high plains weather

Spring storms in Texas can bring heavy rain, flash flooding, tornadoes — and hail. Sometimes the hail is pea-sized and harmless. Other times, it's big enough to smash windshields, shred roofs and leave homeowners with costly repairs. But there is still a lot about hail that we don't fully understand.

Panelists at Colorado SunFest say faster, AI-driven models are improving predictions but stress humans remain essential to interpreting the data and explaining climate risks.

Severe weather is happening more frequently as the climate changes, adding to an ever-growing list of challenges for U.S. farmers. From sudden temperature swings to floods, these events can have serious consequences for farms and ranches.

Puzzled weather experts wondered whether that might be an excuse to stifle questions, as the data used to blame hail shows the opposite: Oklahoma has had less hail than states with lower rates.

"The very discussion about reducing our investment in our scientific research and our weather forecasting causes me to have stomach cramps," Rep. Frank Lucas said.

The closure of four of the six Regional Climate Centers across the U.S. occurred after funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ran out. A recent report stated that the Trump administration plans to propose a 25% cut to NOAA's budget next fiscal year.

Another year of dry conditions could hurt production for farmers growing crops and raising livestock in the region.

Nearly 2,500 jobs are being eliminated at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency responsible for collecting weather data used by meteorologists. That could spell danger for millions of people who rely on accurate forecasts.

The Austin area is expecting below freezing temperatures starting Thursday and stretching into the holiday weekend.

Much of the Texas Panhandle and South Plains appears to be heading into severe drought conditions, despite heavy rains earlier in the summer.As The…