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Caution
Technical information and scientific data from the US Government agencies (NASA, EPA…) are subject to variation due to political expediency.
This caution also extends to the UN organizations (e.g., FAO, WHO…).
As of August 2011, FIRE-EARTH will no longer reprint photos from NASA, due to the agency's wanton crimes against nature.
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,324 Days Left
[July 31, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,324 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
India. One of the world’s worst blackouts left nearly seven hundred million people in India (pop: ~1.2 billion) without electricity on Tuesday as grids collapsed for the second time in two days.
The blackouts extended more than 3,000km, from India’s western border with Pakistan to its eastern border with Burma.
Corn rated as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ falls to 24 percent
The amount of corn considered to be in very poor to poor condition increased to 48 percent, a rise of 3 percent since last week, while the crop rated as as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ fell to 24 percent, due to ongoing drought and lingering heat wave, according to the USDA Crop Progress.
The amount of corn regarded as being in good or excellent condition fell to 24 percent for the week ending July 29, a further drop of 2 percent since previous week. It was 62 percent last year.
The USDA statistics are based on 18 States which planted 92% of the 2011 corn acreage: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.
Soybean Condition
The amount of soybeans considered to be in very poor to poor condition was 37 percent, an increase of 2 percent since last week.
The amount of soybean regarded as being in good or excellent condition fell to 29 percent, a drop of 2 percent since last week. It was 60 percent this time last year.
The statistics are based on 18 States that planted 95% of the 2011 soybean acreage: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina,
North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Pasture and Range Condition
Pasture and Range Condition for the lower 48 States which are weighted based on pasture acreage and/or livestock inventories, further deteriorated by 2 percent.
Very poor to poor pasture and range areas rose to 57 percent, from 55 percent last week. It was 36 percent this time last year.
Total acreage in ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ condition fell to 17 percent. It was 41 percent last year.
[Source: Crop Progress (July 2012) USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Report released July 30, 2012.]
About 89 percent of the U.S. corn crops were located in drought areas as of July 24, 2012, USDA reported.
Approximate percentage of corn located in drought areas. USDA
The U.S. Cattle Map
About 73% of the U.S. domestic cattle inventory is within drought stricken areas, as of July 24, 2012, USDA reported.
This graphic depicts the U.S. cattle areas experiencing drought from data accrued through the U. S. Drought Monitor on July 24, 2012. Approximately 73% of the domestic cattle inventory is within a drought stricken area, based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2007 Census of Agriculture data. Source: USDA
Deadly heat is forecast to continue broiling the Central and Southern Plains through the week ‘with not much relief during the night time hours,’ as National Weather Service issues Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories across the region. Temperatures as high as 110+ degrees are expected this week.
Current High Temperature Map. Temperatures as high as 110+ degrees are forecast for this week.
U.S. Weekly Precipitation Map
U.S. Weekly Precipitation Map, July 22 -28, 2012. Much of the Continental U.S. received little or no rain during the week ending July 28, 2012.
U.S. Hazards Outlook – July 30 to August 10, 2012
US Hazards Outlook for July 30 – August 3, 2012. Source:NOAA/ NWS/NCEP/ CPC
US Hazards Outlook forAugust 4 – 10, 2012. Source: NOAA/ NWS/NCEP/ CPC
Current U.S. Drought Map
Current Map of U.S. Drought 2012. Source: U.S. Drought Portal – NIDIS.
U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set on July 29, 2012
Temp Records: 12 (Broken) + 8 (Tied) = 20 Total. Source: National Climatic Data Center
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,326 Days Left
This image was found to be hacked. Reinstated on February 26, 2013.
[July 29, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,326 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
Deadhorse and Elfin Cove, AK, break or tie 3 daily high max temp records
Daily maximum temperature soared to 74.0ºF in Deadhorse, North Slope Borough County, AK, breaking a previous record of 73.0ºF set in July 1994.
Deadhorse also tied daily high maximum temperature record of 78.0ºF set on July 23, 2007.
On July 21, Elfin Cove, Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon County, set a new Daily High Max Temperature record of 67.0ºF. The old record of 65.0ºF was set 36 years ago.
