Some parts of Texas approaching worst-ever drought

[LeftInTX]

Some parts of Texas approaching worst-ever drought
By CHRIS TOMLINSON, Associated Press
Updated 11:42 am, Tuesday, February 5, 2013

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas continues to suffer a serious rainfall deficit and is on track to experience the second-worst drought on record, the state climatologist said Tuesday.

John Nielsen-Gammon told the House and Senate Natural Resources Committees that most of the state is still in extreme drought and the forecast tilts toward drier-than-normal conditions through the spring. For some parts of the state, the current drought may end up being the worst ever recorded.

"No corner of the state has been spared dry conditions, the drought persists at historic levels," he said. "In summary, 2011 was about as bad as it gets for agriculture, but it is these multi-year droughts that strain water supplies and there is still a good chance this will end up being the drought of record for most of the state."

Texas has only received 68 percent of its normal rainfall, and reservoirs are at their lowest levels since 1990, Nielsen-Gammon said. He said high temperatures due to climate change have exacerbated the drought.

"The state temperature has increased on average by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the 1970s, and so that impacts drought through evaporation and loss of water once it reaches the ground," he said. "While there is greater hurricane activity over the water that tends to suppress ordinary summer thunderstorm activity over land."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/texas/article/Some-parts-of-Texas-approaching-worst-ever-drought-4251173.php

[Bette]

1. But gov'na

Guess you better start praying now. Mr Perry. Not that it worked last time. Or you could always try HIRING some more firefighters...what a concept.

[tblue]

2. Poor Texas.

[ashling]

3. But we've got plenty of water for fracking

which frackin companies then pollute and inject into deeper groundwater which we may have to drink someday.

[onestepforward]

5. Exactly.

There is no stewardship of our water supply, or anything else environmental.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. I am frightened to see what happens this summer in Houston, all of Harris County,

and Montgomery. I don't want a repeat of the Magnolia fires on a grander scale.

[LeftInTX]

6. A sad day....

same day as the Bastrop fire