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Rob McClendon: While we may be concerned about the weather, scientists at U S D A’s Agricultural
Research Station in El Reno are more concerned about our climate. Our Jessica Lowe visited
the Grazing Lands Research Laboratory at historic Fort Reno.
Jessica: From the grass fire outbreaks we saw not too long ago, to increasingly high
electric bills, I’m sure we’d all agree, it’s been an uncomfortably hot summer. Even
with sporadic rains here and there, the fact remains, Oklahoma is still suffering from
drought. Scientists and climate professionals are studying what’s been happening in our
weather over the last several years, and are coming up with ways to help our state, beat
the heat. Jeanne Schneider and Jurgen Garbrecht study climate variations and the way they
are affecting our daily lives. And while these scientists say we shouldn’t be alarmed by
our state’s drought, there is room to be concerned.
Jeanne Schneider: We’re back to conditions that look more like the 50’s or the 30’s
or the teens. And if you know anything about the history of those times, you know those
were significant drought periods. Jessica: And Oklahoma is experiencing the
biggest drought on record since 1895. And it’s not just a change in our weather; it’s
a change in our climate. Jurgen Garbrecht: Weather is what happens
on a daily basis; you look out the window, you have the sunshine or you have rainfall;
that is the weather. Climate is the averages over several weeks or months or a year.
Jessica: Derek Arndt is with the Oklahoma Climatological Survey and says our current
weather patterns are the exact opposite of the wet periods we saw just a decade ago.
Derek Arndt: The mid 80s through most of the 90s was very wet. If you looked at that period
of time versus the rest of the state’s modern climate history, it really stands out as one
of the wettest periods that we’ve experienced. Jessica: And while everyone can agree it’s
hotter than ever, why it’s so hot, is still a question.
Arndt: You know it’s a big political debate, it’s also a very big scientific debate,
so the impacts of global warming, the causes of global warming are still up in the air.
Jessica: And even if we see a little rain, that change in weather doesn’t mean a change
in climate. Schneider: It’s going to take more than
an inch worth of rain to make a difference. Once you get into a drought, it takes a long
time to come out. One rain event, two good rains, even three good rains isn’t going
to do it. You need above average rains for several months before you start making a dent
in it. Jessica: And Jurgen says more than anyone,
drought and inconsistent weather patterns are having a huge affect on the Oklahoma farmer.
Garbrecht: Agriculture is very dependent on weather and climate. There’s a lot of decisions
that need to be made, in farming, that depends on the way you plow, how much fertilizer you
apply, what kind of crop variety you want to plant. And information on the weather can
help make those decisions. Jessica: So by looking at long term climate
trends, these scientists hope to help Oklahoma cope with these short term weather woes.