DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Inside Poland Spring’s Hidden Attack on Water Rules It Didn’t Like
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Hiroko Tabuchi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

The BlueTriton bottling plant in Poland Spring, Maine, this month. Water Clashes NationwideBlueTriton finds itself pitted against local water boards, environmentalists and other groups across the country. Aquifers Water bottling facility BlueTriton facility Aquifers Water bottling facility BlueTriton facility Aquifers Water bottling facility BlueTriton facility Water bottling facility Aquifers BlueTriton facility Water bottling facility Aquifers BlueTriton facility Water bottling facility Aquifers BlueTriton facility Sources: U.S. Geological Survey; Continental U.S. aquifer map data from GebreEgziabher, Jasechko and Perrone, Nature Communications (2022) Mira Rojanasakul/The New York TimesIn California, BlueTriton has publicly criticized and vowed to fight a cease-and-desist order issued by the state’s water board to stop diverting millions of gallons of water from a spring in San Bernardino County. Poland Spring water was first packaged as a local elixir in the mid-1800s. The original Poland Spring water source.

Persons: BlueTriton, ”, Elizabeth M, Frazier, haven’t, Christopher Kessler, Bottlers, Ms, Frazier didn’t, Anthony Moffa, Mark Lawrence, Lawrence, Mira Rojanasakul, State Legislature’s, Margaret M, “, John Mullaney, Roger Crouse, Cheryl Dieter, Metropoulos, Nestlé, John McGowan, Natalie DiPentino, DiPentino, Poland Spring, BlueTriton’s Organizations: The New York Times, Times, Democratic, Energy, Utilities, Technology, Maine State House, ”, Industries, University of Maine School of Law ., Democrat, Water, . Geological Survey, Continental, Nature Communications, New York Times, State, Poland, U.S, Geological, Water Science, Industry, Maine Water Utilities Association, United States Geological Survey, Rock Capital Partners, Metropoulos, Moody’s Investors Service Locations: Maine, Poland, Poland Spring , Maine, South Portland, Michigan, Colorado, Augusta, In Colorado, Arkansas, United States, Continental U.S, GebreEgziabher, California, San Bernardino County, In Michigan, Lincoln, Lincoln , Maine, New York, BlueTriton’s Poland, Chaffee County , Colorado

PARIS, Oct 5 (Reuters) - The Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak, has lost more than two metres (6.5 ft) in two years and shrunk to its lowest level since precise measurements started 22 years ago as warmer summers reduced snowpack size, researchers said on Thursday. She added this year's particularly low level was probably due to a lack of rain and a hot summer. When precise GNSS satellite measurements started in September 2001, the Mont Blanc stood at 4,010.40 metres. A view of the Mont Blanc mountain from Le Brevent, in Chamonix, France, June 14, 2022. Farouk Kadded at Leica Geosystems said that this year, for the first time since 2015 - when scientists started measurements in June too - Mont Blanc's snowpack in September had remained virtually unchanged from June.

Persons: topographers, Mont, Cecile Taffin, Mont Blanc, Le Brevent, Denis Balibouse, Farouk Kadded, Topographers, Kadded, Kate Entringer, Dominique Vidalon, Manuel Ausloos, Geert De Clercq, William Maclean, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Leica, Thomson Locations: Blanc , Western, Chamonix, French, Mont Blanc, Le, France, snowpack

☆ An El Niño winter is coming: What could that mean for the US?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

El Niño is one of three phases of the El Niño Southern Oscillation, which tracks water temperature changes in the equatorial Pacific Ocean that can have rippling effects on weather patterns around the globe. A wetter southern tier and a drier northern tier in an outlook for this winter from the Climate Prediction Center have all the fingerprints of an El Niño winter. El Niño winter patterns are less regular in California, the Southwest and the Northeast. The Northeast doesn’t have a well-defined set of expectations during an El Niño winter. A very strong El Niño during the 2015-2016 winter contributed to the warmest winter on record for the US mainland, according to NOAA.

Persons: it’s, Niño, El Niño, Niña, Harry Lynch Organizations: CNN, El, West, NOAA, Rockies, snowpack, ., Raleigh News, Observer, Tribune, Service, Carolinas Locations: El, Southern, Texas , Louisiana, Mississippi, South, Pacific Northwest, Plains, Midwest, Pacific, California, Raleigh , North Carolina, Texas, East Coast

It’s usually an inexpensive, efficient way to transport crops, as a typical group of 15 barges lashed together carries as much cargo as about 1,000 trucks. A narrowed shipping lane also means barges from different companies must squeeze into limited space, forcing backups and delays. Months of dry and warm weather have hit the Midwest hard, damaging crops in much of the region west of the Mississippi River. In Kansas, 40% of the soybean crop was reported in poor or very poor condition, with the same conditions for 40% of the corn crop in Missouri. From his work site beside the Mississippi River in Red Wing, Minnesota, Jim Larson watches as the river rises and falls through the seasons.

Persons: Farmer Bruce Peterson, chuckled, ” Peterson, “, Louis, Paul, that’s, Nature, ”, Merritt Lane, Lane, Tom Heinold, ” Heinold, Heinold, Mike Steenhoek, Steenhoek, Jim Larson, Larson Organizations: DES, Canal Barge, New, Engineers, “, Soy Transportation Coalition, Red Locations: DES MOINES, Iowa, Mississippi, Gulf of Mexico, Minnesota, New Orleans, St, Minneapolis, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Davenport , Iowa, Savanna , Illinois, Rock, Missouri, In Kansas, U.S, United States, Red Wing , Minnesota

AQUIFERS AQUIFERS AQUIFERS WASH. MAINE MONT. MONITORING WELLS MONITORING WELLS MONITORING WELLS WASH. MAINE MONT. FLA. DECLINING WELLS DECLINING WELLS DECLINING WELLS WASH. MAINE MONT. FLA. UNCHARTED WATERS America Is Using Up Its Groundwater Like There’s No Tomorrow Overuse is draining and damaging aquifers nationwide, a New York Times data investigation revealed. Groundwater level trends Rising Declining Groundwater level trends Rising Declining Groundwater level trends Rising Declining Groundwater level trends Rising Declining Note: Colors depict the median trend for each site over the previous 20 years.

☆ How much water is left in the Colorado River? Scientists and officials are scrambling to find out
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

It’s a remarkable turnaround that will give back billions of gallons of Colorado River water to millions of people in the Southwest, primarily in Arizona and Nevada. Snow-covered peaks near the headwaters of the Colorado River outside Winter Park, Colorado, in March. Scientists estimate that Colorado River flows have decreased by about 20% compared to the early 20th century. “There are tough choices ahead,” Becky Mitchell, the Colorado commissioner for the Upper Colorado River Commission, told CNN. Bill Hasencamp, the manager of Colorado River Resources for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Persons: It’s, Brenda Burman, “, Will Lanzoni, Jessica Lundquist, ” Lundquist, Jason Connolly, Jonathan Overpeck, ” Overpeck, you’ve, Brad Udall, Udall, ” Udall, We’ve, haven’t, “ What’s, ” Becky Mitchell, “ It’s, ” Burman, ”, Bill Hasencamp Organizations: CNN, Southwest, Central Arizona Project, of Reclamation, University of Washington, Rockies, Getty, University of Michigan’s School for Environment, Sustainability, Biden, UCLA, Colorado State University, Scientists, The Central, Commission, Colorado River Resources, Metropolitan Water Locations: Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Rocky, University, Winter, , Colorado, AFP, Lake Mead, The Central Arizona, Scottsdale , Arizona, Phoenix, Metropolitan Water District, Southern California, Los Angeles

☆ Judge sides with young activists in first-of-its-kind climate change trial in Montana
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Youth plaintiffs in the climate change lawsuit, Held vs. Montana, arrive at the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse, on June 20, 2023, in Helena, Mont., for the final day of the trial. A Montana judge on Monday sided with young environmental activists who said state agencies were violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by permitting fossil fuel development without considering its effect on the climate. That leaves slim chances for immediate change in a fossil fuel-friendly state where Republicans dominate the statehouse. Julia Olson, an attorney representing the youth, released a statement calling the ruling a "huge win for Montana, for youth, for democracy, and for our climate." "Montanans can't be blamed for changing the climate — even the plaintiffs' expert witnesses agreed that our state has no impact on the global climate.