Alaska Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set in July 2012. Source: NCDC
U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set in July 2012
As of July 28, the following number of records were broken or tied for the month:
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,327 Days Left
[July 28, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,327 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
Ethiopia. Renewed ethnic clashes in Moyale area, Ethiopia have left at least 2 dozen people dead and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. At least 20,000 people have crossed into Kenya to escape the slaughter, the Kenyan Red Cross said.
N. Korea. Rainstorms and flooding in North Korea has left more than 200 people dead or injured, and more than 60,000 people homeless according to reports quoting state-run KCNA news agency.
Uganda. Ebola virus has killed more than a dozen people and infected about a dozen others in Uganda, reports said.
Severe storms and straight-line winds caused extensive damage across Virginia
The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Virginia following losses and damage caused by severe storms and straight-line winds during the period of June 29 to July 1, 2012.
The worst affected areas are the counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Arlington, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Buckingham, Campbell, Carroll, Charlotte, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Frederick, Giles, Greene, Halifax, Highland, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Nelson, New Kent, Nottoway, Orange, Page, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Tazewell, and Warren and the independent cities of Bedford, Charlottesville, Covington, Danville, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Manassas Park, Martinsville, Radford, Roanoke, Salem, Staunton, and Winchester.
West Virginia Disaster Declaration
On July 23, the Disaster President declared a major disaster exists in the State of West Virginia in the area affected by severe storms and straight-line winds during the period of June 29 to July 1, 2012.
The areas worst affected by severe storms and straight-line winds are the counties of Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marshall, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Summers, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood, and Wyoming.
SPC Storm Reports for the Disaster Period.
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
USA. About 89 percent of the U.S. corn crops were located in drought areas as of July 24, 2012, USDA reported.
Approximate percentage of corn located in drought areas. USDA
USA. About 73% of the U.S. domestic cattle inventory is within drought stricken areas, as of July 24, 2012, USDA reported.
The U.S. Cattle Map
This graphic depicts the U.S. cattle areas experiencing drought from data accrued through the U. S. Drought Monitor on July 24, 2012. Approximately 73% of the domestic cattle inventory is within a drought stricken area, based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2007 Census of Agriculture data. Source: USDA
USA. Millions of fish are dead or dying in lakes and river across the country due to the extreme conditions caused by drought and soaring heat.
Kansas. “Governor Sam Brownback objected to federal officials releasing water from three Kansas reservoirs to keep the Missouri River navigable and protect endangered birds. A spokesperson said Brownback preferred to keep the reservoirs as high as possible to conserve water for farmers and communities drawing from them.” Reuters reported.
“This afternoon’s severe thunderstorms, including strong winds, possible tornadoes, and large hail, caused serious damage in Chemung County and the surrounding areas,” said Governor Cuomo, declaring a state of emergency.
SPC filtered Storm Reports for July 26, 2012
The storms uprooted or shredded thousands of trees, tore roofs off many homes and businesses, caused damage to public and private property, and left many people trapped in their cars, according to reports.
About 1,000 flights were canceled around the U.S. Thursday due to the storms.
Most of the damage occurred in New York and Pennsylvania.
About half a million customers lost electricity.
New York and Pennsylvania reported two storm-related deaths, as of posting.
winds in excess of 70mph (113-kph) were reported in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,329 Days Left
[July 26, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,329 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
FIRE-EARTH Climate Models show climate change forcings and feedbacks switching global weather patterns onto “primordial tracks.”
The extreme weather events triggered by anthropogenic climate change have a four-prong impact on humans over the next 50 months. FIRE-EARTH models forecast:
1. Food production:
Average decline of 22% in the global agricultural output
Loss of topsoil and worsening of soil quality
Rapid Climate Change & Extreme Weather Events
Drought and Deluge
Extremes of Temperature
Heatwaves and Late Frosts
Desertification and Dust Storms
Crop Pests
Increases in the size and occurrence of dead zones
Large decline in marine food sources
2. Spread of Disease
Substantial increases in the spread of diseases
Vector borne
Air borne
Water borne
Food borne
Superbugs: Emergence of resistant bacteria, especially MDR bacteria
Resurgence of killer infectious diseases
Increases in the spread of human immunodeficiency viruses
Significant decline in air quality (and corresponding increase in chronic respiratory diseases)
Other viral diseases
Massive rises in mental illnesses
3. Physical Safety
Major increases in the number of deaths and injuries, as well as large scale displacements due to the loss of shelter and livelihood caused by extreme weather and geophysical events including:
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Storms and Extreme Weather
Climate Change
Extreme Rain Events
Flash Flooding
Drought and Deluge
Landslides
Extremes of Temperature
Deforestation
Wildfires
Loss of “Seasons”
Earthquakes*
Tsunamis*
Volcanic activity*
Nuclear Incidents
Oil Spills
Chemical and Biological Threats
Poisoned and Polluted Environment (Air, Water and Soil pollution)
Ozone Depletion (Ozone Holes)
4. The Combined Effect
Social upheavals, regional conflicts and wars caused by mass migrations and scarcity of basic resources resulting from the combined effects of the above, as well as other mechanisms.
