West Coast Drought

Posted by: OregonMouse

West Coast Drought - 01/17/14 06:45 PM

We've touched on this subject in a lot of posts, so I thought we should have a thread devoted to the general aspects of this worsening situation.

To start off: This article was posted today. Its author is a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington.

Oregon looks bad, but the situation in California is downright scary!

Posted by: billstephenson

Re: West Coast Drought - 01/17/14 08:11 PM

Wow, that is scary. I know I lived in SoCal during some very dry years, but I don't recall if they were record drought years. Some of them may have been. Either way it's worse there now and it surely makes for some tough choices.

How will this affect the fire risk? It could be that new growth has been low and that might reduce the risk some. On the other hand, things have got to be dried to a crisp.

Posted by: rockchucker22

Re: West Coast Drought - 01/17/14 08:27 PM

I bet not only no fires but no stoves either this year in the Sierras. They make make all the pct trail hikers carry a fire extinguisher(jk).
Posted by: jimmyb

Re: West Coast Drought - 01/17/14 10:30 PM

Yes, we are seeing from the East coast day after day of the horrible conditions worsening and it scares us as well. That is a big chunk of our country not counting the Texas area that is devastated by drought. If that jet stream doesn't return to a normal pattern as we know it its going to continue. Those who know their history of the great dust bowl will be reminded that these events can last many years. Yes their were problems in that period with abuse of the land but rainfall was still nonexistent. Consider now the increased population and the need to grow food for that many more people. Your not alone in your struggle, we are certainly pulling for you...we're all in this together.

jimmyb
Posted by: ndwoods

Re: West Coast Drought - 02/07/14 01:49 AM

It's finally raining!!!! Fill those reservoirs!:)
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: West Coast Drought - 02/07/14 05:03 PM

Per Prof. Cliff Mass' latest blog, "atmospheric rivers" out of the subtropics are due to hit California (and, evidently, Oregon) for the next week. These used to be known as "pineapple express," although at present any pineapples are frozen solid here in Oregon.

Hopefully, there will be enough moisture to alleviate the drought a while? Maybe even green up the hills around the bay area? When I went down for New Year's, everything was not even brown, but gray, and very dusty!

My daughter's dog (20 month old Lab/Golden cross), who is has been staying with me since New Year's, is having a wonderful time in the snow! He may not be so happy tomorrow when the freezing rain hits. Unfortunately he goes back to my daughter the 15th. I'm going to miss him!
Posted by: hikerduane

Re: West Coast Drought - 02/08/14 10:37 AM


Some snow here late Friday, some rain over night, looking better.
Tell your daughter you'll keep the doggie a while longer.:)
Duane
Posted by: aimless

Re: West Coast Drought - 02/08/14 01:32 PM

I'm going to miss him!

I'm sure he'll feel the same way. Be sure to go visit often. (This may have been part of your daughter's plan all along.) grin