Persons: Lewis, Kathy Seeley, Judge Seeley, Julia Olson, Olson, Emily Flower, Austin Knudsen Organizations: Republicans, Montana, Trust, Montana Attorney Locations: . Montana, Clark, Helena, Mont, Montana, U.S, West, Oregon

EL CAJON, California, Aug 11 (Reuters) - California firefighters are using artificial intelligence to help spot wildfires, feeding video from more than 1,000 cameras strategically placed across the state into a machine that alerts first responders when to mobilize. But AI alerted a fire captain who called in about 60 firefighters including seven engines, two bulldozers, two water tankers and two hand crews. Part of Leininger's job is to help the machine learn. With hundreds of specialists repeating the exercise up and down the state, the AI has already become more accurate in just a few weeks, Driscoll said. "We need to use technology to help move the needle, even if it's a little bit."

Persons: Neal Driscoll, ALERTCalifornia, Shane Montgomery, Mike Blake, Suzann Leininger, Driscoll, Daniel Trotta, Donna Bryson, Diane Craft Organizations: Cleveland National Forest, Cal Fire, University of California, UCSD, Cal, Bronco, Cal Fire Air Attack, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: CAJON , California, California, Cleveland, San Diego, University of California San Diego, Chico , California, Hawaii, Canada, Ramona, San Diego County , California, U.S, El Cajon

☆ Opinion | It’s August. Californians Are Still Skiing. Don’t Ask.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Daniel Duane | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Some ski resorts had to close because they had too much snow. Two of the biggest ski resorts on Lake Tahoe were still hopping on the Fourth of July, a time of year when the mountains are usually full of wildflowers. And don’t bother trying to get used to them in their new form, because they’re going to keep changing, at an ever-faster pace. On an emotional level, there’s something undeniably frightening about that — where’s it all going? — but it can also, in a rare instance like the chance to ski in the dog days of summer, bring a disorienting joy.

Persons: San Francisco — Organizations: Nevada snowpack Locations: San Francisco, Phoenix, California, Nevada

☆ Drought-stricken Mexico is flying planes into clouds to make it rain
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In July, the country kicked off the latest phase of a cloud seeding project that aims to artificially stimulate rainfall. However, some scientists remain very cautious about the effectiveness of cloud seeding and warn that it is not a solution to drought. Jose Luis Gonzalez/ReutersMexico contends that its current cloud seeding project, which it has been running since December 2020, has had a positive impact. “But is the rain from cloud seeding or is it not from cloud seeding? Cloud seeding “should be considered only as one element” in a much broader strategy, wrote García and Martínez.

Persons: Roelef, Bruintjes, Jose Luis Gonzalez, ”, Fernando García García, Guillermo Montero Martínez Organizations: CNN, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Startup, Reuters, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development Locations: Mexico, United States, China, Coyame, Chihuahua, Reuters Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho

☆ Colorado River Basin has lost 10 trillion gallons -- enough water to fill Lake Mead, study shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Rising temperatures have sucked more than 10 trillion gallons of water out of the Colorado River Basin between 2000 and 2021 – a volume about the size of Lake Mead – according to a recent study. The Tier 1 shortage took effect in January 2022; a Tier 2 shortage – due to even lower water levels at Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir – was implemented in January 2023. Last summer in particular set off alarm bells when the water level in Lake Mead dropped an astonishing 20 feet over the course of four months. Mead, fed by the Colorado River, fell to its lowest level to-date in July 2022, with lake elevation of 1040 feet. “Even though there’s been a wet winter, there’s still going to be that 10% reduction in runoff.”The Colorado River flows through the Grand Canyon on the Hualapai reservation.

