Severe Storms Bring More ‘Weather Whiplash’ to U.S.
On a weather map, Oklahoma appears to be divided into two states. Following multiple rounds of heavy rains and severe thunderstorms, central and eastern Oklahoma have erased the drought conditions that had parched the landscape since 2010. Yet extreme drought conditions continue to plague the more sparsely populated Oklahoma Panhandle.… Read More
Oklahoma Tornado Shows Progress in Weather Warnings
Despite the utter devastation left in the wake of the massive tornado that tore through Moore, Okla., the deadly storm, in many ways, helped showcase how far scientists have come in providing communities early tornado warning signs. In an era of budget cuts that threaten things such as new weather satellites and improved hurricane prediction, … Read More
Drought and Heat May Fuel Early Fire Season in West
Fire season may come early this year in the West, as it has more frequently in recent years, thanks to ongoing drought conditions and increasing temperatures. According to a new outlook issued by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, ID, major wildfires in California could begin as early as this month, nearly a month ahead of… Read More
At Long Last, Great Plains Sees Some Drought Relief
While the drought is far from over in the Great Plains, the precipitation that fell this week was welcome news for a region that has needed it the most. For example, in parts of South Dakota, about 30 inches of snow fell through Wednesday, carrying more than an inch of liquid water equivalent that will help increase soil moisture.… Read More
2012 Drought Worse Than Dust Bowl Era & Unpredictable
The report may leave more open questions than answers, given that it found that no known source of natural climate variability can shoulder most of the blame for the drought, nor can man-made global warming, which over the long run is projected to make droughts more likely in some parts of the U.S., particularly the Southwest.… Read More
Spring Blizzard to Dump Heavy Snow, Spark Severe Storms
This storm will be notable for its broad geographic reach and multiple hazards, ranging from blizzard conditions with heavy snow and powerful winds, to severe thunderstorms containing large hail, damaging winds, and potentially tornadoes. … Read More
Another Summer of Drought Looms for Texas and West
The drought that has gripped Texas for the better part of two years is expected to continue into the summer. Conditions are also expected to expand and intensify all across the West and Southwest, where below-average annual precipitation have combined with low water supplies left over from the drought that began in 2012. An update to the Seasonal… Read More
Drought and Floods in NOAA’s ‘Mixed Bag’ Spring Outlook
The West and South will continue to face more drought this spring, while the Midwest is likely to see heavy rains and some serious flooding as the northern snowpack melts, according to a seasonal forecast released by the U.S. government on Thursday. The Seasonal Outlook, a product of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration… Read More
