Temperatures in March were well below average for the nation as a whole, but above average in many states in the Southwest, according to the latest State of the Climate from NOAA. Arizona, California, and Nevada experienced temperatures among their top ten warmest, and Utah and New Mexico each experienced their 25th warmest...
In The News
Great Plains Drought, Worse Than Dust Bowl, Not Attributed to Climate Change
April 18, 2013 |
NOAA
Precipitation deficits over the central Great Plains last summer were more severe than the driest summers of the Dust Bowl era, and the most severe since record keeping began, according to a new assessment of the 2012 drought by NOAA. The authors used a combination of historical data, climate simulations, and...
Groundwater Pumping Decreasing AZ’s Verde River Streamflow
April 18, 2013 |
USGS
Oceans Absorbing More Heat
April 18, 2013 |
Geophysical Research Letters
Over the past decade, the upper ocean has been warming at a slower rate than it has since 1958, while the deeper ocean below 2300 feet has experienced an increase in warming, according to new research published in Geophysical Research Letters. The authors used a new observational-based reanalysis of...
Above-Normal Wildfire Season Predicted for SW
April 11, 2013 |
National Interagency Fire Center
Continued drought conditions in Arizona and New Mexico will increase the potential for significant wildfires in May, according to predictions from the National Interagency Fire Center. During June and July, the fire potential will decrease to normal in these two states, but will be above normal in...
Climate Change Will Make Transatlantic Flights Bumpier
April 11, 2013 |
Nature Climate Change
Transatlantic flights may be bumpier and possibly longer by the middle of this century, leading to higher fuel consumption and emissions, according to a recent report published in Nature Climate Change. Using climate model simulations, the authors found that when carbon dioxide in the...
Shifts in Wine Production Location May Impact Ecosystems, Water
April 11, 2013 |
PNAS
As the locations suitable for wine grape production shift due to climatic changes, impacts on upland ecosystems and water use for irrigation will increase, according to a new report published in PNAS. Currently, wine grape production is concentrated in Mediterranean...
Drought May Push Food Prices Up 3 to 4 Percent
April 11, 2013 |
USDA
Food prices are predicted to increase 3 to 4 percent this year, due to the severe drought in the Midwest last year, according to the 2013 Food Price Outlook from the USDA. Large price changes were not felt last year because the transmission of price changes from the commodity level down to...
Warm, Dry Conditions to Continue in AZ, NM
April 3, 2013 |
CLIMAS
Recent conditions have been warm and dry in Arizona and New Mexico, and more of the same is predicted through June, according to the latest Southwest Climate Outlook from CLIMAS. After a relatively cool winter, temperatures rapidly warmed in March, reaching 6 degrees F above average in parts of Arizona, and only slightly...
Feds Outline Steps to Reduce Climate Change Impacts on Fish, Wildlife, and Plants
April 3, 2013 |
Department of the Interior
A new climate adaptation strategy, produced by a partnership of federal, state, and tribal agencies in response to a call to action by Congress, outlines goals and steps that managers, decision-makers, and private land owners can take to reduce the current and expected impacts of climate change on fish, wildlife, plants, and ecosystems...