Persons: Lake Mead –, ” Benjamin Bass, “, John Locher, Lake Mead, Mead, ” Bass, Bass, there’s, Ethan Gutmann, ”, ” Gutmann Organizations: CNN, UCLA, Water Resources Research, AP State, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration Locations: Colorado, Lake, American, Lake Mead, snowier

☆ Stunning before-and-after photos show how heavy rain and snow replenished California's dried up reservoirs, even bringing a zombie lake back to life
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Photos showed the dramatic transformation at Lake Oroville, the second-largest reservoir. Some lakes, like Tulare Lake in the Central Valley, have also re-emerged after being drained years ago. Photos of Lake Oroville taken in September of 2021 and April of 2023 showed the stark transformation. The Enterprise Bridge at Lake Oroville in Oroville, California on September 05, 2021 (top), and on April 16, 2023 (below). Houseboats parked at a marina at Lake Oroville in Oroville, California, on September 05, 2021 (top) and on April 16, 2023 (below).

Persons: Josh Edelson, It's, David, Jae C Organizations: Service, Los Angeles Times, Getty, Washington Post, Post Locations: Oroville, Tulare, Central, California, Shasta, Lake Oroville, Oroville , California, AFP, Fresno County, Mississippi, Corcoran, Calif

☆ Why are frozen vegetable prices so high? Blame war, fewer immigrants and California weather, say economists
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"Some areas were just inundated," which had the effect of decreasing vegetable supply, Tronstad said. Overall, the state accounts for nearly half of U.S. vegetable production, according to California Polytechnic State University. George Rose/Getty ImagesBut weather — and its negative impact on crop supply — isn't the only contributor to higher prices for frozen vegetables. The higher prices give farmers a "strong incentive" to plant these commodity products over others (like vegetables), a dynamic that could decrease vegetable supply, Bodor said. Labor supply pressured by reduced Mexican migrationLong-term immigration trends are also serving to put upward pressure on labor costs for farmers, economists said.

Persons: Tayfun, Tronstad, Pam Knox, George Rose, Alison Bodor, Bodor, Trey Malone, Zach Rutledge, Rutledge, Russell Tronstad Organizations: Anadolu Agency, Getty, State, Central Valley . Citizen, Getty Images, California Department of Food, Agriculture, California Polytechnic State University, University of Georgia, Food, Growers, University of Arkansas, Labor, Michigan State University, University of Arizona U.S, Agricultural Workers Survey, University of California Locations: Lompoc , California, Sierra Nevada, Central Valley ., Getty Images California, brussels, U.S, Ukraine, Sacramento, San Joaquin Rivers, Rio Vista , California, Mexico, Davis

☆ As Climate Shocks Multiply, Designers Seek Holy Grail: Disaster-Proof Homes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Christopher Flavelle | More About Christopher Flavelle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

John duSaint, a retired software engineer, recently bought property near Bishop, Calif., in a rugged valley east of the Sierra Nevada. The area is at risk for wildfires, severe daytime heat and high winds — and also heavy winter snowfall. But Mr. duSaint isn’t worried. And it can withstand high winds and heavy snowpack. “The dome shell itself is basically impervious,” Mr. duSaint said.

Persons: John duSaint, duSaint isn’t, Mr, duSaint Organizations: Calif Locations: Bishop, Sierra Nevada

☆ Space photos show over 1 trillion gallons of water flooding crop fields in California, and it could mean higher food prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Rebecca Strong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Tulare Lake used to be the largest lake west of the Mississippi River. This year's rain and snowmelt have replenished the lake, flooding many of the region's farms. And here's what it looked like on April 30:This is how the area looked on April 30, after Tulare Lake flooded. As of June, the flooded parts of Tulare Lake spanned about 178 square miles, or 113,920 acres — almost the size of Lake Tahoe. Tulare Lake began to reappear this March, before the Sierra Nevada snowpack started meltin.

Persons: Lauren Dauphin, NASA EOSDIS LANCE, Brad Rippey, Rippey, Dennis Hutson, Hutson, Nicholas Pinter, University of California Davis, — Organizations: Farmers, Service, NASA, U.S . Geological Survey, United States Department of Agriculture, Atmospheric Administration, TAC Farm, for Watershed Sciences, University of California, Agriculture Assembly, Southern Sierra, Southern Sierra Nevada snowpack, San, Sierra, Sierra Nevada snowpack Locations: Tulare, Mississippi, Wall, Silicon, California, U.S, San Joaquin, Tulare Lake, Lake Tahoe, Tulare County, San Joaquin Valley, Tulare Lake ., Southern Sierra Nevada, Joaquin Valley, Sierra Nevada, Central

