expected across California Thursday and Friday with the mercury rising up to 25 to 30 degrees above normal. UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain referred to the sweltering weather as a “major early spring heat wave” and said it may be “most consequential in the Sierra Nevada” where the snowpack is already well below normal […]
The Colorado River Basin Looks to Be Locking in Another Dry Year
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Colorado Sunby Chris Outcalt and Margaret FlemingThe Colorado River Basin looks to be headed for a third straight dry year, according to the April report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Colorado Basin River Forecast Center. Although the weather in March was more active than it was in January and February, it continued a trend of either below or well-below […]