Arizona and the Southwest are experiencing an ominous winter 'rainy season', and there's nothing on the horizon to indicate anything will change:
As much of Arizona enters an 11th year of drought conditions, the state could experience its driest winter season in centuries. ... Arizona's mountains are virtually bare, with snowpack conditions worse than they were at the same time in 2002 — a year that set records as one of the driest in five centuries.
... But a stubborn weather pattern has been steering every storm north of Arizona so far this winter.
The Salt and Verde rivers' watersheds received just 0.14 of an inch of rain in November and December, and none has fallen in Phoenix since Oct. 18.
...The main effect of the dry winter in the Phoenix metropolitan area is an increase in water consumption, say city water departments. Mesa increased its use of Central Arizona Project water by 17% in November and 26% in December.
No comments:
Post a Comment