Most Texans would agree with Jim Norwine, a geographer and climatologist at Texas A&M-Kingsville, that our state has "problematic" climates and that both private and public decision-makers need the best available climate data and analysis on where we may be heading next month and in years ahead.
Determined to keep the U.S. on the cutting edge of climate data and analysis for decision-making, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has asked Congress to approve a climate services program. Reorganization and streamlining of existing NOAA climate data and science programs will be made accessible to the public via its website, www.climate.gov. This "one-stop shopping" would serve business, the public and officials seeking information on climate variability and change.
The current Texas drought is an example of climate variability that continues to set records and is officially the third-worst in recorded history, according to John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas state climatologist at Texas A&M University. At least half of the state is in an "exceptional drought," the highest level, and many parts of Texas are from 10 inches to 20 inches behind in rainfall. The science and analysis of droughts, floods and heat waves are just a few of the climate extremes that will be studied and reported on by the NOAA Climate Services program.
Read the complete story from The Houston Chronicle.