Related story in Mail Tribune 5-12-18

Global warming and its climate change consequences are impacting the Rogue Valley already with higher temperatures and reduced frost and freeze days.  While these may have short-term benefits, the greatest immediate and long-term problem we face probably relates to water.

The next Southern Oregon Climate Action Now General Meeting on Tuesday May 29^th at 6:00 pm at the Medford Public Library (205 S. Central Avenue, Medford) will focus on this critical issue.

Brett Lutz, Meteorologist and Assistant Climate Program Manager with the U.S. Weather Service in Medford will discuss precipitation trends as reflected in the Medford Weather Office data, including rainfall and snowpack trends regionally and locally and the more critical water content of the snow that falls.  Brett will also consider future projections.

Shavon Haynes, District 13 Watermaster, will then consider how the patterns and projections are impacting residents of the region, with reference to domestic, commercial, and irrigation needs and what these suggest for our future water conservations requirements.  Shavon will also discuss the complex issue of water rights and how these impact supplies and availability.

Attendees at the program should leave with a better understanding of how one of the most critical consequences of global warming is influencing us in the valley and will continue to affect us in the future.

SOCAN programs are always free and open to the public.