Pam Knox

  • New daily lightning climatology

    Here is an interesting map display from NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center that shows the daily distribution of lightning stokes across the United States. It is very interesting to see how the area of most lightning strikes moves around over the course of the year. You can view it at https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/dataviewer/?mode=climo&category=ltg&product=ltgday.

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  • Fast-Onset Droughts are Accelerating

    A recent scientific study of droughts by Colorado University scientists has shown that typical hydrological droughts have not changed their rates of intensification over time, the intensification of fast-onset droughts (often called flash droughts) is accelerating and they are developing and getting worse more quickly than any time in the last 70 years of the…

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  • Some interesting blogs I’ve read lately

    I read information on climate and agriculture from a number of sources, and have found a few long-form articles that I really enjoyed this week. You might like reading them too and might even consider subscribing to their blog or podcast. Thoughts from the Orchard: The Gnat Line was written by Lenny Wells, the UGA…

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  • Join us for the Southeast Climate Monthly Webinar! These webinars provide the region with timely information on current and developing climate conditions such as drought, floods, and tropical storms, as well as climatic events like El Niño and La Niña. Speakers may also discuss the impacts of these conditions on topics such as wildfires, agriculture…

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  • According to the Fruit Growers News, Hurricane Ian damaged more than 5 million acres of Florida agricultural land, including non-citrus fruit and tree nuts and winegrape vineyards in an estimated $1.56 billion in damages. University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) economists released initial damage estimates. Damages from seasonal crops such…

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  • The latest 7-day QPF map shows that there is little chance of rain in the forecast again this week, and amounts are expected to be light if it does fall. After a dry and quiet fall weekend, we can expect increasing chances of showers by mid-week, but the amounts expected are low so won’t make…

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  • Earlier this week I posted a story about rebuilding in Mexico Beach, FL, after Hurricane Michael in 2018. Here is a similar story from Yahoo News about what homeowners in Fort Myers Beach, FL, are likely to have to face after Hurricane Ian. Many of the workers who serve in restaurants or run tourist companies…

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