Pam Knox
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The latest global climate summary was released by NOAA a couple of days ago. It shows that July 2022 was the 6th warmest since records began in 1880. The year to date temperature covering January through July was also the 6th warmest. The five warmest Julys have all occurred since 2016. You can read more…
Posted in: Climate summaries -
A few days ago I posted a story about the extreme drought in France and how it was affecting farmers there. There have been a number of stories in the press since then. One of the most interesting stories is about how this drought, estimated to be a 500-year-event, has caused streamflow to be so…
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A new study released this week shows that many toxic chemicals related to plastics have been found in rainwater and snow as far south as Antarctica. This chemicals are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment but stay around forever. These chemicals have non-stick or stain-repellent properties that make them…
Posted in: Climate and Ag in the news -
The latest 7-day QPF map shows that most areas within the region should receive some rain this week. In most cases, they are predicting 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Slightly heavier amounts in eastern North Carolina and along the coast with the possible spin-up of a low along the old stationary front that could enhance the…
Posted in: Climate outlooks -
One of the ways that producers might be able to adapt to the changing climate is by producing new crop varieties that are more resistant to drought, since drought is expected to increase in the future as temperatures get warmer and evaporation and evapotranspiration increase. Plant breeders are looking for plants that have characteristics that…
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The latest Drought Monitor, released today, shows that almost all of the drought in the region has improved to lingering abnormally dry conditions. There are still a few small patches of drought in North Carolina and Alabama. Conditions in Puerto Rico have also improved, although some drought remains there as well. Most of the region…
Posted in: Drought -
The latest El Nino discussion was released today. It shows that there is a strong likelihood that La Nina will continue through 2022, with a return to neutral conditions likely by spring. You can read more at their summary page. That means that even though the tropics are quiet now, we expect them to ramp…