Nearly half of U.S. in ‘Severe’ to ‘Exceptional’ drought
‘Severe’ to ‘Exceptional’ drought conditions (D2 – D4) have increased to 45.57 percent in the lower 48 states, a rise of more than 3 percent since last week.
About two-thirds (63.86%) of the United States remains in moderate drought or worse.
During the 2012 crop year, USDA has designated 1,369 counties across 31 states as disaster areas—1,234 due to drought. The drought disaster declaration list also includes numerous other counties designated as contiguous disaster areas. [NOTE: There are 3,143 counties and county-equivalents in the U.S.]
Nearly a third of the Midwest is in extreme drought, about three time as much as previous week.
Central U.S. is the worst hit region with continued widespread intensification of drought.
‘Extreme’ and ‘Exceptional’ drought levels (D3 – D4) prevail in 20.57 percent of the Contiguous 48, compared with 13.53 percent a week earlier.
The areas experiencing ‘Exceptional’ drought level (d4) has more than doubled to 2.38 percent of the lower 48 since July 17 report.
Hawaii and Alaska have not reported any change in the drought conditions.
Drought Map for Continental U.S., July 24, 2012. (Released July 26, 2012)
“We’ve seen tremendous intensification of drought through Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, Kansas and Nebraska, and into part of Wyoming and South Dakota in the last week,” said Brian Fuchs, a climatologist and U.S. Drought Monitor author. “The amount of D3 developing in the country has increased quite a bit for each of the last several weeks.”
The current U.S. Drought Monitor shows that every state in the country had at least a small area shown as abnormally dry or worse. “It’s such a broad footprint,” Fuchs said.
“This drought is two-pronged,” he said. “Not only the dryness but the heat is playing a big and important role. Even areas that have picked up rain are still suffering because of the heat.”
Drought Comparison Maps for Continental U.S., July 17 – 24, 2012. (Released July 26, 2012)
Comparison Maps for July 10 and July 17, 2012.
U.S. Drought Comparison Maps for July 3 and July 10, 2012.
U.S. Drought Comparison Maps for June 26 and July 3, 2012
Dryness and drought, exacerbated by above-normal temperatures, have been increasing both in extent and intensity across much of the central and northern U.S. Source: NOAA/ NWS/ NCEP/ Climate Prediction Center
Two-thirds of the United States is now experiencing moderate to extreme drought
USDA has designated 76 additional counties [2012 total of 1,369 counties] in six states [total of 31 states] as primary natural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by drought and excessive heat.
During the 2012 crop year, USDA has designated 1,369 counties across 31 states as disaster areas—1,234 due to drought. The drought disaster declaration list also includes numerous other counties designated as contiguous disaster areas.
Most of the drought-stricken areas from Kansas to Ohio need in excess of 10 inches of rain to break the drought, said a National Weather Service meteorologist, however, little precipitation is on the horizon.
“Monday’s crop ratings showed losses on par with the damage seen during the 1988 drought if these conditions persist,” said Bryce Knorr, senior editor for Farm Futures Magazine. “Weather so far has taken almost 4 billion bushels off the corn crop, so a lot of demand must still be rationed.”
List of the most recent counties declared as drought disaster areas by USDA on July 25:
Kansas. USDA has declared 47 counties in Kansas as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
List of the 25 primary disaster areas: Chase, Franklin, Lincoln, Osage, Dickinson, Geary, Marion, Osborne, Douglas, Jefferson, Miami, Ottawa, Ellis, Johnson, Mitchell, Rush, Ellsworth, Leavenworth, Morris, Russell, Saline, Shawnee, Smith, Wabaunsee and Wyandotte counties.
