Umphlett QCI Dec 2014

Highlights for the Basin Temperature and Precipitation Anomalies Drought Conditions Agriculture Horticulture Recreation and Tourism 3-Month Precipitation and Temperature Outlooks Soil Moisture Condition

Umphlett QCI June 2015

Highlights for the Basin Temperature and Precipitation Anomalies Drought Conditions Water Supplies Recovering Heavy Rains Cause Flooding Agriculture Impacts 3-Month Precipitation and Temperature Outlook

Umphlett QCI 2015

Highlights for the Basin Temperature and Precipitation Anomalies Late Hard Freeze Late Freezes Extended Growing Season Warm Fall Delays Bird Migrations Monitoring Water Resources Across the Basin 3-Month Precipitation and Temperature Outlook

Building Adaptive Capacity in Tribal Communities of the Missouri River Basin to Manage Drought and Climate Extremes: A Case Study from the Wind River Indian Reservation

Native American peoples of the Northern and Central Plains have long endured harsh climate conditions, such as floods and droughts, and they possess valuable traditional knowledges that have enhanced their resilience to these extreme events. However, in recent times, limited capacity to adapt to a rapidly changing climate combined with a lack of resources have increased tribes’ vulnerability to climate extremes and their associated impacts. In response, a number of projects have been developed to assist tribes with their self-identified climate- and drought-related needs, particularly in the context of on-reservation decision-making. In this case study, we present an engagement strategy that was piloted for the tribes of the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming and replicated for other tribes across the Northern and Central Plains. We found that frequent, face-to-face interactions between tribal and scientific communities builds relationships and trust between these two groups. We also found that climate capacity-building projects that include a diverse team of physical and social scientists, as well as tribal members, provide the greatest benefit to tribes. Finally, we found that these capacity-building projects can help reinforce tribal sovereignty

The Prairie Post Quarterly Newsletter of the High Plains Regional Climate Center- April 2015

Inside this issue: Message from the director........................................1 Staff spotlight...........................1 Stakeholder engagement activities......................................2 Partnership spotlight.............2 AWDN information.................3 Update on regional climate conditions..................................3 Product highlight....................4 Research highlight..................4 Outreach events......................5 Recent and upcoming travel and activities.............................

Climate Change: What Does It Mean for Nebraska?

Because Nebraska’s location on the North American continent is far removed from large bodies of water, Nebraskans experience a strong continental type climate. As such, residents do not benefit from the moderating influence of the ocean, and temperatures can have wide swings from day to day and season to season. Typical characteristics for a continental climate at this latitude are large temperature variability with warm summers dominated by convective thunderstorms, and cold winters influenced by snow and wind from mid-latitude cyclones

Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National Climate Assessment Part 4. Climate of the U.S. Great Plains

This document is one of series of regional climate descriptions designed to provide input that can be used in the development of the National Climate Assessment (NCA). As part of a sustained assessment approach, it is intended that these documents will be updated as new and well-vetted model results are available and as new climate scenario needs become clear. It is also hoped that these documents (and associated data and resources) are of direct benefit to decision makers and communities seeking to use this information in developing adaptation plans. There are nine reports in this series, one each for eight regions defined by the NCA, and one for the contiguous U.S. The eight NCA regions are the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Great Plains, Northwest, Southwest, Alaska, and Hawai‘i/Pacific Islands. These documents include a description of the observed historical climate conditions for each region and a set of climate scenarios as plausible futures – these components are described in more detail below. While the datasets and simulations in these regional climate documents are not, by themselves, new, (they have been previously published in various sources), these documents represent a more complete and targeted synthesis of historical and plausible future climate conditions around the specific regions of the NCA. There are two components of these descriptions. One component is a description of the historical climate conditions in the region. The other component is a description of the climate conditions associated with two future pathways of greenhouse gas emissions

Umphlett QCI Dec 2014

Highlights for the Basin Temperature and Precipitation Anomalies Drought Conditions Agriculture Horticulture Recreation and Tourism 3-Month Precipitation and Temperature Outlooks Soil Moisture Condition

Umphlett QCI Dec 2013

Highlights for the Basin Temperature and Precipitation Anomalies Soil Moisture September Flooding in Colorado Early October Blizzard 3-Month Precipitation and Temperature Outlooks U.S. Seasonal Drought Outloo

Umphlett QCI 2015

Highlights for the Basin Temperature and Precipitation Anomalies Late Hard Freeze Late Freezes Extended Growing Season Warm Fall Delays Bird Migrations Monitoring Water Resources Across the Basin 3-Month Precipitation and Temperature Outlook