Readers know by now that the Western US is facing one of the most severe droughts in years. We’ve documented (read here & here) this spring of a “megadrought” sweeping across states like California and Nevada as risks of a second Dust Bowl increase by the day.
But in this note, let’s dive deeper into the drought and how it’s impacting farmers and the potential consequences it could have on crops. Meteorologists at BAMWX have published data on surface soil moisture over 20 years. Surface soil moisture is the water that is in the upper 4 inches and available for various types of plants. They found that the 2021 moisture deficit for early June is the worst it has ever been in two decades.
BAMWX’s Vince Bryan says the moisture deficit in the soil is “a concern” as it may impact plant development. Soil moisture plays a crucial role in agricultural monitoring, drought and flood forecasting, forest fire prediction, and water supply management.
Soil moisture observations can alert of impending drought, such as what’s been underway in the Western US this year.
We’re all waiting for the first crab count in the Chesapeake to get the prices up before watermen “find” another abundance this summer!
You go, Save The Bay!
clitifornia knew this was coming never did anything to prepare for it. rejected building desalinization plants over 40 years ago. sucks to be you, stupid aholes!
It may be the worst drought in years for California but it is NOT anything unusual and history shows California has periods of wet and the periods of drought.
More shock fake news to get you to sacrifice your rights on the alter of the god of global warming.
they sold their aquifers to Nestlé
in one instance they have taken billions of gallons of water on a permit that expired in 1998 and isn’t even valid.
greed on both sides.