CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 01/21/10

Cold Georgia winter leads to soaring heating demand

By David E. Stooksbury, Ph.D.

Since Dec. 1, Georgians have experienced abnormally cold and wet weather, resulting in very high heating demands across the state.

For the first half of the climatological winter, Dec. 1 through Jan. 15, heating demand has been well above normal and last year’s levels.

In south Georgia, for example, heating demand has ranged from 19 percent above normal in Savannah to 43 percent above normal in Alma, or 80 percent to 100 percent more than this time last year for the region.

The percentages are based on heating degree days, which reflects the amount of energy needed to heat a building to a comfortable level considering the daily outside temperature.

Across the piedmont, the demand has been 30 percent above normal for Atlanta and 25 percent above normal for Athens, or 50 percent to 60 percent more than last year for the region.

In middle Georgia, the demand has been 39 percent above normal for Columbus, 28 percent above normal for Macon and 24 percent above normal for Augusta, or 75 percent to 90 percent more than last year for the region.

For the first half of January, heating demand across the state was even greater than for the winter as a whole. This means that January heating bills are expected to be much higher than last year.

Between Jan. 1 and Jan. 15, heating demand in the piedmont has ranged from 40 percent to 50 percent above normal, or 75 percent to 100 percent more than the same period last year.

For middle Georgia, it has been 50 percent to 70 percent above normal for January so far, or 100 percent to 140 percent more than the same period last year.

For south Georgia, it has been 60 percent to 90 percent above normal, or 140 percent to 180 percent more than same period last year.

In addition to low temperatures, there is an increased risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes through the spring. Tornadoes in late January and February are not unusual in Georgia. These tornadoes can form anytime, day or night.

The current El Niño winter pattern is expected to continue through March.

Up-to-date weather information can be found online at www.georgiaweather.net.

David Emory Stooksbury is associate professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Authors:
David E. Stooksbury, Ph.D.
Experts/Sources:
David E. Stooksbury, Ph.D.
Helenedamage web CAES News
Hurricane Helene: Preliminary damage assessment on Georgia agriculture and forestry industry 10/10/24 Claire S. Kinnard, Matthew Agvent
Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, in coordination with Governor Brian P. Kemp, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the Georgia Forestry Commission, announced the preliminary estimate of Hurricane Helene’s economic impact on Georgia agriculture is $6.46 billion. This figure represents the sum of direct crop losses, losses to businesses that support agriculture and forestry, losses to workers in those related industries, and estimated recovery and restoration costs that agricultural businesses will face.
Most of Georgia’s vegetable crops are grown in the southern part of the state, which, similar to California, faces drought risks. However, as the climate warms, the area is expected to receive slightly more rainfall than usual, according to CAES economist Jeff Mullen. If vegetable production in California decreases and prices rise elsewhere, Southeast producers may consider shifting from row crop to vegetable production. CAES News
Georgia vegetable production may expand as a result of climate change 09/17/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Changing weather patterns are influencing cropping systems and where certain crops can be successfully grown. Researchers in the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences recently published a study in the journal Sustainability examining the feasibility of expanding fresh vegetable production in Georgia as increased temperatures and more frequent and extreme droughts threaten producers in the Western United States.
A new grant program focusing on preventing and reducing food loss and waste is designed to help reduce food waste in the U.S. by 50% over the next five years. CAES News
Southern SARE grant program seeks best practices on preventing food loss and waste 06/06/24 Maria M. Lameiras
A new national grant program administered by the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program will pump more than $10.2 million into research to address food loss and waste in the region. Supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the SARE Community Foods Project Food Loss and Waste Training and Technical Assistance Grants Program is seeking grant proposals from applicants working in the public sector on food loss and waste prevention.
Peach growers are looking forward to a fruitful season as the weather this winter and spring have been near-perfect for the sensitive crop. This year is projected to be a much-needed comeback from the disastrous season they experienced after a late freeze in March 2023 took out more than 90% of the state's crop. (Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA) CAES News
Growers hopeful 2024 peach season will rebound from disastrous 2023 04/10/24 Emily Cabrera
Last year, the peach industry lost $60 million due to the late freeze that hit much of the Southeast in mid-March 2023, said Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent for Peach and Taylor counties. With no freezing temperatures in the forecast and hope for strong pricing during the upcoming season, peach growers are looking forward to a much-needed rebound year.
IdaliaDamage CAES News
UGA Extension offers disaster support throughout the state 01/03/24 Emily Cabrera
Georgia’s geographic diversity — from beaches and swamps to mountains and flatlands —makes the state an attractive place to live, but each region is vulnerable to weather-related emergencies year-round. When disasters strike, navigating the milieu of steps to recover and rebuild can be difficult. With a presence in all 159 Georgia counties, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is uniquely positioned to help communities prepare for and rebound from calamity.
DW Brooks25 web CAES News
Harnessing genetics to combat climate change 11/22/23 Jordan Powers
Without direct intervention, food systems could be the largest contributor to environmental pollution by mid-century. This warning — and more importantly, the research efforts in place to make change — were highlighted in Edward Buckler’s keynote address at the 2023 D.W. Brooks Lecture and Awards. “Right now our food system is costing us more than the value we are getting out of it. This is something we need to fundamentally address,“ said Buckler, a research geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.