Storm Troopers

GAO Report: How the experts would tackle climate change

At the behest of Congress, the GAO elicited the opinions of 18 experts in climage change economics to discuss what actions Congress should consider taking to address the climate change issue. All of the panelists agreed that Congress should consider using a market-based mechanism to put a price on greenhouse gases. 8 thought we should go with a cap-and-trade strategy with the government retaining the ability to use a cost-control mechanism. 7 preferred a tax on emissions. 3 liked the cap-and-trade strategy without the cost-control mechanism.

Lieberman-Warner climate bill: Crash and burn

As expected by most pundits, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security bill did not get the required votes to move forward in the Senate.

Spring isn't expected to ease West Texas drought

This spring drought outlook also shows a persistent drought forming over West Texas while East Texas remains normal.

Bill Hanna

Despite rains, drought still forming over West Texas

A drought still appears to be forming over West and South Texas. The good news is North Texas and East Texas appear to be in much better shape than they were a month ago.
Bill Hanna

Rainfall totals now above normal at DFW Airport

DFW has now caught up on rainfall. Since March 1, DFW Airport has recorded 3.29 inches of rainfall. That's 2.29 inches above normal. We're also above normal for the year. Since Jan. 1, DFW Airport has recorded 5.86 inches of rainfall. Normally, we would have received 5.27 inches of rainfall by this time of year. Last year, which was an unusually wet winter, DFW Airport recorded 6.02 inches by March 11. The Daily Climate Report also notes a snowfall total of 2.1 inches this year, that's 2 inches above normal. The next chance of rain? On Thursday, there's a 20 percent of rain and a slight chance of rain Sunday night and Monday.

Bill Hanna

West Texas, Hill Country facing drought conditions

Despite snow and rains in North Texas on Thursday, the Western half of Texas is facing drought conditions. The Climate Prediction Center says a persistent drought is in place over parts of West Texas, the Hill Country and the Rio Grande Valley. And forecasters are predicting a drought to form over far West Texas during the next three months.

Bill Hanna

Persistent drought predicted across much of Texas

Along with the other postings, this also shows the Climate Prediction Center is expecting a pretty serious drought to form across the middle of Texas. North Central Texas would be on the edge of this drought.

Bill Hanna

It could be a dry spring across Texas

While we may have a chance of rain in the next few days, it doesn't look good over the next three months. The Climate Prediction Center's 3-month outlook shows below normal precipitation for the Southern U.S. Nick Harrison of the Texas Forest Service said forecasters are worried that fire season could extend beyond spring. "The way it looks right now we may not the rain until May. If we don't get our spring rains this year, it's going to be a very long year," Harrison said.

Bill Hanna

Drought conditions improve here, worsen elsewhere

Last weekend's rains helped drought conditions here but some portions of Southwest Texas are now experiencing extreme drought.
Bill Hanna

La Nina isn't going away

The Climate Prediction Center says the Southern and Western U.S. can expect above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation over the next several months. One of the key factors is La Nina, where sea temperatures are colder than normal off the Pacific coast of South America. La Nina is believed to be one of the factors in this warm, dry winter. But La Nina's influence on weather patterns tends to wane during the spring and summer so the fact that it is still present may not mean much.

Bill Hanna