Weather

Dry conditions have drawn down reservoirs, fueled massive wildfires and stunted crops

Shutting down the plant, which has run continuously since 1967, would squeeze already tight electricity supplies

Global warming made such an event at least 150 times more likely a new rapid analysis finds

The extreme dry conditions threaten crops and raise wildfire risks

To pin down causes of the structure's failure, investigators will probably gather its original design drawings, test its remains and run simulations of how well it could withstand forces

Moisture measured in trees, shrubs and grasses is lowest since records began in the 1970s

Blistering temperatures add to concerns of a potentially devasting wildfire season

But there is little evidence to show that the process is increasing precipitation

Meanwhile NOAA put the year just behind 2016 in the charts, but it was remarkably hot by either agency’s measure

Structures diverted the weather pattern’s floods to new farmlands 2,000 years ago

A record 30 storms have formed, compared to the previous high of 28; almost all were the earliest on record

Here are some brief reports about science and technology from all over, including one from Israel about what DNA reveals about the Dead Sea Scrolls’ parchment.