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Forest Service gets new wildfire tool
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on April 25th, 2013
Climate Central: With much of the West mired in drought conditions heading into the summer, the U.S. Forest Service is preparing for what could be another damaging wildfire season. This year, firefighters will be armed with an updated tool to help them battle fires with the precision of special forces on the battlefield. The instrument, known as the "Autonomous Modular Sensor,' or AMS, can help the Forest Service detect wildfires and conduct post-burn assessments.
While similar devices have been in use for several...
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Spring Storm Smashes Snow and Temperature Records
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on April 12th, 2013
Climate Central: You name the type of precipitation, and odds are that it is falling somewhere between Texas and Minnesota on Wednesday, as ice storm warnings, winter storm warnings for heavy snowfall, and flood watches and warnings have all been issued across this region as a strong spring storm moves through.
Forecast high temperatures on Wednesday, April 10, showing the sharp contrast ahead of and behind the Arctic cold front.
The storm has smashed all-time snowfall records and set new benchmarks for a late...
Spring Blizzard to Dump Heavy Snow, Spark Severe Storms
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on April 8th, 2013
Climate Central: A powerful spring storm taking shape in the West is forecast to spread a swath of heavy snow from the Rockies to the Plains, and eventually across the northern Midwest into northern New England by the end of the week. At the same time, the storm may trigger several rounds of severe thunderstorms, including the threat for tornadoes, as it moves across the country.
This storm will be notable for its broad geographic reach and multiple hazards, ranging from blizzard conditions with heavy snow and...
Heavy, Dam-Busting Rainstorms To Increase, Study Finds
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on April 5th, 2013
Climate Central: Boosted by the added moisture from warming air and ocean temperatures, the heaviest precipitation events -- those that can cause dams to fail, rivers to spill over their banks, and cities to flood -- are likely to become significantly heavier by the end of this century, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, warns engineers and planners that are designing long-lasting, critical infrastructure that planning for only the current types and severity...
From Heat Wave to Snowstorms, March Goes to Extremes
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on March 19th, 2013
Climate Central: What a difference a year makes.
Last March, the U.S. was basking in a heat wave that drove temperatures into the 70s all the way to the Canadian border, as winter snows rapidly retreated and flowers bloomed. Unaware of the devastating drought to follow, the warmth prompted farmers all across the nation to plant their crops several weeks early, and a record corn harvest was predicted.
Forecast sea level pressure departures from average from the GFS computer model. This shows the large area of...
Recent Storms Highlight Flaws In Top U.S. Weather Model
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on March 15th, 2013
Climate Central: The U.S., which pioneered the groundbreaking science of weather forecasting using mathematical simulations of the atmosphere, has fallen behind other nations when it comes to the accuracy of its global forecasting model. The consequences could be dire for people in harm's way if the U.S. is less prepared for extreme weather and climate events.
The emerging "modeling gap' could erode the accuracy of U.S. weather forecasts and also cause greater economic losses from weather events. A 2011 study...
‘Snowquester’ Threatens To Cause Major Coastal Flooding
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on March 6th, 2013
Climate Central: An intensifying coastal storm, nicknamed "Snowquester," was plastering the Mid-Atlantic states with 1-to-2 feet of heavy, cement-like snow on Wednesday, and is forecast to crawl northeastward, bringing the threat of multiple rounds of coastal flooding to an already vulnerable New Jersey shore and coastal New England, along with rain and snow.
While the prospect of heavy snow in places like Washington, D.C. and New York City has garnered most of the headlines, coastal flooding may end up having...
Remarkable Summer in Australia Is its Hottest On Record
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on March 1st, 2013
Climate Central: Australia: It's so hot right now.
Or rather, it was so hot this summer, that the country set a record for its hottest summer since recordkeeping began there in 1910, the country's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) announced Friday. For a country that has an arid climate and is prone to heat waves, that might not seem unusual.
But the summer was remarkable in almost every respect, as the Australian continent smashed records for heat intensity, geographic scope, and duration. Moreover, the heat continued...
Canada: With Keystone In Limbo, Alberta Launches Carbon Contest
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on February 22nd, 2013
Climate Central: The Canadian province of Alberta is home to the country's booming oil and gas industry, and is a key power base for Canada's Conservative Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. The rapid development of unconventional oil and gas resources, also known as "oil sands,' in Alberta has turned that province into an engine of economic growth in Canada, and has led to controversy in the U.S.
Domestically, Alberta is perhaps best known as the origin of the controversial Keystone-XL Pipeline, which would transport...
Snowstorm Headed For Heart of Drought Region
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on February 19th, 2013
Climate Central: A major snowstorm is poised to deliver much-needed precipitation to areas from central and southern California to the Rockies and Plains states during the next several days. Parts of Kansas and Nebraska -- ground zero for the worst drought conditions in the U.S. -- may pick up more than a foot of snow by the time the storm ends there late Thursday.
While the storm is not expected to deliver blockbuster snow totals, any precipitation -- be it in the form of rain, snow, or the often dreaded "wintry...