☆ Climate event El Niño could hit the economy from food prices to clothing sales this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But that’s not the only effects expected: Combined with climate change, El Niño this year could dent US economic growth, potentially impacting everything from food prices to the winter clothing sales. Higher food prices are a common theme across El Niño events, according to a recent Deutsche Bank report. Dry weather has parched crops in El Salvador as the El Niño weather threatens food security. The last time there was an El Niño in 2018 through 2019, NOAA dubbed it “The Great Puny El Niño” due to its relatively weak impact on weather conditions. He projects that El Niño weather events could cause $84 trillion in economic losses in the 21st century.

Persons: Niño, that’s, ”, Christopher Callahan, ” Christopher Callahan, El, Lesley, Ann Dupigny, Giroux, Yi Yu, Linh Pham, Winters, Yu, Callahan, Simeon Siegel, “, Chris Scheuring, “ It’s, Camilo Freedman Organizations: CNN, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Dartmouth, Southern, University of Vermont, University of California, Southwestern, Vietnam Electricity Group, Bloomberg, Getty, Deutsche Bank, BMO Capital Markets, Dupigny, US Federal Aviation Administration, California Farm Bureau, La Union, Prediction Locations: Niño, University of California Irvine, Asia, Australia, Southwestern United States, Tri An, Vinh Cuu, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, United States, rainier, El, Pasaquina, La, El Salvador

☆ 'Watermelon snow' phenomenon turns Utah's mountains pink and red
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Ashley R. Williams | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

It’s certainly pretty to look at, but what’s behind the natural phenomenon that’s nicknamed “watermelon snow”? The species of algae causing the colorful Utah snow is called Chlamydomonas nivalis. That bloom is a sign of the algae’s reproductive stage, during which there’s a secondary pigment that’s created which darkens the algae’s cells, according to Hotaling. This pigment acts as a blocker of ultraviolet rays that protect the algae’s cells from solar radiation. There are no human health concerns for water quality and for anyone who comes into contact with the watermelon snow, according to Hotaling.

Persons: Scott Hotaling, Hotaling, Brandon Miller, “, they’ve, ” Miller, it’s, ” Organizations: CNN, Utah Locations: Utah, Cache County , Utah, Hotaling, California , Utah, Nevada

☆ A historic youth climate trial is happening in Montana. Here’s what to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A landmark youth climate trial is playing out in Montana, as more than a dozen young plaintiffs aged 5 to 22 said they are already being hurt by climate change-fueled wildfires, drought, reduced snowpack and impacts to wildlife. It is the first youth climate case to make it to trial in the United States, even as several others are working their way through the court system. Still, the ruling could set an important legal precedent for upcoming youth climate cases in various stages. The Montana plaintiffs first filed their case three years ago, while the Juliana case was first filed in 2015. “I know that climate change is a global issue, but Montana needs to take responsibility for our part of that,” plaintiff Rikki Held, 22, testified.

Persons: ”, Michael Russell, Sariel Sandoval, Kathy Seeley’s, Seeley, Juliana, general’s, Rikki Held Organizations: CNN, United Locations: Montana, United States, Helena , Montana, ” Montana, Bitterroot, Upper Pend d’Oreille, Diné

Melting snow that continues to fill reservoirs with water will allow the state to fill 100 percent of water requests for the first time in nearly two decades. Even with the spring snow melt, much of the snowpack is expected to last into July or, in some cases, even into August or September, which will help keep Sierra Nevada forests moist and the fire danger lower. For those that don’t want to leave winter behind, several ski resorts are staying open well into the summer. If only for one year, abundant, clear and cold waters will come down from the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s a breath of fresh air after seemingly endless bad news about water, climate, and natural disasters in the West, one to celebrate.

Organizations: California Department of Water Resources, Southwest Locations: Sierra Nevada, West

☆ First Drought, Then Flood. Can the West Learn to Live Between Extremes?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Brooke Jarvis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Since New Year’s, storm after storm had pummeled the state, dropping epic quantities of water and snow. Houses and farms and dairies flooded, and people were using excavators to hastily build earthen dikes around their properties. In a valley where powerful interests had long jockeyed for access to water, the arguments were now about who would bear the flood. A froth of brown storm water started to spread toward the houses. Had someone intentionally cut the levee, jeopardizing Allensworth, not to mention someone else’s farm, to save his own?

