Climatologists Preparing For Near-Record Texas Drought
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: February 5, 2013
AUSTIN -- As spring rapidly approaches in the Lone Star State, climatologists are preparing for near-record drought conditions.
Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon told the House and Senate Natural Resources Committees on Tuesday that most of the Lone Star State is still in extreme drought.
Worse still, Texas is on pace to experience its second-worst drought on record.
In fact, parts of Texas are expected to have their worst drought on record as 2013 continues.
Neilsen-Gammon told lawmakers that Texas has only received 68 percent of its normal rainfall, and he added that reservoirs are at their lowest levels since 1990.
Furthermore, the average temperature in the Lone Star State has jumped 2 degrees Fahrenheit on average each year.
The rising temperatures have caused collected water to evaporate faster, which has helped raise wildfire danger across Texas.
Additionally, deputy director for water at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality L'Oreal Stepney told lawmakers that 1,011 communities have imposed water restrictions, and 19 water systems have less than 180 days of water
Several Texas lawmakers are hoping to pass a comprehensive state water plan to deal with ongoing drought issues.
Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon told the House and Senate Natural Resources Committees on Tuesday that most of the Lone Star State is still in extreme drought.
Worse still, Texas is on pace to experience its second-worst drought on record.
In fact, parts of Texas are expected to have their worst drought on record as 2013 continues.
Neilsen-Gammon told lawmakers that Texas has only received 68 percent of its normal rainfall, and he added that reservoirs are at their lowest levels since 1990.
Furthermore, the average temperature in the Lone Star State has jumped 2 degrees Fahrenheit on average each year.
The rising temperatures have caused collected water to evaporate faster, which has helped raise wildfire danger across Texas.
Additionally, deputy director for water at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality L'Oreal Stepney told lawmakers that 1,011 communities have imposed water restrictions, and 19 water systems have less than 180 days of water
Several Texas lawmakers are hoping to pass a comprehensive state water plan to deal with ongoing drought issues.