List of the 22 contiguous disaster areas: Anderson, Cloud, Jewell, Ness, Atchison, Coffey, Linn, Pawnee, Barton, Greenwood, Lyon, Phillips, Butler, Harvey, McPherson, Pottawatomie, Clay, Jackson, Rice, Riley, Rooks and Trego counties.
Missouri. The above Disaster declaration covers 5 counties in Missouri because they are contiguous: Bates, Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties.
Nebraska. Franklin and Webster counties.
Michigan. Drought disaster declared in 10 Michigan counties:
Primary DAs: Branch, Cass, Hillsdale and St. Joseph counties.
Contiguous DAs: Berrien, Calhoun, Jackson, Kalamazoo Lenawee, and Van Buren counties.
Indiana. Contiguous DAs: Elkhart, Lagrange, St. Joseph and Steuben counties.
Ohio. Fulton and Williams counties.
Nebraska. USDA has declared 22 Nebraska counties as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
Indiana. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 38 counties in Indiana as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
Illinois. The above declaration also extends to three counties in Illinois: Clark, Edgar and Vermilion counties.
Illinois. USDA has designated twelve counties in Illinois as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
PDAs: Crawford and Pike counties.
CDAs: Adams, Calhoun, Greene, Lawrence, Richland,
Brown, Clark, Jasper, Morgan and Scott counties.
Wisconsin. USDA has designated 31 counties in Wisconsin as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
Illinois. The above declaration extends to 6 contiguous areas in Illinois: Boone, Lake, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, McHenry and Winnebago counties.
Iowa. The above declaration also extends to 3 contiguous areas in Iowa: Allamakee, Clayton and Dubuque counties.
Weekly U.S. Precipitation Map for the Week Ending July 24, 2012. Source: HPRCC
Corn in Drought Map. Latest available map of drought superimposed on the corn production areas. This map depicts drought-affected areas of the U.S. corn producing farmland as of July 17, 2012. Approximately 88% of the corn grown in the U.S. is within an area-experiencing drought, based on historical U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop production data.
Other USDA Disaster Declarations
Colorado. USDA has designated 8 counties in Colorado as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by freezing temperatures that occurred April 7-8, 2012.
Utah. The above declaration also extends to two counties in Utah: Grand and San Juan counties.
Wisconsin. USDA has designated 34 counties in Wisconsin as agricultural disaster areas due to losses to maple syrup production caused by an unseasonably early thaw, unseasonably warm nights and excessive heat that occurred Jan. 23 – March 31, 2012.
Michigan. The above declaration extends to 4 counties in the state of Michigan.
Minnesota. The above declaration also extends to 4 counties in the state of Minnesota.
Red Flag Warnings, Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are in effect from Kansas and Nebraska to Indiana
Another round of triple digit temperatures affect the central Plains, as National Weather Service warns about the extreme conditions.
Temperatures are forecast to be 10-15 degrees above average in the central Plains and the Mid-Atlantic, as three wildfires consume at least 120,000 acres in Nebraska, destroying a dozen homes.
U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set on July 24, 2012
Source: National Climatic Data Center
Excess Heat Warnings are in effect for all or parts of 7 states Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.
Heat Advisories are in effect for 14 states: South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Red Flag Warnings are in effect for parts of Montana, Nebraska and Kansas.
At least 24 high temperature records were broken and 34 tied in a dozen states Monday: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin, NCDC reported.
“The highest temperature readings of the day were reported at 109 degrees in Minneapolis, Kan., and Hebronville, Texas, tying previous records set in 2001 and 2009, respectively,” said NWS.
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Greenland. Greenland’s massive ice sheet has thawed over an unusually large area, NASA has said.
The thawed area jumped from 40% of the ice sheet to 97% between July 8 -11.
NASA scientists say they are ‘surprised‘ by the speed and scale of this month’s thaw, describing the phenomenon as ‘extraordinary.’
Missouri. Gov. Nixon has declared a state of emergency due to the impact of continued severe heat and drought on agriculture and public health.
“Our farmers are suffering tremendous losses in crops and livestock, and we’re seeing more heat-related deaths and emergency room visits, particularly among seniors.” Nixon said. “In addition, we continue to see a high risk of fire from tinderbox conditions, and we are monitoring how the drought is affecting public water supplies and distribution.”
