Texas experiences worst drought in 91 years

Though College Station has seen rain in recent days, Steven Quiring, a professor in the Department of Geography, said 88 percent of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, and 18 percent is in either extreme or exceptional drought conditions. He said Texas is experiencing weather conditions that only happen once or twice every 100 years. "The conditions we are seeing right now have only been worse once, recorded in 1917-1918, so for most of us this is a record event," Quiring, who specializes in Texas weather patterns, said. "These extreme conditions only have a 1 percent or 2 percent chance of happening over about 100 years." One of the contributing factors is whether Texas remains in La Niña or El Niño. "La Niña and El Niño have a big influence on the weather patterns," Quiring said. "We have been in La Niña conditions for the last nine to 12 months and these conditions are associated with drier then normal conditions, particularly when storms are steered away from the southern states, including Texas, decreasing our rainfall." Right now, 168 counties in Texas have issued burn bans, and the spring forecast shows the drought will continue through at least April...thebatt.com