In a record, all but two U.S. states are in drought
In a record, all but two U.S. states are in drought
Little rain has fallen since Hurricane Helene dropped huge amounts across the Southeast.
Summary
Almost the entire United States is experiencing drought conditions, with only Alaska and Kentucky unaffected, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Over the past four months, unusually high temperatures and infrequent rainfall have led to dry conditions across 87% of the country. New York City, facing its driest October since 1869, has issued a drought watch and is urging residents to conserve water.
Climate experts highlight that climate change is intensifying droughts, making them more frequent and severe, with La Niña potentially worsening conditions in the coming months.
While personal actions can help conserve water, larger-scale adaptations in infrastructure, agriculture, and water policy are more effective in addressing water scarcity.
This is how it starts. Begun, the water wars have
Alrighty Yoda, calm down
It seriously worries me since my country has the largest fresh water reserves in the world, it would become a battleground
What country? Asking for a friend...
I'm in Washington state. Before spring, we were told that we were in a drought due to low snow accumulation. Entire summer had fewer than 5 decent rain falls. I live in a rural area, and the risk of fire terrifies me.
Thats really surprising. Here in central oklahoma, weve had i think 5 tornadoes in 2 weeks. Each one has been accompanied by massive rainfalls, i nearly crashed my car about a week ago because the rain got so bad while i was driving.
Super quick rains wash away very quickly. Not enough time to soak into the soil so they don't lessen a drought very much. Need snow accumulating in high country, too, which isn't happening.
It soaks into my serpentine belt just fine :(
The solution is of course more oil drilling and burning more coal.
Think we can get all 50 next year?
Probably.
Blame the immigrants...blame the immigrants
Been in a drought here since June. Terrified my well is going to run dry, terrified that we are going to have a forest fire.
I kinda like that. My house is in the flood prone area
Drought makes floods worse. When the rain does come the dry land can't absorb as much of the water so it has nowhere to go but into the lakes and rivers.
So... where's it all going? Water doesn't just disappear.
Other parts of the planet. One area that’s received a disproportionate amount of precipitation this year is the Sahara. In Morocco, “two days of rainfall in September exceeded yearly averages in several areas that see less than 250 millimeters (10 inches) annually.”
thats the thing. less light rain and more severe storms. made to obliterate topsoil. im talking overall not just morrocco.
Alaska and Kentucky apparently
There's these large bodies of water called oceans. I believe it goes there (what with always going downhill and stuff).
More and more rain water runs off into streams, rivers and eventually the ocean because there isn't enough foliage to slow the water till it is absorbed by the soil. The foliage is typically replaced by concrete and asphalt (urban) or fields (rural).
Also the increased average temperature of the planet is causing changes in weather patterns and reducing rainfall (in many areas) and increasing the variance of rainfall causing cycles of drought and flood.
Hang on to your hats folks, it's gonna get worse before it gets better (if it will get better at all).