Global Warming In The News

Severe rainstorms throughout the country and in Texas have been become significantly more common over the past 60 years, according to a new report.

The study was released in San Antonio Tuesday by Environment Texas. The advocacy group, which is affiliated with U.S. PIRG, is using the findings to lobby for more efforts to fight global warming, which, many scientists believe, is increasing the likelihood of violent storms.

“At the rate we're going, what was once the storm of the decade will be just another downpour,” said J.J. Karabias, the group's federal field associate.

The study, “When It Rains, It Pours,” analyzed precipitation data from 3,000 weather stations from 1948 through 2006. It found that storms with extreme precipitation have increased 24 percent across the country.

The group defined extreme precipitation as a storm strong enough to occur only once a year over the study period. Because of Texas' size and diverse climate, “extreme precipitation” varies throughout the state. It ranges from one inch of rain in 24 hours in arid West Texas to well over four inches in 24 hours at the coast. In San Antonio, it is about three inches in 24 hours.

An increase in severe rainstorms, the report states, does not necessarily mean an increase in overall rainfall. Scientists fear that some areas of the country, like Texas, might see a combination of more violent storms and more severe drought.

Nationally, the biggest jumps in severe storms came in the New England and Middle Atlantic states, which showed increases of 61 percent and 42 percent, respectively. Texas came in near the annual average, with an increase of 28 percent.

Although Texas wound up in the middle of the pack, Rep. Mike Villarreal, D-San Antonio, pointed out that severe weather is a major problem in San Antonio and throughout the state.

After two years of drought, San Antonio was hit by a series of deluges this year. The heavy rains were responsible for 63 deaths throughout the state, according to the National Weather Service.

Villarreal used the report to urge local residents to switch their light bulbs to energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs and to join CPS Energy's Peak Saver program. The program allows the energy company to remotely turn off a customer's air conditioning for short periods during peak demand times to help save energy.

Villarreal also urged Texas to join a dozen states that have adopted California's stringent vehicle emissions standard.

“The evidence is clear that global warming is already impacting Texas,” he said. “The state really needs to adapt.”