Is nitrogen linked to global warming?
Rocky Mountain National Park's glaciers may be melting because of global warming and releasing environment-altering nitrogen, researchers told a recent science conference reported by the Denver Post. Nitrogen fuels lake and stream algae growth and smog. Concern about nitrogen pollution in the park ecosystem led to a plan to cut man-made nitrogen sources in Colorado. Now, it appears park glaciers are releasing naturally occurring nitrogen trapped in ice. Jill Baron of the U.S. Geological Survey. who's monitored nitrogen in the Loch Vale watershed for 25 years, suspects melting glacier ice has increased the gas 33 percent since 2000. Glacial melting is believed to be the source because researchers also see more calcium and sulfates -- commonly stored in ancient ice -- in lake water. Before 2000, average spring temperatures were below freezing, but since then, they've risen, Baron said.
Dale Stensgaard, a Herald copy and wire editor, compiles this daily weather tidbit.
Posted by: dailydale on 5/15/2008 at 12:30 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Northern parts of area get some decent rain
Northern parts of our area got a pretty good dose of rain Monday and early Tuesday, while southern and eastern areas stayed fairly dry. Top North Dakota rain totals for the 24 hours ending at 7 a.m. Tuesday were Pembina, 0.72 of an inch; Cavalier, 0.54; Sarles, 0.53; Langdon, 0.46; Edinburg, 0.45; Lankin, 0.40; Forest River, 0.39; Grand Forks Air Force Base, 0.38; Edmore, 0.30; Grand Forks National Weather Service, 0.26; Grand Forks airport, 0.25; Homme Dam, 0.22; Starkweather, 0.20; Hansboro, 0.19; Devils Lake airport, 0.16; Fort Totten, 0.13; and Mayville, 0.12. Highest Minnesota totals were Roseau,1.43 inches; Warroad, 1.34; Baudette, 1.01; Greenbush, 0.97; Lancaster, 0.91; Lake Bronson, 0.83; Humboldt, 0.64; Stephen, 0.57; Hallock, 0.49; Argyle, 0.47; and Agassiz Wildlife Refuge, 0.35.
Dale Stensgaard, a Herald copy and wire editor, compiles this daily weather tidbit.
Posted by: dailydale on 5/14/2008 at 12:30 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Missouri River runoff in April only 1/3 of normal
Runoff into the three upper Missouri River reservoirs was 33 percent of normal in April, and the level of all three lakes fell, the Army Corps of Engineers said. Little rain fell in the Dakotas or Montana, and cool weather slowed melting of mountain snowpack. That made it hard to maintain or raise water levels for the baitfish spawn in Fort Peck reservoir in Montana, Garrison in North Dakota and Oahe in South Dakota. Each lake fell 6 inches in April. Garrison and Oahe are expected to rise 2 feet in May, and Fort Peck 1οΎ½ feet. May's ending water levels will be 30 feet below normal in Fort Peck, 26 feet below normal in Garrison, and 20 feet below normal in Oahe. Average releases from the system hit an all-time record low in 2007 because of drought conservation measures and high downstream inflow. The Corps said releases will continue much below average this year to save water in reservoirs.
Dale Stensgaard, a Herald copy and wire editor, compiles this daily weather tidbit.
Posted by: dailydale on 5/13/2008 at 12:30 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Weekend snow, then sun, today rain
It might be nearly mid-May, but snow still fell Saturday and early Sunday in parts of Minnesota. The National Weather Service reported 4 inches of snow in Ely by Sunday morning. Duluth got one-half inch of snow, and measurable amounts also fell near both Virginia and Grand Rapids. Other Minnesota precipitation totals were Norris Camp, 1.5 inches of snow, which equaled 0.15 of an inch of water; Red Lake Falls, 1 inch, water content 0.14 of an inch; Ottertail, 0.78 of an inch of rain; Wadena, 0.73; New York Mills, 0.68; Sebeka, 0.54; Breckenridge, 0.41; and Rothsay, 0.22. Our area enjoyed sunny skies and warmer temperatures Sunday, but rain is possible late this afternoon and tonight as a low-pressure system and associated cold front push across the Northern Plains, forecasters said. This system will bring showers to our area, with nearly all points getting some rain, forecasters aid, though amounts don't appear to be substantial at this time. The front will move east Tuesday, with drier weather moving in for the rest of the week. Temperatures will run a few degrees below seasonal normals, forecasters said.
Dale Stensgaard, a Herald copy and wire editor, compiles this daily weather tidbit.
Posted by: dailydale on 5/12/2008 at 12:30 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Cold, snowy spring kills many songbirds
Our chilly, snowy spring has killed scores of songbirds in the northern two-thirds of Minnesota. The Department of Natural Resources has received many reports of dead swallows, bluebirds, kinglets, sparrows, robins and warblers since last week. The birds apparently starved to death because of a lack of insects caused by cold weather and late-April snow. Such a large bird die-off is unusual. "I don't remember anything quite as dramatic," Carroll Henderson, DNR nongame wildlife program leader, told the Star Tribune. He said the area from the Twin Cities and north was affected. Mike North, rural Brainerd, Minn., works for the DNR's Division of Ecological Resources. He saw a lethargic tree swallow sitting along a county road, then checked nesting boxes on his property and found 19 dead tree swallows. "One box had nine dead birds in it, huddled together, apparently trying to stay warm," he said.
Dale Stensgaard, a Herald copy and wire editor, compiles this daily weather tidbit.
Posted by: dailydale on 5/11/2008 at 12:30 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
