drought | Common News Update

Aug212022 by adminNo Comments

UK drought: Why do the trees think it’s autumn already?

Science

Getty ImagesFrom the crunch of leaves underfoot and the fiery foliage adorning the trees, you might be thinking autumn has come early.But experts say this hint of a change in the seasons isn't genuine. Instead it's the tell-tale sign of a "false autumn".They warn the heatwave and drought has pushed trees into survival mode, with leaves dropping off or changing colour as a result of stress.And some may end up dying as a result.Why we need to get used to wonky vegetablesWildlife under stress as dry spell shrinks riversSewage hits dozens of UK beaches after heavy rainGetty ImagesAuburn leaves and early leaf fall are both signs that trees are stressed and "shutting up shop", says Leigh Hunt, senior horticultural advisor at the Royal Horticultural Society."It's giving the appearance that we're...

Aug142022 by adminNo Comments

Climate change: Drought highlights dangers for electricity supplies

Science

Getty ImagesThe ongoing drought in the UK and Europe is putting electricity generation under pressure, say experts.Electricity from hydropower - which uses water to generate power - has dropped by 20% overall.And nuclear facilities, which are cooled using river water, have been restricted.There are fears that the shortfalls are a taste of what will happen in the coming winter.In the UK, high temperatures are hitting energy output from fossil, nuclear and solar sources.That is because the technology in power plants and solar panels work much less well in high temperatures.The prolonged dry spell is putting further pressure on energy supplies as Europe scrambles for alternative sources after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Millions hit by hosepipe bans as drought declaredUS Senate passes sw...

Feb152021 by adminNo Comments

Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle: Timo Werner ends goal drought in Blues win

Sports

Timo Werner scored and assisted as he ended a 14-game goal drought to help Chelsea to victory over Newcastle in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.Werner's cross rebounded out to Olivier Giroud to net Chelsea's opener in the first half, after the France striker replaced the injured Tammy Abraham.Summer signing Werner then made it 2-0 eight minutes later, scrambling in a flick-on at the back post.Victory sees Chelsea move back up to fourth place, ahead of West Ham. The Hammers, who comfortably beat Sheffield United earlier on Monday night, are level on points with Chelsea but both sides sit above defending champions Liverpool as competition for Champions League places heats up.1,000 minutes, 31 attempts, 14 gamesWerner came into this match having not scored since a 4-1 win against bottom...

Oct102020 by adminNo Comments

Ocean patterns help scientists forecast drought, water flow in the Colorado river

Science

Oct. 9 (UPI) -- By analyzing what researchers call "long-term ocean memory," scientists have been able to identify connections between flow rates in the Colorado River and sea surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The breakthrough analysis -- described Friday in the journal Communications Earth and Environment -- allowed scientists to develop a forecasting model capable of predicting the Colorado River water supply on multi-year timescales. Advertisement The Colorado River, the most important water resource in the West, is essential to energy production, food and drinking water security, forestry and tourism in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. Access to more accurate long-term forecasting models could aid water resource management decisions. ...

Mar312020 by adminNo Comments

Ongoing drought in Brazil, Argentina threatens crucial crop harvests

World

An unusually dry end to the summer season across parts of South America is expected to impact the harvests of important crops in the region. "Rainfall averaged below normal across much of southern Brazil, including [the states of] Rio Grande Do Sul, Santa Catarina, for the month of March, and in many instances the entire summer season," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls. Some major cities in these states include Porto Alegre, Santa Maria and Florianopolis, although even Curitiba in Parana had a drier-than-normal month of March. All of the above cities saw 35 percent or less of their normal rainfall for the month, which has proven significant for growing areas of corn and soybeans. Although not as extreme, parts of northern Argentina, which are also contributing produ...