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has reported 25 heat-related deaths between May 1 and July 22, with about 830 heat-related emergency visits to hospitals, reports said.
Assam, India. “The death toll from ethnic violence in northeast India rose to 38 Wednesday after four days of clashes. At least 170,000 villagers have fled from their homes in the remote state of Assam,” said a report.
China. “Tens of thousands of people have been summoned to stand guard protecting dikes in Jingzhou city (Pop: ~ 6.45 million), which lies downstream of the Three Gorges Dam in Hubei province. Authorities declared more than 620 kms of river banks as risky along the Yangtze and its tributaries in the city.” Said a report.
Original Caption: Armed police patrol at the Three Gorges Dam, a gigantic hydropower project on the Yangtze River, in Yichang City, central China’s Hubei Province, July 24, 2012. Due to the downpours in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, China’s longest, the Three Gorges Dam experienced its largest flood peak this year on Tuesday, with a peak flow of 70,000 cubic meters of water per second. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,331 Days Left
[July 24, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,331 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
In the worst case scenario, the first wave of world’s cities will begin to collapse by as early as 2012. “The collapse would be caused by a combination of failing ecosystems, human-enhanced environmental catastrophes; failing infrastructure; food, water and fuel shortages; infectious disease; war, civil conflict and other dynamics. Following the first phase of collapse, massive waves of human migration from the affected areas create a domino effect that causes the collapse of the remaining population centers shortly after.” EDRO Forecast dated September 21, 2007
Corn in v. poor or poor condition increases to 45 percent: USDA
The amount of corn considered to be in very poor to poor condition has increased by 7 percent since last week due to ongoing drought and lingering heat wave, according to the USDA Crop Progress report.
The amount of corn regarded as being in good or excellent condition was 26 percent for the week ending July 22, a drop of 5 percent since previous week. It was 62 percent last year.
The USDA statistics are based on 18 States which planted 92% of the 2011 corn acreage: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.
U.S. Corn Condition by State Map as of July 22, 2012. Source: USDA/AWA
Soybean Condition
The amount of soybeans considered to be in very poor to poor condition was 35 percent, an increase of 5 percent since last week.
The amount of soybean regarded as being in good or excellent condition was 31 percent, a drop of 3 percent since last week. It was 62 percent last year.
The statistics are based on 18 States that planted 95% of the 2011 soybean acreage: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina,
North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Pasture and Range Condition
Pasture and Range Condition for the lower 48 States which are weighted based on pasture acreage and/or livestock inventories, further deteriorated by 1 percent.
V. poor to poor category rose to 55 percent. It was 33 percent last year.
[Source: Crop Progress (July 2012) USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Report released July 23, 2012.]
Drought and Deluge Double Whammy
The historic drought could finally end in an epic deluge, in which case what is already extreme stress on the topsoil would be incalculable.
Corn in Drought Map. Latest available map of drought superimposed on the corn production areas. This map depicts drought-affected areas of the U.S. corn producing farmland as of July 17, 2012. Approximately 88% of the corn grown in the U.S. is within an area-experiencing drought, based on historical U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop production data.
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
China. Typhoon VICENTE has grown into a monstrous category 4A stormwith sustained winds of more than 215kmph. The storm has landed in southern China.
The Hong Kong Observatory has raised its storm warning signal to the highest level 10, while local media reported at least 70 people injured, as of posting.
Typhoon VICENTE – NHC Enhanced IR Sat Image. Source: CIMSS
China. Extreme Rain Events have buffeted 17 provinces in China since July 20, leaving hundreds dead or missing.
Rainstorm related disasters have affected up to 10 million people in thousands of towns and villages across 264 counties in 17 provinces, forcing about a million residents to flee their homes.
Rainstorms also destroyed or damaged about 100,000 homes.
“In Sichuan province, water levels in several rivers have exceeded the warning levels and the Luzhou section in the upper reach of the Yangtze River has witnessed the biggest flooding since 1949, according to the provincial flood control headquarters,” said a report.
Dozens of cities and villages are submerged under about 2m of water.
The influx of floodwater into the Three Gorges Reservoir, upstream of the gigantic Three Gorges hydropower project in Yichang, Hubei province, is expected to reach 70,000 cubic meters per second, the report said.
