Sunset tonight is at 8:27, with sunrise tomorrow at 5:56 AM. The moon is a waxing crescent, just 4% full, and will set around 7:13 this evening.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, dry conditions are expected to persist in the coming months. And new research funded by NOAA highlights an alarming trend: drought doesn’t just make heat waves worse — it makes them longer.
The study found that when drought and extreme heat occur together, heat waves can last up to two extra days, with dangerously high temperatures especially during late afternoons and evenings. While this pattern is strongest in the Southwest — including parts of Colorado, Arizona, Texas, and California — it’s also appearing in parts of the Eastern U.S.
Scientists say dry soils may be a key factor, limiting evaporation and trapping heat near the surface. The findings raise concern for agriculture, wildfire risk, infrastructure, and public health. Researchers say that monitoring soil moisture more closely could help communities prepare for extreme heat more effectively.
That’s today’s Outdoor Report from KSJD. And remember — water is a shared resource here in the Four Corners.
