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Archive for July 10th, 2012
Study links global warming to Texas heat waves
Posted by Associated Press: Malcolm Ritter on July 10th, 2012
Associated Press: New research suggests that global warming increases the chances of heat waves in Texas, like the one that hit the state last year.
The government also confirmed Tuesday that 2011 was among the 15 warmest years on record.
Texas had record heat and drought last year. Part of the problem was a weather pattern called La Nina, which contributed to drought across the South. Scientists in Oregon and England used computer simulations to estimate how much more likely such Texas heat waves are because...
Copper Exposure Increases Salmon Vulnerability to Predators, Study Says
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 10th, 2012
Yale Environment 360: Exposure to even tiny amounts of copper can impair a salmon’s ability to detect and evade predator species, a new study has found. While salmon typically become still and alert after they smell a compound called Schreckstoff, which is released when a fish is damaged nearby, Washington State University (WSU) researchers say fish exposed to just five parts of copper per billion are unable to detect the substance, making them more vulnerable to attack. In a series of tests conducted in a four-foot diameter...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on Copper Exposure Increases Salmon Vulnerability to Predators, Study SaysEl Nino May Be On the Way, Altering Weather Patterns
Posted by Climate Central: Andrew Freedman on July 10th, 2012
Climate Central: If you thought the first six months of the year were chock full of weird weather events, just wait -- according to climate scientists there is an increasing likelihood that El Niño conditions will soon develop in the tropical Pacific Ocean. El Niño events, which are characterized by an area of unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, can have a huge influence on global weather patterns. Its effects on the U.S. tend to peak during the winter.
The U.S. has already had...
Corn belt heat wave breaks, but rains will miss driest areas
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 10th, 2012
Reuters: Sizzling temperatures abated in the U.S. Midwest Corn Belt over the weekend, but rains this week were expected to miss the areas that need it most, an agricultural forecaster said Monday.
High temperatures cooled into the 80s Fahrenheit over the weekend, and were forecast to remain there this week, following record-setting readings last week that topped 100 degrees, scorching corn and soybeans.
U.S. crop condition ratings for corn and soybeans fell last week, and grain traders expected the...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Corn belt heat wave breaks, but rains will miss driest areasNo rain is farmers’ pain
Posted by Star Tribune: Mike Hughlett on July 10th, 2012
Star Tribune: A once-promising forecast is turning ugly for U.S. farmers, although Minnesota's crop is in better shape than most.
The corn is tall and still a lustrous green through much of Minnesota. But it's not going to stay that way for long without a good soaking rain -- pronto.
Already, Minnesota corn farmers are seeing wilting leaves and other signs of heat stress, though nothing like the drought that has stunted crops through much of the Corn Belt.
"Most states would trade places with us in a...
Corn prices surge as USDA reports 18 states hurt by drought
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 10th, 2012
Associated Press: The U.S. Department of Agriculture report said 30% of the corn in the 18 states that produce most of the nation's crop is now considered in poor or very poor condition. A week ago, it was 22%.
Indiana and Illinois have been particularly hard hit. The USDA said 61% of Indiana's corn is now rated poor or very poor, compared to 50% last week. In Illinois, 48% of the corn is rated as poor or very poor, compared to 33% a week ago.
Nationwide, the amount of corn rated good to excellent also is dropping,...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Corn prices surge as USDA reports 18 states hurt by droughtJapan agency says high chance El Nino to emerge this summer
Posted by Reuters: Risa Maeda on July 10th, 2012
Reuters: Japan's weather bureau said on Tuesday its climate models indicate there is a strong possibility the El Nino weather pattern, which is often linked to heavy rainfall and droughts, will emerge this summer.
The Japan Meteorological Agency changed the language in its monthly assessment of the six-month outlook for El Nino that it used in June, when it said it was more likely that normal weather patterns would prevail in Asia through to December.
"The chances are now high that the El Nino weather...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Japan agency says high chance El Nino to emerge this summer