Original Caption: The pivot of Three Gorges releases flood water in seven spillways in Yichang, central China’s Hubei Province, July 23, 2012. The Three Gorges Dam will experience its largest flood peak this year on Tuesday, the Yangtze River flood control and drought relief headquarters said Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Jiayu)
Currently punching sustained winds of about 150kmph, Typhoon VICENTE is forecast to land between the cities of Taishan (Guangdong province) and Wenchang (Hainan province) late Monday/ early Tuesday, the provincial meteorological station of Hainan reported.
Having strengthened to a tropical storm on Sunday, VICENTE developed into a typhoon Monday morning local time, bringing powerful winds and torrential rains to coastal regions in south China.
Typhoon VICENTE – Visible IR satellite image. Source: CIMSS
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN:1,333 Days Left
[July 22, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,333 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
Torrential rain and mega flooding left at least 37 people dead in the Chinese capital, forcing thousands to flee their homes.
The average precipitation throughout Beijing area was reported at at 170 mm during a 24 hour period spanning Saturday – Sunday, while the urban area received 225 mm in 16 hours, and a township in the suburban district of Fangshan recorded 460 mm, official reports said.
“Among the victims, 25 were drowned, six were killed in house collapses, one by lightening strike and five were electrocuted, according to the Information Office of the municipal government,” said a report.
The rainstorms has affected at least 2 million people across the capital, causing substantial damage to private property and public infrastructure, destroying roads and bridges.
At least 100,000 people have been relocated.
Rescuers prepare to search submerged cars near Guangqumen Bridge in Beijing, July 21, 2012. (Xinhua/Li Fangyu). More images…
U.S. Weekly Precipitation Map generated July 22, 2012. About 70 percent of Continental United States received less than one inch of rain in the week ending July 21, 2012.
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,334 Days Left
[July 21, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,334 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN:1,335 Days Left
[July 20, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,335 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
Corn and soybean prices break all-time records. Corn prices have climbed 53 percent in one month, as worst drought and poorest crop conditions in decades decimate yields in the Corn Belt region and beyond.
U.S. Drought Map for July 17, 2012, released July 19.
List of Disaster Areas Continues Growing
On Wednesday, USDA designated an additional 39 counties in 8 states as Primary Natural Disaster areas due to worsening drought, making up a disaster total of 1,297 counties in 29 states. Additionally, several hundred other counties have been declared as contiguous disaster areas.
One Way Drought
Drought is intensifying in the Corn Belt region and creeping to the areas beyond including Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and eastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, southern Minnesota and parts of Missouri, Kentucky and the Dakotas.
Drought and Deluge Double Whammy
The historic drought could finally end in an epic deluge, in which case what is already extreme stress on the topsoil would be incalculable.
NASS Crop Production Data. Map of drought superimposed on the corn production areas, July 10, 2012.
Drought Stats
Nearly two-thirds of Continental U.S. is currently in drought condition
More than 42 percent of the lower 48 states were in SEVERE, EXTREME or EXCEPTIONAL Drought Conditions (D2-D4) as of July 17, 2012, a rise of over 5 percent since last week.
As of July 17, 2012, the entire Continental U.S. with the exception of Maine was experiencing Abnormally Dry or Drought Conditions (D0 -D4) in full or in parts of the states, a situation which has since worsened due to scant precipitation and a persistent heat wave in the past few days.
More than 81 percent of the Contiguous United States was Abnormally Dry or in Drought Conditions (D0 – D4).
Drought 2012 is considered as the worst drought since 1956 and worst agricultural drought since 1988.
About 40% of the U.S. corn crop is in poor-very poor condition.
Good-excellent soybean crop dropped to 34% – down from 56% at start of season.
Some 1,297 counties in 29 states have been declared as primary natural disaster areas, with several hundred other counties designated as contiguous disaster areas.
Less than 10 percent topsoil moisture is left in South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
Topsoil moisture in the entire Central Region is below 50 percent of normal.
Drought is expected to persist or intensify across Central Region.
About 98 percent of corn is grown within Central Region.
About 80 percent of corn grown in the U.S. is experiencing drought.
