K-State Research and Extension News RSS Feeds>Environment and Weather

‘Tis the Season to Beware of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- As sunlight hours dwindle and give way to chilly fall and winter days, people often turn to auxiliary heat sources. Whether this source is an old fashion wood stove or a modern furnace, if it involves combustion it brings the risk of carbon monoxide.
11/19/2009

Winter Mulch AFTER Plants Are Dormant
OLATHE, Kan. – Many gardeners find the concept hard to accept: You shouldn’t protect most perennial plants from each year’s late-season decline into freezing weather.
11/19/2009

Water Issues Forum in Wichita and Hays to Examine Climate Change, Kansas’ Future
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The 2009 Kansas Water Issues Forum will take a proactive look this December at climate change and water -- in terms of planning for the future.
11/18/2009

Weather Wonders: Nov. 16-20 is Winter Weather Awareness Week in Kansas
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- The National Weather Service has designated Nov. 16-20 as Winter Weather Awareness Week in Kansas. That makes it a good time for Kansans to review terminology used in weather forecasts and to be aware of the appropriate action that should be taken, said Kansas State Climatologist, Mary Knapp.
11/12/2009

A Backyard Haven For Wildlife--Birdbaths, feeders entice animals into your landscape
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. -- Once the growing season is done and the gardening equipment has been put away, many homeowners invite birds into their home landscape. It’s a win-win situation. Birds find necessary nourishment during the cold, winter months, and families enjoy watching the colorful, often graceful visitors.
11/11/2009

Tracy Streeter, Kansas Water Office...

The director of the Kansas Water Office, Tracy Streeter, previews the Kansas Water Issues Forum that K-State will co-sponsor in December at two locations in Kansas...he highlights some of the leading water quantity and quality topics that will be addressed at those public meetings.

11/10/2009

Assess Landscape Soil Before the Ground Freezes
SALINA, Kan. – The weeks before the ground freezes for winter can be a good time for yard owners to come to grips with whether their soil is truly a health-promoting base for landscape and garden plants.
11/6/2009

Climatologist Explains ‘Frost Line’
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Mary Knapp is asked a lot of weather-related questions in her role as the state climatologist for Kansas. One of the questions that comes up at this time of year, in particular, is “What is the frost line and why is it important?”
11/5/2009

K-State agricultural economist Jeff Peterson...

K-State agricultural economist Jeff Peteson discusses research the department has been conducting on water quality trading...a concept that could have a future in Kansas.

11/2/2009

Weather Can Be a Trick or a Treat on Halloween in Kansas

Around Halloween time, the weather in Kansas can be either a trick or a treat, according to climatologist Mary Knapp.
10/29/2009

Panel discussion on climate change...

Remarks presented at a panel discussion on climate change and agriculture conducted on the K-State campus last week, featuring a number of perspectives on agriculture's adaptiveness to changing climatic conditions and its role in mitigating that change: you'll
hear comments from K-State geographer John Harrington, K-State chemical engineer Mary Rezac, and K-State agronomists Scott Staggenborg and Chuck Rice.

10/26/2009

Panel discussion on climate change continued...

More remarks from a panel discussion on climate change and agriculture conducted on the K-State campus last week, featuring comments from K-State geographer John Harrington, K-State chemical engineer Mary Rezac, and K-State agronomists Scott
Staggenborg and Chuck Rice.

10/26/2009

Fall Freeze Takes Toll on Western Kansas Soybeans, But Options Remain
Typically, some late-maturing soybean fields suffer from freeze damage in the fall, but more soybean acres than normal have been affected this year in western Kansas, according to Kent Martin, crops and soils specialist with Kansas State University’s Southwest Area Extension Office.

10/23/2009

Nitrogen Cycling via Cover Crops Protects Groundwater
MANHATTAN, Kan. – One of the range of reasons for growing cover crops is to “trap” nitrogen in the soil and preserve it for future use.
10/22/2009

Oct. 25 Marks Anniversary of One of Kansas’ Worst Blizzards
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas will soon mark the anniversary of one of the worst blizzards in recent memory.
10/22/2009

Biomass ‘Trash’ Can Be Alternative Energy Treasure
MANHATTAN, Kan. – An intriguing part of looking to biomass as a non-fossil fuel source is what it can do with leftovers – trash.
10/15/2009

Kansas secretary of agriculture Josh Svaty...

Kansas secretary of agriculture Josh Svaty talks about state budget cuts and how that has adversely impacted the Water Rights Conservation Program in Kansas..and what steps the department is taking to allow irrigators to continue the benefits from that program.

10/12/2009

Wrapping Thin-Barked Trees Thwarts Winter Perils
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Winter is hazardous for newly planted trees, even “mighty oak” saplings. Sometimes it remains dangerous for trees that stay fairly smooth and thin-barked as they grow -- including ashes, honeylocusts, lindens, maples, willows and most fruit trees.
10/8/2009

Kansas Universities to Share in $20 Million NSF Grant Awarded to EPSCoR for Climate Change, Renewable Energy Research
A $20 million National Science Foundation grant will further establish Kansas as an internationally recognized leader in global climate change and renewable energy research – and will let a Nobel-Prize winning K-State scientist continue his work on the effects of climate change.

10/6/2009

New Wildfire Safety, Prevention Rules Help Owners Make Homes a ‘Defensible Space’
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The near-annual house losses in huge California wildfires are only one example of why fire safety and prevention have taken on a whole new slant. The still-evolving set of rules, tips and advice addresses what’s needed to protect property from fires that start outdoors … and spread.
10/2/2009

Weather Wonders: Rainfall Still Measured Much Like 140 Years Ago
MANHATTAN, Kan. – There are plenty of weather watchers out there -- farmers, construction workers and mothers wondering how to dress the kids for school, often keep a close eye on the forecast.
10/1/2009

Sericea Lespedeza Treatment Still Possible This Fall
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- It’s not too late to treat sericea lespedeza on Kansas farms this fall, but treatments should be applied soon, according to a Kansas State University agronomist.
10/1/2009

CLEAN WATER ACT...

Two years ago, an effort was started in Congress to reinforce the Clean Water Act, by broadening its oversight of water resources in the United States. This was dubbed the Clean Water Restoration Act, and it became a source of considerable controversy amongst agricultural producers and outdoor enthusiasts. More recently, steps were taken to soften the impact of the proposed new legislation. Wildlife specialist Charlie Lee of K-State talks about that this week.

9/24/2009

Are ‘Found’ Eagle Feathers OK to Keep?
Q: I have found a dead eagle. May I keep the feathers? A: Probably not. Just two eagle species are native to the United States, and both are protected.
9/24/2009

Weather Wonders: Snow Blindness, Burn Are Hazards to Recognize

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Kansans generally don’t see enough snow on the ground to risk two common snow-related hazards. But, knowing how to recognize the problems can be helpful during trips to ski or snow country, said Mary Knapp, state climatologist of Kansas.

1/22/2009

Weather Wonders: Glare Ice a Wintry Road Hazard
MANHATTAN, Kan. – “Glare ice” is a winter weather term that many don’t know about, although they may have observed it, said State of Kansas Climatologist Mary Knapp.
1/15/2009