drought News

Weakened by Drought, Trees are Falling in Drenched California

Drenching winter rains combined with the punishing effects of six years of drought are causing trees to topple across California, in some cases with deadly results. At least two people have been killed in the past month. Seemingly sturdy oaks, …

California Soaked by ‘Atmospheric River’ Weather Phenomenon

They’re called “atmospheric rivers” and they can dump massive quantities of Pacific Ocean water on California, carrying it through the air from as far away as Hawaii. Here’s a look at the weather phenomenon that has swelled the state’s rivers, …

Escaping Tennessee Wildfires Meant Fleeing Through Hell-Like Landscape

With flames dripping from tree branches and the air filled with embers, thousands of people raced through a hellish landscape as they fled wildfires that killed three people and destroyed hundreds of homes and a resort in the Great Smoky …

La Nina’s Stay Temporary, Could Last Through Winter

La Nina has arrived and could hang around through winter, government weather forecasters said Thursday. La Nina, the flip side of El Nino, is the periodic cooling of the central Pacific Ocean that affects weather patterns around the globe. Predictions …

1.8M Western U.S. Homes at Extreme or High Wildfire Risk

Things haven’t gone as bad as they could have so far in 2016 coming off last year’s record-setting wildfire season in the Western U.S., according to a report out today detailing wildfire risks to properties in the Western U.S. The …

2016 Weather Disasters Tallied to Date

This summer’s weather was relentless and hellish, crowded with the type of record-smashing extremes that scientists have long warned about. The season ended last week, and not a moment too soon. Summer featured floods that killed hundreds of people and …

Researchers Warn of Heavy Rain, Droughts in Carolinas

Experts warn the Carolinas will face droughts and deluges in coming years. Scientists, farmers and water managers met in Charlotte this week to explore ways to deal with coming dry weather and the sudden flooding that the experts say will …

Northern California Wildfire Destroys More Than 100 Homes

A wind-whipped wildfire roared through a Northern California town threatened by a devastating blaze nearly a year ago, wiping out more than 100 homes and businesses and forcing thousands of people to flee, authorities said Monday. The fire seemed calm …

Researchers Say California Drought Recovery Could Take 4 Years

It could take California four years to recover from the most severe drought on record, even if the next several winters bring above-normal snowfall to the Sierra Nevada, researchers said Tuesday releasing a study. One winter of El Nino storms …

Less Severe Wildfire Season Expected in 2016

The upcoming wildfire season across the U.S. isn’t expected to be as bad as last year’s infernos, when a record 15,800 square miles burned, the nation’s top wildland firefighting official said Wednesday. But parts of the nation should expect a …