Deadly Heat Persists
Meantime, preliminary records from NCDC showed 145 high temperature records broken Wednesday and 67 records tied in 23 states: Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
High temperatures in the triple digits will be the norm for the next several days for parts of the central U.S., with heat indices reaching into the 110 degree range. Some NWS Forecast Offices have already extended their heat advisories to last through the middle of next week. Source: NWS
Nearly two-thirds of Continental U.S. in drought condition
More than 42 percent of the lower 48 states were in SEVERE, EXTREME or EXCEPTIONAL Drought Conditions (D2-D4) as of July 17, 2012, a rise of over 5 percent since last week.
As of July 17, 2012, all of the Continental U.S. with the exception of Maine is experiencing Abnormally Dry or Drought Conditions (D0 -D4) in full or in parts of the states, a situation which has since worsened due to lack of precipitation and a heat wave in the past two days.
More than 81 percent of the Contiguous United States was Abnormally Dry or in Drought Conditions (D0 – D4).
U.S. Drought Map for July 17, 2012, released July 19.
Comparison Maps for July 10 and July 17, 2012.
U.S. Drought Comparison Maps for July 3 and July 10, 2012.
U.S. Drought Comparison Maps for June 26 and July 3, 2012
Dryness and drought, exacerbated by above-normal temperatures, have been increasing both in extent and intensity across much of the central and northern U.S.Source: NOAA/ NWS/ NCEP/ Climate Prediction Center
‘If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance …’ —Vilsack
U.S. drought intensifies as deadly heat plagues regions from Dakotas to Ohio Valley
‘Dangerous and deadly heat has entrenched itself in the central Plains and Midwest with no prospects of relief in the near future,’ said NOAA forecasters.
U.S. Weather Hazards Map, July 19, 2012. Source: NWS
Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for parts of 10 states and into the weekend for parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Heat Advisories have been issued for parts of 19 states: South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island, NWS reported.
U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records (July 17, 2012)
Highest Max Temp Reported
BURLINGTON 2S, DES MOINES, IA. New record: 107.0°F set on 2012-07-17; old record at 98.0°F dated 2006-07-17
Drought 2012
“If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, I would do it.”
USDA has now declared as primary disaster areas a total of about 1,300 counties [many other counties are designated as contiguous disaster areas ] across 29 states, as grain prices shoot through the roof due to deadly heat and unrelenting drought.
“I get on my knees everyday and I’m saying an extra prayer right now,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters after briefing with the Disaster President Obama. “If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, I would do it.”
Among nature’s extreme dislikes is the fact that more than 40 percent of the U.S. corn is used to produce ethanol.
Weekly drought statistics to be released by U.S. Drought Monitor later today could show more than two-thirds of Continental U.S. in drought condition.
By early July 2012, more than 60% of the contiguous United States was experiencing drought conditions, nearly double the area from early January. This NOAA animation shows monthly composites of D1 to D4 categories of drought in the contiguous U.S. over the time frame January 2012 to July 2012 using data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor summary map identifies general drought areas, labeling droughts by intensity, with D1 (lightest color) being the least intense and D4 (darkest color) being the most intense.
State of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin
Governor Walker has declared a state of emergency in all 72 Wisconsin counties due to drought and abnormally dry conditions extending across most of the state.
“Wisconsin families, businesses and farmers are hurting as a result of this drought,” said Gov. Walker. “The increase in wildfires due to the combined lack of rain and high temperatures is adding to the risk of major economic losses, especially in agriculture. This is a time of crisis for many people, and we will utilize whatever resources are necessary to help.”
On July 10, Walker declared a state of emergency in 42 southern and central counties.
Latest Disaster Declarations by USDA
USDA has issued Disaster Declarations due to damage and losses caused by drought and excessive heat that began in April 1, 2012, and continues in
Missouri: A total of 105 counties declared as agricultural disaster areas.
Arkansas: 5 counties
Illinois: 9 counties
Iowa: 10 counties
Kansas: 10 counties
Nebraska: 3 counties
Oklahoma: 2 counties
USDA designated ten Counties in Wyoming as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
All other Wyoming counties that would be eligible under 7 CFR 759.5 (a), already have been designated as primary natural disaster counties.
USDA designated 16 Counties in Utah as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
Arizona. The designation also extends to 2 contiguous counties in Arizona.
USDA Designates 5 Counties in Tennessee agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
Arkansas. The designation also extends to 2 contiguous counties in Arkansas.
