More extreme weather

We had another extreme perception event, with 3.7" of rain just yesterday.  Streams are overflowing and thousands of basements are flooded. Many farm fields throughout the state are underwater. There is an area of SW Minnesota that has received over a foot of rain during the course of a week. (Across Minnesota, relentless rainfall creates perils and hassles).

A couple of years ago, at a presentation on climate change by Dr. Gene Takle I learned: In addition to global warming there is now a tendency for the springs to be wetter, while the falls become drier. Dr. Takle aslo noted that will continue to experience more extreme floods and droughts and weather events. The stratosphere is getting cooler while the troposphere is warming.

Pictured right is a great blue heron standing nearby a submerged walking trail around Bassett Creek Park.

Climate change and wetter springs

During yesterday's drive down to Luther College, located in Decorah, Iowa, I noticed that many of the farmer's fields in Southern Minnesota had only recently been planted, while others showed no indication of crop growth.  This spring has been so wet it hasn't been afforded farmers a window of opportunity to plant. Many will not be eligible for crop insurance coverage for their corn, since it would have already needed to be planted by now in oder to have a good chance of maturing by fall.

More information about climate change and its impact on agriculture is available from an article by Dr. Gene Takle, Iowa State's Takle addresses USDA on climate change and its effects on agriculture. As a side note, Dr. Takle is a graduate of Luther College and was a national cross country champion while a student there in the 1960's.