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Drought

All articles tagged with #drought

Dry Spell on Flores May Have Driven Hobbits From Their Cave Refuge
science9 hours ago

Dry Spell on Flores May Have Driven Hobbits From Their Cave Refuge

New stalagmite-based climate records from Flores show a progression from wetter conditions to a pronounced summer aridification between 61,000 and 47,000 years ago, a shift that coincided with the decline of Homo floresiensis and its pygmy-elephant prey (Stegodon). As freshwater sources dwindled and resources tightened, the hobbits abandoned Liang Bua and possibly encountered expanding Homo sapiens; a volcanic ash layer dating to ~50,000 years ago could have further contributed to their final decline. The study emphasizes freshwater availability and climate stress as key factors in this extinction within the broader context of human evolution.

via SciTechDaily|
#drought#flores#hobbits
Heat Halts Tree Growth in Summer, Clouding Forests’ Climate Role
climate-change18 hours ago

Heat Halts Tree Growth in Summer, Clouding Forests’ Climate Role

A multinational study using point dendrometers and 75 years of data finds that many oaks stop producing woody biomass by mid-summer even as photosynthesis continues, meaning forests may absorb less CO2 than climate models assume. Eastern oaks absorbed 36% of their carbon without growth, California oaks 26%, suggesting a decoupling of growth from photosynthesis under hot, dry conditions. The results could prompt revisions to how forests are represented in climate projections and call for broader testing across species and ecosystems.

via Gizmodo|
#carbon-sequestration#climate-change#drought
Record Heat Dome Targets Drought-Scarred West, Elevating Fire Risk
weather23 hours ago

Record Heat Dome Targets Drought-Scarred West, Elevating Fire Risk

A widespread heat dome is forecast to push temperatures well into the 100s and up to about 110°F across the Intermountain West and northern Plains, threatening tie-or-break records from Salt Lake City to Billings and driving higher fire-weather risk as drought persists; forecasters warn the heat could intensify this weekend, with monsoonal moisture and a moister air mass potentially offering some relief by mid-to-late July.

via The Washington Post|
#drought#el-nino#fire-weather
Heat Dome Grips Western Europe, Prolonging Extreme Heat Through Mid-July
weather2 days ago

Heat Dome Grips Western Europe, Prolonging Extreme Heat Through Mid-July

A massive upper-level heat dome anchored over Western and Southwestern Europe is trapping hot, dry air and driving temperatures well above normal into mid-July, with Iberia and France already recording 40°C-plus days, tropical nights in major cities, worsening soil moisture deficits, and escalating wildfire risk as the pattern expands north and east toward the UK, Ireland, and central Europe.

via Severe Weather Europe|
#drought#europe#heat-dome
Colorado battles six wildfires as 127,000 acres burn under extreme fire weather
environment8 days ago

Colorado battles six wildfires as 127,000 acres burn under extreme fire weather

Six large wildfires are scorching Colorado, totaling about 127,000 acres with the Aspen Acres blaze as the largest at roughly 47,953 acres and 0% containment. Dangerous, dry conditions and strong winds have spurred evacuations in Rye, Beulah and Wetmore, and firefighting teams—supported by air tankers and hundreds of engines, including 100 from California—are racing to gain the upper hand. An Alaska-based incident management team has taken command of the Aspen Acres response. Other active fires include Snyder (30,193 acres, 49% contained), Gold Mountain (18,005 acres), Ferris (27,382 acres), Willow (2,207 acres) and Big Sheep (1,153 acres). Officials warn growth is likely without relief, though moisture—and winds—are expected to shift by the weekend.

via The Colorado Sun|
#aspen-acres#colorado#drought
politics10 days ago

Rushmore Fireworks Reignite Wildfire Fears Ahead of July Fourth

Trump’s plan to revive fireworks at Mount Rushmore proceeds despite severe drought and wildfire risk in the Black Hills, with enhanced safety measures and a day‑of go/no‑go decision. Supporters tout precautions; critics warn of dangerous conditions and some Native leaders oppose the display on sacred lands, and a laser or drone show could replace fireworks if needed.

via Politico|
#drought#fireworks#mount-rushmore
Utah braces for record wildfire danger as first-ever red-flag warning hits
environment14 days ago

Utah braces for record wildfire danger as first-ever red-flag warning hits

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued Utah’s first-ever Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning for central and southern Utah as wildfires rage across the state. Gusty winds, dry conditions and drought have driven rapid fire growth, with the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver and the Iron Fire near Eureka growing and prompting evacuations, power shutoffs, and road closures. New fires appeared in Juab and Millard counties, while Gov. Cox banned fireworks statewide through July 5 to reduce risk.

via NBC News|
#drought#environment#evacuations
Summer 2026 Forecast Flags Heat, Drought and Fire Risk Across the U.S.
weather20 days ago

Summer 2026 Forecast Flags Heat, Drought and Fire Risk Across the U.S.

NOAA's summer forecast shows a warmer-than-average July–September for most of the U.S., with Oregon and Washington most likely to see above-normal temperatures; rainfall overall stays near average, but the Southwest and parts of the West could get above-average rain from monsoon moisture and tropical storms, potentially easing drought and wildfire risk there. The Northwest remains prone to higher fire risk, drought could intensify in the northern Rockies, and late-summer moisture could create flood risk from northern Texas to the Midwest.

via USA Today|
#drought#heat#monsoon
Europe Braces for a Prolonged June Heat Wave Fueled by a Sahara-Rooted Heat Dome
science22 days ago

Europe Braces for a Prolonged June Heat Wave Fueled by a Sahara-Rooted Heat Dome

A giant heat dome over Western Europe, driven by a strong upper-level ridge from Northwest Africa, is fueling an early and long-lasting heatwave across Iberia, France, and beyond. Dry soils from a record-breaking May amplify warming, with Iberia nudging toward 45 °C and Paris-area highs in the upper 30s to low 40s; the pattern is expected to persist through much of June, raising drought, wildfire, and heat-related health risks for vulnerable populations. Forecasters from ECMWF and GFS project near-record upper-atmosphere heights that will keep the heat plumes expanding north and east, though exact impacts will vary by region as the ridge remains parked over Western Europe.

via Severe Weather Europe|
#drought#europe#health-risk
Aztlan Pool in Northwest Denver Closes After Massive Daily Leak
local-news23 days ago

Aztlan Pool in Northwest Denver Closes After Massive Daily Leak

Northwest Denver’s Aztlan Outdoor Pool was closed indefinitely after officials detected a leak washing away more than 16,000 gallons of water daily, just as summer heat rises and the city remains under Stage 1 drought. Denver Parks and Recreation has about $15 million from the Vibrant Denver Bond set aside to fully replace the pool, though no start timeline was given. Nearby pools will stay open for now, and residents say the pool is a vital neighborhood gathering place. Denver Water notes DPR must meet a 20% water-use reduction for irrigation budgets and may impose fees for excess use, while the community awaits a rebuild timeline.

via Denver7|
#community#denver#drought
Super El Niño Rising: 2026 Could Be a Weather Game-Changer
science29 days ago

Super El Niño Rising: 2026 Could Be a Weather Game-Changer

NOAA has declared El Niño has begun, with forecasts evenly split between a strong to potentially super-El Niño this year. The odds of exceeding the 3.6°F threshold are about 63%, and some models project it could surpass 5.4°F, making it possibly the strongest on record. Such a powerful El Niño would boost global heat, increase wet conditions in the Southwest U.S., reduce Atlantic hurricane activity, and raise drought risks in regions like Indonesia and the Sahel, while amplifying ongoing global warming. Past super-El Niños caused major droughts and extreme events, and with global temperatures at record highs, 2026 could be among the hottest years on record.>},

via WIRED|
#climate-change#drought#el-nino
Colorado River Faces System Crash Without Bold Water Cuts
environment1 month ago

Colorado River Faces System Crash Without Bold Water Cuts

New research warns the Colorado River Basin is approaching a 'system crash' unless states dramatically curb water use. With Lake Mead around 1,049 feet (975 ft is a critical threshold) and Lake Powell’s outflows reduced, buffer storage could quickly vanish, threatening urban supplies and especially agriculture in the Lower Basin. The study argues current negotiations aren’t enough and calls for substantial mandatory cuts across Nevada, California and Arizona, potential upstream-downstream rebalancing, and possible Supreme Court action as drought and climate pressures intensify.

via Las Vegas Review-Journal|
#climate-change#colorado-river#drought
Colorado, Nevada push back on federal Colorado River plan amid drought
environment1 month ago

Colorado, Nevada push back on federal Colorado River plan amid drought

Colorado and Nevada negotiators signaled at a Boulder water conference that key parts of the Bureau of Reclamation’s plan to release water from Lake Powell and Lake Mead need revision, notably the idea of biannual reviews; with drought tightening supplies and Powell’s inflow forecasts at record lows, the long-standing compact remains unresolved as states fear litigation or a potential Supreme Court showdown. Reclamation aims to finalize a decade-long reservoir-operations plan within two months, but a temporary two-year approach from Lower Basin leaders and unresolved questions about who bears cuts and tribal allocations keep the dispute highly contentious.

via Colorado Public Radio|
#colorado-river#drought#environment