WEATHER THAT AFFECTS AGRICULTURE: Your food, clothing and shelter

DROUGHT

• A drought is defined as a long period without rain.

• The Dustbowl occurred between 1930-1937– Caused by a drought and

poor farming practicesKansas Farm House, 1932

TORNADOS AND EXTREME WINDS

• Tornados are violent windstorms that form funnel clouds which are destructive.

• Extreme Winds are wind storms that have high speeds.– Crops may not be

harvestable after extreme winds storms or tornados

EXTEME TEMPATURES• FREEZING

– Frost is solid water vapor that forms crystals that can vary in many forms• Tomatoes are a plant that

cannot survive being exposed to frost

• A plant that can survive a frost are radishes

• EXTERME HEAT– High temperatures that begin at

100 degrees Fahrenheit / 38 degrees Celsius• Causes plants to wither, burn

up, and die

FLOODING

• When there is to much rain, streams and rivers may overflow, which is known as flooding

• When there is to much water – Crops may die from too

much water– Crops maybe ruined and

no longer usable to feed animals or people

LIGHTNING• Lighting is produced by

electrical charges in the air and usually accompanies a thunderstorm

• Lightning may cause– Fires– Electricity going to go out

• Most farms have electrical generators that run on fuel to produce electricity in cast of power loss

HURRICANE • Hurricanes are tropical

storms that are formed over the ocean and have high winds that cause lots of damage when they make land (landfall)

• Three main crops that are in the path of hurricanes and may be damaged are– Cotton– Pineapple– Sugarcane

AFFECTS ON PRODUCERS (FARMERS)

• Farmers– Destroyed crops and

livestock means no income

– Repairing of farm buildings (expense)

– Reshaping of land (expense)

– Buying new supplies (expense)

AFFECTS ON CONSUMERS (YOU)

• You– Shortage of crops and

livestock means higher food prices at the grocery store

• Possible Environmental concerns– Soil erosion– