GOES-R Satellite Promises Less Art, More Science in Storm Forecasting

That's when the test phase for the new GOES-R satellite should be complete, providing the National Weather Service with an improved tool to track lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes. The current combination of human meteorologists and computer forecast models often means "educated guesses based on the data to derive what the impact might be," said Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Weak Rand Drives South African Corn, Wheat, Soybean to Records

South African grain and oilseed prices surged to records after the rand weakened and international prices increased, making imports pricier just as the country becomes a net buyer of the commodities after a drought damaged local harvests. Yellow corn for July delivery rose 2.7 percent to 3,815 rand a metric ton on the South African Futures Exchange in Johannesburg Monday, the highest level since trading started in August 1996.

Feds expect more Atlantic tropical storms than last 3 years

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File FILE- In this Oct.1, 2015 file photo, Craig Fugate, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency , right, talks about the status of Hurricane Joaquin as it moves through the eastern Bahamas as Rick Knabb, Director of the National Hurricane Center, left, participate in a media briefing at the National Hurricane Center. The U.S. government is set to release its forecast for how many hurricanes and tropical storms are expected to form over Atlantic and Caribbean waters in the next six months.

Trapped group escapes Kentucky cave through neck-deep water

A group of college students trapped by flash flooding on a field trip to a Kentucky cave Thursday walked through neck-deep water to get to safety, authorities said. The 19 people who escaped more than six hours after entering Hidden River Cave included students from Clemson University, four tour guides, and two police officers who became trapped when they tried to rescue the group, Kentucky State Police Trooper B.J. Eaton said.

New Philippine president to face early test over food security amid mounting drought damage to crops

There are concerns potentially vital imports may be delayed as the incoming administration of Rodrigo Duterte, who campaigned on making food available and affordable, looks to overhaul policies and review existing state purchase plans While Philippine elections this month were dominated by talk about crushing crime, the next president faces another critical early test: ensuring there is enough rice for the country's more than 100 million people. The Philippine crop is suffering mounting drought damage, just as the country's big Asian rice suppliers also suffer from an El Nino weather pattern.

Barbara Boxer to lobby for desalination plant in Huntington Beach

Two prominent former California Democratic lawmakers who oversaw environmental legislation, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and state Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, have signed on to lobby for a controversial desalination plant in Huntington Beach. For nearly two decades, the plant proposed for a Pacific Coast Highway site next to an existing Huntington Beach power generating facility has faced strong opposition from community and environmental groups.

Spanish football sees major drop in doping tests

Hundreds of schools have been closed and most flights have been canceled in and out of New Hampshire as the latest storm to hit the area has dumped over a foot of snow in some places. A federal judge in Washington is hearing arguments on whether to stop work on the $3.8 billion Dakota Access oil pipeline until a legal battle with American Indian tribes is resolved.