• There are six regional climate centers across the US.  While the Southeast is covered by the Southeast Regional Climate Center, each of the centers has a variety of tools that can be used across the country to provide weather and climate data.  Today we will focus on the Midwestern Regional Climate Center and look at…

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  • Since it is near the end of the month, let’s take a look at how the month is likely to shake out.  The temperature departure map shown below from the High Plains Regional Climate Center shows that almost all of the Southeast is above normal in temperature.  For Georgia I estimate that the temperature should end up…

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  • For the end of Lightning Awareness Week, I want to list a couple of articles that contain very useful information on where and when lightning strikes and the most likely ways that you can be affected.  Did you know that 15 percent of all lightning deaths are work-related?  And of those, 34 percent are to…

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  • The 7 day QPF shows that most of the Southeast will receive only scattered showers for the next week.  The best rain chance is Saturday into Sunday as a front approaches the area.  Once the front comes through, we should have a few dry days before the chance of showers increases again later in the…

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  • Castor beans, which were grown in Florida in World War II and which can produce some components of military jet fuel, are currently being studied by University of Florida scientists to determine if they can be successfully grown as a commercial crop in the Southeast. Growing Georgia reported earlier this week (link) on some efforts…

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  • Growing Georgia posted an article from Clint Thompson of UGA about the impacts of the recent heat on watermelon farmers.  The high temperatures and strong sunlight could cause sunburn on the nearly ripe melons, making them unattractive and less able to sell.  Some farmers are using sprays to help protect the melons from sun scald,…

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  • The latest Drought Monitor was released today and shows that the area of severe (D2) drought in the Southeast increased from 0.25 percent of the area to 1.67 percent.  The main increase was in southeast Georgia and northeast Florida, which have largely been missed by recent rains and have suffered under above average temperatures.  You…

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