In Coos Bay we have had a strange winter. not a lot of rain like in normal years. We have people out in the country with wells going dry and cattle grazing fields that should be flooded. we are even getting forest fires this last week. Un real. this summer is going to be a hot one here.
Brian Devon wrote:
California is experiencing the worst drought in its 163 year statehood. I live in Northern Calif. We have had exactly one day of rain the entire autumn and winter. There is very little Sierra Snowpack and Ski resorts are closing (this is January, not June).
For those who have been paying attention, man-caused carbon emissions have long been predicted to cause massive weather extremes around the world. It was not predicted that there would be universal warming. What was predicted was that there would be regional climate disasters. Climate prediction is an incredibly complex science, that involves numerous feedback loops related to
ocean current temperatures, ice pack, and too many other variables to list in this post.
What would be the big repercussions if the high pressure ridge, parked off the coast, doesn't budge?
1. It would be a disaster for all Californians. If California becomes a modern day dust bowl, the state's 38 million people would have to migrate to other states. Their departure would cause trillions of dollars in real estate value to evaporate. Many of the biggest U.S. banks would be ruined.
2. The cost of fruits and vegetables would rise dramatically for much of the U.S.
3. A California exile would dramatically raise demand for housing in other states and drive up their housing costs.
4. 38 million people departing from a very blue state will cause numerous red states to turn blue. Californians don't like living in extreme cold, so the southern "red" states would be the most appealing.
5. The population and financial dislocations would trigger a national depression, which would make the 1930s pale in comparison.
6. The high pressure ridge would cause Calif. bound rain to be routed up over the western mountains and cause flooding in much of the east. The climate disruption will actually cause more ice and snow (and paradoxically) cold events in the east. Like I said, feedback loops are complicated.
7. Conservatives in other states would do well to refrain from gloating. If the nation's boat develops a large hole, ALL of its passengers will get extremely soaked. "Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."
An endless sunny summer is fun...until its not...
California is experiencing the worst drought in it... (
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