Kirk Ziegler
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
President Trump's budget czar, Russell Vogt, has been targeting the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, since last year, calling it a, quote, premier research stronghold for left-wing climate lunacy.
NCAR, which is operated by a consortium of major public universities, houses one of the world's largest weather supercomputers.
Its forecasting research has lately been used directly by utilities that have had to make split-second decisions whether to turn off power lines when major wind events elevate wildfire danger.
In a statement, the lab's director said the judge's decision recognizes NCAR's importance to public safety and national security.
Because it seems like we have it all, man.
The western states that are in the worst shape are Colorado, Utah, and Oregon.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, statewide snowpack there is only about 50% of average, and that's only at high altitudes.
Some ski areas have closed prematurely, but in the west, where the snowpack acts as the main water storage reservoir, cities and farmers are even more on edge.
If things don't turn around, especially at lower altitudes, NOAA says the wildfire risk will be even more severe going into spring.
Climate scientists point to a warm-weather blob stuck in the Pacific Ocean, possibly related to rapid melting in the Arctic, that's caused it to be unseasonably warm from Montana to California for weeks now.
Kirk Ziegler, NPR News, Los Angeles.
The Great Salt Lake has already shrunk to half its historical size amid the West's mega drought.
The last two years of decent snow have bought some time, but now the lake is forecast to reach a new record low water level by fall.
That could change for Utah to start getting some of its famous big snow dumps, but none are in the immediate forecast.
Environmental groups like the Sierra Club and Grow the Flow say they're rallying today to hold Governor Spencer Cox and legislative leaders on their own promises to enforce a long-term plan to save the lake.
The annual rally comes as dust storms blowing off the drying lakebed are being blamed for worsening pollution in Salt Lake City neighborhoods, and the ski industry, among other businesses, are worried about lake effect snow going away.