Root for Rain!
I post this U.S. Drought Monitor map periodically, and most of the time the focus is on a specific region. However, this December looks to be continuing both short and long-term droughts across wide swaths of the country. California’s disaster will need years or longer to heal, but the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains are also seeing some dry areas. The Southeast has turned very dry while our Northeast continues a severe to even extreme drought as well. The Great Lakes are helping our region stay near precipitation averages, but much of the rest of the country seems to be on a tough...
Read MoreSummer Thunderstorm
This week’s persistent heavy rain and frequent thunderstorms are providing a great deal of relief to a drought-stricken region after a difficult summer. Much of the Northeast is in need of several inches of rain or more, and these storms are providing a lot – almost too much – in a short period of time. It will take a while for the water table to fully recover, but these sorts of stormy days and nights are necessary for the health of our environment and all the wildlife in it…including us. Be safe and remember, “turn around, don’t drown” and that,...
Read MoreDrought Worsening
Hey, did you happen to notice how dry it has been? Because our drought is steadily worsening as well. The Northeast is dry and far more dry than earlier this spring, the beginning of the year, the start of the last water year after a dry summer of 2015, and this date one year ago. We also do not have a lot of water in the forecast. Let’s hope for some clouds and some rain, please! We need more than a thunderstorm or two, and a few well-placed lows saturating the region would certainly be welcome. Extremes hurt much of the life in our environment, and climate change increasing our...
Read MoreRed-webbed Tree Frog (Hypsiboas rufitelus)
Although the weather was uncharacteristically hot and dry in Costa Rica during this last trip, many good species allowed themselves to be found for RTPI President Twan Leenders – including this Red-webbed Tree Frog (Hypsiboas rufitelus).
Read MoreSeptember Sunset
This has been the hottest September on record thus far for many locations in the Northeast. The sultry and arid conditions have worsened a drought for much of the region. The blazing sunset here may be one of the last hot days of the year as today’s cold front should bring much more seasonable conditions for the week, albeit still a little above average in terms of temperature and far below average for precipitation in the near future. All of this is coming after a historically cold winter. What was that we used to say about climate change and the future…extremes, and more of...
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