The Stream, September 9: U.S. Temperature Records

Summer 2011 saw more warm temperature records tied or broken in the United States than any other summer in the past decade, Climate Central reported, citing National Climatic Data Center statistics. Check out the details here, including an interactive map of all temperature records set in June, July and August.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service announced that this year Texas had the warmest summer for any state in the U.S. in recorded history, according to Associated Press.

The La Nina weather phenomenon will return for another season, bringing more severe weather for parts of the world, AFP reported, citing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center. Although back-to-back La Nina years are not unusual, the weather pattern is likely to prolong an already dire Texas drought.

A new study commissioned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has found both penalties and rewards for the state from shale gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing, The New York Times reported. Which one carries more weight? The release of the report kicks off a public comment period on fracking that will last until December.

Switching from coal to natural gas would do little to slow down global climate change, according to a new study by a senior research associate at the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research.

More than 12.6 million people are short of drinking water in southwestern China due to a persisting drought, which has also affected about 3 million hectares of farmland, Xinhua reported, citing China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek