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As if you couldn't tell from all the moths, we're in a drought
By adamg on Thu, 07/07/2016 - 9:35am
Orange is "severe" drought; brown is "moderate" drought; yellow is "abnormally dry."
The United States Drought Monitor's latest Massachusetts map came out this morning - and it shows a "severe" or "moderate" drought across much of the state.
As of July 1, the Quabbin was at 90.1% of capacity.
Experts say one of the reasons for our current gypsy-moth explosion is that the dry weather over the past year or so has limited the growth of the fungus that normally consumes them.
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Comments
Nantucket isn't zoned
for drought. They make their own rain.
Nantucket
Had four inches of rain in thunderstorms a couple of days ago. I'm sure that helped.
Four inches?
An Irish rain storm.
9 inches? Just like me
9 inches? almost as big as me
The Peter Bouchard
principle.
Nope
It all ran off.
One rainstorm doesn't fix a drought. Several days of steady rain, maybe. A deluge? Nope.
What is missing
Is the definition of drought in this story/study. Moisture content? Aquifer condition? Reservoir level? Fire danger? I just went with precipitation compared to normal in my previous comment.
Obviously, a short-term rainfall won't cure long-term affects, such as one El Niño winter compared to the long-term precipitation deficit in the west.
Here You Go
This particular graphic that Adam posted is created for every state by the United States Drought Monitor (full entry here: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA). The U.S. Drought Monitor is produced through a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Criteria include:
Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI)
CPC Soil Moisture Model (Percentiles)
USGS Weekly Streamflow (Percentiles)
Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI)
Objective Drought Indicator Blends (Percentiles)
Somewhat different, these are the criteria which underlay the drought determinations by the drought task force for the Commonwealth:
Standardized Precipitation Index
Crop Moisture Index
Keetch-Byram Drought Index
Precipitation
Groundwater
Streamflow
Reservoir
For more information (and a criteria table):
http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dcr/watersupply/rainfall/description-drough...
http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/eea/wrc/droughtplan.pdf
Thanks, Swirly
n/t
What does DROUGHT mean to me?
And what does DROUGHT mean to society?
OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER: I have a professional role in this and I feel inclined to share what I know without breaking any embargoes about what the Commonwealth is going to do about it.
Why is this drought this year a big problem?
Reason #1: It's the heat, because there is no humidity!
Low humidity means things are drying out at alarming rates. That means what little rain that we have been getting doesn't keep anything wet for long. The career NWS guys have not ever seen dewpoints go so low during hot weather in the area.
Our weather has been Massafornicated with the Ozone problems to match (low humidity helps Ozone form). Plant matter is also drying out at an astounding rate, leading to ...
Reason #2: Fire danger is higher than anyone can remember it. It is objectively extreme.
We aren't talking April brushfires here - we are talking about the potential for large areas of land to burn for days or even weeks. We are talking about fires burning 10" down into the soil - like the ones that cleared off many of the mountain tops in our region. The hazard level is completely unheard of in this state.
Reason #3: Streams are drying out.
Stream flows are at historic lows in many places, and <10% of normal in most of the region. This means that communities that are dependent on surface water are already starting rationing steps, and the ecosystem is further stressed.
Reason #4: Groundwater is drying up.
When aquifers do not recharge, individuals and communities dependent on ground water have problems. Adding to this is the need for agricultural irrigation, which has been considerable this year. The net effect is that wells are starting to run dry in some areas.
The Quabbin is at 89% of normal because it is just fracking huge enough to stockpile Snowmageddon, and serves as a back up to a lot of other reservoirs. If you are not on Quabbin water, then you are hosed ... except you won't be allowed to use your hose if this keeps up. About 120 water districts have started restrictions, and enforcement will be strict as this situation deteriorates.
Central and Northeastern MA are the hardest hit, but there are also problems in Southeastern MA and brewing problems in the Western part of the state. The fire danger is high throughout the state and is probably the biggest concern going forward.
About the only thing that will end this Earthquake Weather we have been having is a tropical system sitting on us for several days and playing car wash. The rain in the forecast this weekend is not nearly enough, and downpours run off where steady rain soaks in.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Water by hand in the early/late hours of the day and only what needs to be watered.
2. DO NOT DO STUPID THINGS WITH FIRE. Mind your ciggies, grills, campfires, fire pits, fireworks, etc.
3. Be aware of the air quality conditions (www.airnow.gov)
4. If you want a clean car, consider going to a car wash that recycles water.
5. Shower with a friend. :-)
6. Comply with any and all watering restrictions issued by your water district.
Credit where it's due ...
Credit where it's due ...
For every X posts you make that I roll my eyes at, you then post a gem like this. Very helpful, informative info. While I love my urban, Back Bay lifestyle, I came of age in the boondocks, and know from the dangers of drought and potential fire situations. Thanks for this, hat-tip to you tonight.
The view from here
I'm seeing more wildlife crossing roads in daylight hours, and I wonder if this has to do with streams and other sources drying up, so that they have to seek out larger sources.
I'm also seeing people simply let their lawns die, and I'm a huge fan of this. It's the responsible thing to do. I'm watering my vegetable garden as needed in the evening, using a soaker hose that's laid along the bases of the plants for maximum effect, and a watering can or two a week for the flower garden, maybe. Anything that can't make it on that is just going to have to die.
I must live in the city now...
I haven't seen ONE gypsy moth this year in my little West Roxbury/Caladonia-on-Charles hamlet. Quite the change from growing up in Hanover, and watching my little brother step on the caterpillars with his bare feet. (EWWW!)