Mississippi. Extends also to 2 counties in Mississippi.
USDA has designated 32 counties in Arkansas as agricultural natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
Mississippi. No. of counties are contiguous disaster areas: 4
USDA has designated 7 counties in New Mexico as agricultural natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
Arizona. Counties declared as contiguous disaster areas: 1
Latest Available Maps of Agricultural Disaster Areas in the U.S.
Map of U.S. counties declared as agricultural disaster areas under ‘Streamlined Disaster Designation Process,’ as of July 12, 2012
PRIMARY & CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES designated for 2012 crop disaster losses – As of 07/10/2012 – through Designation No. S3260 (Approved 07/03/2012)
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). A massive wildfire has consumed/affected about 2,000 hectares on the volcanic island of Tenerife forcing the authorities to evacuate 1,800 inhabitants of the small town of Vilaflor, as well as the residents of another village nearby, reports said.
Another large fire burned more than 500 hectares on the neighboring island of La Palma before it was brought under control on Tuesday, officials said.
Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Global CO2 emissions rose 3 percent to 34 billion tons, said a new EU report today.
China emits 29 percent of global total (9.7 billion tons), while the U.S. is responsible for 16 percent (5.42 billion tons), the EU11 percent, India 6 percent, Russia 5 percent and Japan 4 percent, according to the report.
Australia has the world’s largest per capita emissions at 19 tons, followed by the U.S. at 17.3 tons and Saudi Arabia at 16.5 tons per year.
The report was released by EC’s Joint Research Center (JRC) and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,337 Days Left
[July 18, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,337 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
Dangerous heat warnings issued for 17 states from eastern Iowa to southern New England
Record-setting triple digit temperatures return to America’s Heartland, forcing National Weather Service (NWS) to issue another round of Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings across 17 states, with NO precipitation predicted for the central and southern Plains, the southern Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley.
U.S. Weather Hazards Map. Source: NWS
Daytime high temperatures reached record levels at 8 locations, Tuesday, and tied records at 6 other sites, NWS reported. (The reporting locations were in Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Wisconsin).
Excessive Heat Warnings were issued for southeastern Michigan, northwest Ohio, and areas along the Pennsylvania-New Jersey state line.
Heat Advisories were in effect for parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey, NWS said.
New York issued an Air Quality Alert for about 2 dozen counties in central, southern and eastern parts of the state.
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
USA. USDA has designated an additional 39 counties in 8 states as Primary Natural Disaster areas due to worsening drought, making up a total of 1,297 counties in 29 states. Additionally, several hundred other counties have been declared as contiguous disaster areas.
Missouri, USA. All 114 counties in the state of Missouri have been declared disaster areas due to the drought, Governor Jay Nixon said in a statement.
Oregon, USA. A state of emergency has been declared in Oregon following the damage caused by wildfires that have burned about 800.000 acres (1,250 square miles) in SE Oregon, reports said.
U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records (July 2012)
TNO moved to the east!!? U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set in July 2012. Source: NCDC.
U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set on July 17, 2012:
Broken: 43 records (11 of the new records set were 3-digit temperatures)
Tied: 16
Total: 59
U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records Set Between July 1 – 17, 2012
Broken: 2,245 records
Tied: 803
Total: 3,048
Highest temperature records for July 16 – 17
WESSINGTON SPRINGS JERAULD, SD. New record: 105.0°F set on 2012-07-17; previous record 104.0°F set on 2006-07-17
SPRINGVIEW KEYA PAHA, NE. New record: 107.0°F set on 2012-07-16; old record 106.0°F dated 2006-07-16
Global Temperatures
For the second consecutive month, the global land temperature was highest on record in June, NCDC reported.
June global land temperature was 1.93°F (1.07°C) above the 20th century average of 55.9°F (13.3°C). [ Error margin of is ±0.23°F (0.13°C).]
Global land and ocean surfaces average temperature for June was fourth highest on record for June, at 61.03°F (16.13°C) or 1.13°F (0.63°C) above the 20th century average. [Error margin: ±0.13°F (0.07°C).]
Wildfire
Patras, Greece. The authorities have declared a state of emergency in Patras, Greece’s third largest city, after a wildfire threatened homes in nearby villages, prompting the evacuation of three communities and Patras University campus.
Fire Earth 