Communications
| Drought Conditions Still Plaguing Much of Texas |
Drought Conditions Still Plaguing Much of Texas07/02/09 - Despite some recent rains, much of Texas is suffering from severe drought conditions and parts of the state are experiencing once-in-a-century dry weather, says John Nielsen-Gammon, a professor of atmospheric sciences who also serves as State Climatologist. He says the areas near San Antonio to Victoria and Corpus Christi are experiencing record-breaking drought. "According to the National Weather Service, the past 22 months have been among the driest ever for San Antonio," he explains. "In the Bryan-College Station area, the period from May to June is the second-driest on record, and Houston had its driest-ever period in that time. Central and South Central Texas have been hit pretty hard by this drought, and there is not much hope to see things get better." Nielsen-Gammon says many parts of the state that usually receive at least five inches of rain in May received an inch or less. Those record low amounts, coupled with record-setting heat, have produced a double whammy for farmers and ranchers. "We've seen August-like heat in June, and that rarely happens," he says. Many parts of the state recorded the warmest June on record, he adds. Nielsen-Gammon says about 23 percent of the state is either in an exceptional or extreme drought, and about 24 percent of Texas is suffering from severe drought conditions. "Exceptional" drought conditions are those that usually occur only once every 50 years. But not all of Texas has suffered equally, he notes. "Parts of West Texas from about Odessa to El Paso and the areas around Lubbock and Amarillo are in fairly good shape," he points out. "But much of the rest of the state is bone dry. "Unless there is a moderate tropical disturbance that can come up from the coast, it appears this drought is going to last for awhile." A video of John Nielsen-Gammon can be found at http://bit.ly/2oWUh. |
