A drought that loomed over some of California's most fertile farmland officially ended Wednesday after a winter of relentless mountain storms that piled snow up to three stories high and could keep some ski resorts open until the Fourth of July.
More than 61 feet of snow has fallen in the Sierra Nevada high country so far this season, second only to 1950-51, when 65 feet fell, according to records kept by the California Department of Transportation. And more snow is possible in April, raising the prospect of an all-time record.
When it melts, the snow will bring relief to hundreds of communities and many farms that provide fruits and vegetables to the nation.
Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday repealed a statewide drought declaration made in 2008 by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who called for a state of emergency in February 2009 after three years of low water levels.
Brown acted after state officials reported the water content in the Sierra snowpack at 165 percent of normal for this time of year. That is one of the wettest winters since 1970, according to the state Department of Water Resources.
It trails only 1983, when the water content in the snowpack was 227 percent of normal, and 1995, which was 182 percent of the average for the end of March.
The wet winter means state and federal water agencies will be able to provide more water to urban and agricultural areas as the snowmelt fills reservoirs this summer.
Earth Changes
The number of flood victims in Terengganu rose to 1,013 people as of 8pm Tuesday night as the floods in several districts worsened.
They are currently housed in 14 evacuation centres, a spokesperson of the Terengganu National Security Council said.
The floods also forced the closure of over 23 schools, of which 12 were in Setiu involving 1,500 students, nine in Hulu Terengganu with 1,400 students and two in Besut with with 700 students.
They are currently housed in 14 evacuation centres, a spokesperson of the Terengganu National Security Council said.
The floods also forced the closure of over 23 schools, of which 12 were in Setiu involving 1,500 students, nine in Hulu Terengganu with 1,400 students and two in Besut with with 700 students.
Cringely
© USGS
Earthquake Location
Earthquake Location
Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 00:11:59 UTC
Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 12:11:59 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location:
16.566°S, 177.493°W
Depth:
23.7 km (14.7 miles)
Region:
FIJI REGION
Distances:
438 km (272 miles) WNW (301°) from Neiafu, Tonga
562 km (350 miles) NNW (335°) from NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga
2968 km (1844 miles) W (268°) from PAPEETE, Tahiti, French Polynesia
After two years of improved baggage handling, airlines slipped last year in getting passengers' checked luggage to arrive on time.
European airlines led the decline, while U.S. carriers actually saw a slight improvement.
Worldwide, 29.4 million bags last year didn't arrive on the same flight as their owners, according to SITA, an aviation communications and technology provider. That's 12.07 mishandled bags for every 1,000 passengers, a six per cent increase over 2009.
European airlines led the decline, while U.S. carriers actually saw a slight improvement.
Worldwide, 29.4 million bags last year didn't arrive on the same flight as their owners, according to SITA, an aviation communications and technology provider. That's 12.07 mishandled bags for every 1,000 passengers, a six per cent increase over 2009.
A winter storm watch has been issued for eastern New York, parts of northern New Jersey and most of New England, where much as 12 inches of snow may fall by week's end, according to the National Weather Service.
The system will be the second to move through the area this week, said Lauren Nash, a weather service meteorologist in Upton, New York. The first will arrive tonight and may bring light snow to areas north of New York City, she said.
The system will be the second to move through the area this week, said Lauren Nash, a weather service meteorologist in Upton, New York. The first will arrive tonight and may bring light snow to areas north of New York City, she said.
A powerful spring storm packing hail, heavy rain and strong winds caused extensive damage just south of New Orleans, Tuesday evening, authorities said.
Maj. John Marie with the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's department said the heaviest damage was reported between Harvey and Belle Chasse. The Belle Chasse Ferry recorded 100-mph winds around 7:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. ET), he said.
Maj. John Marie with the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's department said the heaviest damage was reported between Harvey and Belle Chasse. The Belle Chasse Ferry recorded 100-mph winds around 7:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. ET), he said.
© HVO/USGS
It's baaa-aack! Lava has returned to the Pu`u `Ō `ō crater on Mount Kilauea.
It's baaa-aack! Lava has returned to the Pu`u `Ō `ō crater on Mount Kilauea.
The new lava lake is inside the Pu'u 'Ō 'ō crater on the Hawaiian volcano. The fresh lava arrived almost 20 days after the crater floor collapsed on March 5 and almost 16 days after the Kamoamoa fissure eruption to the west on March 9. [In Images: Hawaii's Mount Kilauea Erupts.]
© NASA Goddard/MODIS Rapid Response Team
© unknown
Easy for him to say. When Rivest arrived earlier this week at the cabin near Soda Springs, about 90 miles northeast of Sacramento, the snow was so deep it nearly touched the power lines crossing in front of the cabin. Snow was piled at least 10 feet high on top of the deck of the A-frame home.
"My dad wants me to clear the deck," the ponytailed 21-year-old said Monday, as he labored to clear the driveway with a snow blower. "How do I even begin to do that? Where would I put the snow? This is absurd."
Absurdly deep is how Sierra residents and travelers might describe this season's snowfall, which is setting records at some ski resorts and nearing records at official gauging stations.
The last round of storms that blew across much of the 400-mile-long range during the weekend added several feet to what has become a snowpack of historic proportions, and one that promises an end to California's lingering drought.
After state water officials release the results of their latest snow survey Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to officially declare the drought over, said Evan Westrup, a spokesman for the governor's office. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a statewide drought in June 2008 and a state of emergency because of low water levels in February 2009.
