Extreme Weather

Extreme events are occurrences of unusually severe weather or climate conditions that can cause devastating impacts on communities and agricultural and natural ecosystems. Weather-related extreme events are often short-lived and include heat waves, freezes, heavy downpours, tornadoes, tropical cyclones and floods. Climate-related extreme events either persist longer than weather events or emerge from the accumulation of weather or climate events that persist over a longer period of time. Examples include drought resulting from long periods of below-normal precipitation or wildfire outbreaks when a prolonged dry, warm period follows an abnormally wet and productive growing season.

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Low stream level in southeast Alaska during a drought

What does drought look like in Alaska? In February and March 2021, a webinar series was hosted to review past climate information focusing on unusually dry times, and learn about the US Drought Monitor process and how the weekly maps are made. Then, we heard from…

Alaska 2021 Drought Webinar Series

Dry reservoir during drought

As California manages a worsening drought, we have complied a number of resources that may be of use for drought monitoring, response, and recovery.  Current Drought Conditions See more on current California drought conditions Drought Monitoring Drought monitoring data and…

California Drought Resources

Lindsey Rustad, USDA Forest Service research ecologist, at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest

There is growing concern that the frequency and severity of extreme weather events are increasing under the changing climate. Scientists continue to study the impacts these extreme weather events can have on natural and managed ecosystems. Progress has been made in…

Going to Extremes at HBEF

Rangeland ecosystems are diverse

Changes in the timing and availability of water resources across the Northwest are affecting rangelands. Warming winter temperatures are reducing mountain snowpack and resulting in earlier snowmelt and less available water in the summer months. Reduced water availability,…

Building Water Resilience in the Northwest Through Rangeland Management

Soil conglomerates up close

Changes in the timing and availability of water resources pose significant challenges to irrigated and dryland agriculture across the Northwest. Warmer winters are shrinking mountain snowpack and melting snow is entering streams and rivers before water is needed for irrigating…

Building Water Resilience in the Northwest Through Soil Management

Dead Horse State Park by Pedro Szekely is in the public domain

Drought impacts information helps the State of Utah in drought monitoring, planning and response efforts, and U.S. Drought Monitor authors in categorizing drought severity.  However, drought impacts in Utah have historically been under-reported, meaning that important…

Drought monitoring and reporting in Utah

Soil, land, and water conservation districts across the Midwest and Northern forests region are beginning to integrate climate change into near and long-term planning. This process will look different for each organization, and the result of this effort will reflect the focus…

Resources for County Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Gypsum curtain scene from virtual tour

Nutrient leaching is a process by which percolating rainwater carries dissolved nutrients down through the soil profile. Leached nutrients that reach shallow groundwater may then move towards surface water features like drainage ditches and streams. Nitrogen and phosphorus are…

UMES Permeable Reactive Barriers

Trees ready for planting

Tree planting is a tangible action that can retain and increase carbon storage on natural lands. Planting trees is one of many actions that we can take to address climate change that can also help to promote resilient, healthy, and productive forests and communities. The…

Trillion trees - FAQs regarding tree planting

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