Persons: Deanna Jackson, Gonzales, Ruben Guerrero, Floodwater, Jack Mitchell, Allensworth, ” Guerrero, ”, Kiara Rendon, Denise Kadara, Allen Allensworth, Kadara, Rendon Organizations: Cal Fire, Navy Locations: Year’s, Tulare, Allensworth, ”, California, farmworkers

☆ Communities near California's reformed Tulare Lake are unlikely to flood this year, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

California officials Monday said communities near Tulare Lake will likely not experience drastic flooding this year as weather conditions improve following a series of powerful atmospheric river storms that refilled the basin. Several weeks ago, scientists and officials had warned of worsening floods in the Central Valley due to a large amount of snowpack from the Sierra Nevada melting and sending more water into the basin. The forecasting prompted concerns over potential levee breaches and displacement of residents in communities such as Corcoran and Stratford. However, officials said they no longer expect those communities to flood due in part to state efforts to raise levees and farmers' work to divert more water for irrigation. Gavin Newsom said the state would spend $17 million to bolster the levees protecting Corcoran from floods.

☆ Opinion | There’s No Escape From Wildfire Smoke
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( David Wallace-Wells | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

This season so far, the total is already more than 1.5 million — which would make it the province’s third-worst annual result, just a few weeks into May, with months more of wildfire season still to burn. In the United States, by contrast, those who live in fear of wildfire are probably breathing a bit easier. Last year was a relatively light one, with fewer than eight million acres burning across the country — close to the two-decade average and well below the damage of several especially scarring recent seasons. But a new lesson from the evolving science of wildfire is about how far its toxic smoke spreads and how widely its noxious impacts are distributed. In fact, according to one not-yet-published study led by Stanford researchers exploring the distribution of wildfire smoke, an estimated 60 percent of the smoke impact of American wildfire is experienced by those living outside the states where the trees are in flames.

☆ Record-breaking heat scorches the western US and Canada as wildfires continue to rage
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Jennifer Gray | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Record-breaking temperatures and a heat wave will continue to grip the entire region through much of this week. It has prompted heat alerts for more than 10 million people across the Pacific Northwest and portions of Central California. As the heat continues to build this week, nearly 150 high temperature records will be in jeopardy across the West. Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for northern portions of Alberta and portions of British Columbia, where high temperatures are forecast to reach the mid 80s. Alberta Wildfire/Handout/ReutersThe heat is also having a huge effect on Canada’s active start to the fire season.

☆ New Mexico rivers rage, fields dry after slow federal fire aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Andrew Hay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Andrew HayACEQUIA DE LA SIERRA, New Mexico, May 2 (Reuters) - Rivers are roaring in northern New Mexico after a big snowpack. The problem is blocking water flowing from a 12,000-foot (3,660-meter) Sangre de Cristo mountain peak into the Mora Valley through earthen channels known as acequias. Sanchez, a mayordomo or water caretaker, had hoped to have Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to clear the ditches after the agency was given $3.95 billion to compensate communities for the 40-mile-long blaze. FEMA and other federal support has reached only a handful of the dozens of acequias that requested aid in November, said local irrigation leader Paula Garcia. "I don't think they're up to the job," said Roybal-Mack, a Mora Valley native.

☆ A year in Azerbaijan: From the Grand Prix to the ski slopes
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Words Cnn Staff | Photo Illustrations Woojin Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

CNN —Anyone who has tuned in to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has seen a tantalizing glimpse of what the capital Baku has to offer. This year’s Grand Prix comes at the height of spring, often said to be Azerbaijan’s most beautiful season. Juan Vilata/Alamy Stock Photo Explore Azerbaijan in spring Prev NextSummers in Azerbaijan are hot, so getting out of the city is a good idea. Alexander Melnikov/Alamy Stock Photo Explore Azerbaijan in fall Prev NextWrap up, because even at its coldest Azerbaijan still has plenty to offer. You’ll learn much more at the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum in Baku.

Search resuls for: "Snowpack"

25 mentions found