This year, the U.S. Geological Survey recorded the lowest May streamflow in 115 years for the Oostanaula River at the Resaca gauge.
Rivers across the state are experiencing moderate to se-vere hydrologic drought. In addition to the Oostanaula re-cord, this was the lowest May streamflow recorded in 110 years for the Oconee River at the Milledgeville gauge, and 98 years for the Flint River at the Albany gauge. Streamflow was the lowest recorded for 50 years for any month for the Su-wannee River at Fargo.
Earth Changes
Climate figures show more than three-quarters of the state is suffering from drought conditions, and several western counties are rated as extremely dry.
The U-S Drought Monitor says the seven westernmost counties -- Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain -- face the worst conditions. It also says all counties west of Interstate 26 face severe drought conditions.
The U-S Drought Monitor says the seven westernmost counties -- Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain -- face the worst conditions. It also says all counties west of Interstate 26 face severe drought conditions.
The U.S. Drought Monitor report has updated the drought survey for Alabama and two-thirds of the state is now under extreme drought. That represents about 60 percent of the state and is 4 percent more than last week.
The second-warmest May on record, coupled with above-average rainfalls in the Murray-Darling Basin, have led climatologists to speculate that a drought-breaking La Nina event is still on its way.
An almost complete lack of cold southerlies, rather than extreme heat, had led to May being warm by day and night across almost the whole country, according to the National Climate Centre's Blair Trewin.
An almost complete lack of cold southerlies, rather than extreme heat, had led to May being warm by day and night across almost the whole country, according to the National Climate Centre's Blair Trewin.
Tropical Storm Barbara may strengthen over the next two days to become the first hurricane of the eastern Pacific season as it moves toward southeastern Mexico, U.S. and Mexican forecasters said.
Idaho's commercial honeybee operations have so far avoided a mysterious phenomenon in which the insects suddenly abandon their colonies, which is good news for the state's apple and onion crops that rely on the bees for pollination.
A strong earthquake hit Russia's far-eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Thursday morning local time, with a magnitude of 6.4, the U.S. Geological Survey said on its Web site on Wednesday.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
A child raised on dungeons and dragons and underground empires might have been enchanted.
But Virgil Poe, a crusty 60-year-old retiree, wasn't all that amused when recent heavy rains opened a 16-foot hole in his yard.
"I'm picking up sticks from the storm," Poe said. "As I was walking, I saw it, and I thought what on earth is that?"
He crawled closer to the hole, peered inside and found what looked like an old well.
But Virgil Poe, a crusty 60-year-old retiree, wasn't all that amused when recent heavy rains opened a 16-foot hole in his yard.
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| ©AP/The Capital/JOSHUA MCKERROW |
| The cylindrical hole is lined with bricks, suggesting it might have been the water supply for an old farm. |
"I'm picking up sticks from the storm," Poe said. "As I was walking, I saw it, and I thought what on earth is that?"
He crawled closer to the hole, peered inside and found what looked like an old well.
Because spring temperatures roller-coastered from freezing to summerlike heat, there were fewer tornadoes than usual in Illinois this year.
A year ago, Illinois logged about 90 funnel clouds heading into June on the way to a record 124. The state averages about 40 tornadoes annually.
A year ago, Illinois logged about 90 funnel clouds heading into June on the way to a record 124. The state averages about 40 tornadoes annually.
A wild Golden Eagle chick has hatched in Co Donegal, for the first time in almost 100 years.
The nest actually hatched two chicks, but as normally happens, the second chick died after five days. According to the Golden Eagle Trust, there will be a further wait of seven to eight weeks to see if the remaining chick can continue to grow and hopefully fledge in late July.
The nest actually hatched two chicks, but as normally happens, the second chick died after five days. According to the Golden Eagle Trust, there will be a further wait of seven to eight weeks to see if the remaining chick can continue to grow and hopefully fledge in late July.
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| ©Unk |
| Golden Eagle chick |
