Summary: 99.2% of the state is abnormally dry or worse with 20.4% in exceptional drought, the worst drought category; June clocked in as the fifth warmest June in Texas since 1895; and, there’s a 60% chance of remaining in La Niña conditions through July–September and a 62%–66% chance through fall and early winter.
Author: Robert Mace
Robert Mace is the Executive Director and Chief Water Policy Officer at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and a Professor of Practice in the Department of Geography at Texas State University. Robert has over 30 years of experience in hydrology, hydrogeology, stakeholder processes, and water policy, mostly in Texas.
think+water: Uri saved Texas wheat, climate change might be good for corn in Burleson County, and farmers can extend Ogallala water by mixing it with Dockum water
This month we explore academic papers on the topics of analyzing how Winter Storm Uri influenced the drought severity across Texas, evaluating the impacts of climate change on maize productivity, and examining the suitability of the Dockum Aquifer to supplement the Ogallala Aquifer water by comparing recent water chemistries where the aquifers coexist.
outlook+water: 93% of the state is abnormally dry or worse, a potential third-year La Niña, May was dang hot
Summary: 93% of the state is abnormally dry or worse with 17% in Exceptional drought, the worst drought category. La Niña conditions are getting stronger with the fall and early winter favoring a continued La Niña advisory, which would make it only the second three-year La Nina since 1950. That was the second hottest May in Texas since 1895.
think+water: Long-term trends in the U.S. Drought Monitor, how to achieve environmental flows, and using love to solve water issues
This month we explore academic papers on the topics of analyzing the U.S. Drought Monitor to investigate long-term drought patterns across the country, identifying opportunities to increase the protection of environmental flows in Texas, and investigating trans-boundary water disputes to evaluate cooperative models employed to mitigate water fights.
outlook+water: 29% of state in exceptional drought, La Niña getting stronger and longer, expect an active hurricane season
Summary: 29% of the state is in exceptional drought, the worst drought category. La Niña conditions are getting stronger with the fall and early winter favoring a continued La Niña advisory. The Climate Prediction Center projects 14 to 21 named storms, of which 6 to 10 might become hurricanes.