Nearly 220 counties in a dozen drought-stricken states were added Wednesday to the U.S. government’s list of natural disaster areas as the nation’s agriculture chief unveiled new help for frustrated, cash-strapped farmers and ranchers grappling with extreme dryness and heat.
Source: Yahoo! News – Half of US counties now considered disaster areas
NASA is reporting the ice sheet that normally covers the nation of Greenland experienced an “unprecedented” melting in a four day span. The area of thawed ice jumped from 40% to 97% from July 8th to July 12th.
The jump is over 40% higher than any previous melting seen by satellites in the last 30 years.
Ice core records shows that the current ice melt at Greenland’s highest point, Summit station, is in line with levels not recorded since 1889. Continue reading
Extreme weather across the United States has muted many Fourth of July celebrations.
Dozens of cities across the country have scrapped fireworks displays due to the extreme heat wave drying out land and woods.
“The way I look at it,” Dale Seward of the Delphi, Indiana Chamber of Commerce told MSNBC, “I’d rather preside over the chamber that canceled fireworks one year than preside over the chamber that burned the school down.” Continue reading
The USDA is reporting that Michigan farmers could lose almost 95% some crops because of the unusually warm March weather.
The biggest blow will be to apple growers who will suffer a 90% loss totaling $110 million dollars. Peach growers will face losses of 95% totaling over $14 million. Continue reading
An unusual April snowstorm covered parts of the northeastern US with as much as 16 inches of snow. Weather forecasters are reporting that the storm could bring record snowfall for many communities.
The snow is described as “heavy and wet” which is causing cities to prepare for power outages and downed tress. A member of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Public Works department told KDKA-TV that they have a forestry division on standby for tree problems and issues. Continue reading