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Weather and Climate

Water levels in Lake Powell are dipping dangerously close to "dead pool," at which point it becomes impossible to generate hydropower at the Glen Canyon dam. Experts think the reservoir could reach those levels within a year.

Hydropower customers could pay extra fees

May 26, 2022 Federal law requires fees be paid whether or not dams are generating power.
Snow hangs in Colorado's Elk Mountains in May 2022. The Colorado River gets the majority of its water from high-altitude snowpack, and climate scientists say it's likely that less water than normal will make it into rivers and streams.

For this summer's water forecast, climate experts are looking back to winter

May 16, 2022 Snow is the key to water in Arizona and other the Colorado River Basin states.
Water levels in Lake Powell are dipping dangerously close to "dead pool," at which point it becomes impossible to generate hydropower at the Glen Canyon dam. Experts think the reservoir could reach those levels within a year.

Colorado River basin give approval to proposed water cutbacks

Apr 22, 2022 The plan would cut flows to Arizona, Nevada and California by 480,000 acre-feet, enough water to supply more than half a million homes for a year.
Flaming Gorge Reservoir stores water in Wyoming and Utah.

Amid dropping water levels in Lake Powell, another ‘short-term fix’ is on the way

Apr 22, 2022 Upper Colorado River Basis states reach a deal.
A sprawling swath of the West is in drought, with more than 20 years of dryness in the Colorado River basin. Researchers say nearly every indicator of drought is heading in the wrong direction.

Drought to continue, NOAA says

Mar 17, 2022 Dryness and above average temperatures bring wildfire danger.
The H.Wilson Sundt Generating Station at 3950 E. Irvington Road is seen in this image from a Tucson Electric Power video on YouTube.

Tucson Electric Power plant emissions upgrade scheduled

Mar 16, 2022 Pima County seeks public comment on NOx reduction plan.
Tucson City Hall seen from El Presidio Plaza.

Tucson hires consulting firm to work on Climate Action Plan

Mar 7, 2022 The city will pay the firm $400,000
The Colorado River Basin continues to be sapped dry by increasing temperatures and diminished precipitation.

UN climate report says drought, earlier runoff will make water scarce this summer

Mar 2, 2022 A new report from the United Nations’ panel on climate change lays out a grim picture of the future.
The sun shines harshly behind a saguaro cactus.

Last year was fifth-warmest recorded in Tucson

Jan 4, 2022 Each month was among the warmest in Tucson history except for July, when there was heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.
Clouds and rainbow over Tucson during 2021 monsoon.

Arizona sees wet, windy weather with rain, snow

Dec 24, 2021 Holiday travel impacted by rain and snow
Laura Dent had solar panels installed on her home earlier this year through a co-op and says that the process was simple and straightforward.

Nonprofit helps homeowners find good price for solar panels

Dec 2, 2021 The organization is launching its second co-op in Tucson.
The Colorado River Basin continues to be sapped dry by increasing temperatures and diminished precipitation.

Drought to continue, say weather experts

Oct 26, 2021 The 2021 monsoon did little to help.
County officials and media tour a biogas refining plant at the Tres Rios Water Reclamation Facility, Oct. 21, 2021. The newly-dedicated plant will supply renewable natural gas, or RNG, to Southwest Gas, reducing the utility's demand for fossil-fuel based gas.

Biogas plant makes fuel, money for Pima County

Oct 21, 2021 Facility purifies waste methane for commercial use.
Lake Mead outside Las Vegas, Nevada, serves as the Colorado River's largest reservoir and a key water source for Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico.

Forecasters expect drier, warmer winter in Southwest

Oct 21, 2021 Drought conditions are expected to continue or worsen across Arizona over the coming months.
A Tucson Unified School District Bus.

Tucson leaders push for electric school buses

Oct 6, 2021 Infrastructure bills include billions for zero-emission vehicles
Canada del Oro wash looking east from the bridge on La Cholla during Monsoon 2021.

How the monsoon season impacted life in Southern Arizona, from wildfires to bugs

Oct 1, 2021 The National Weather Service said the monsoon season was the third-wettest that Tucson has seen since 1895, and it followed an exceptionally dry year.

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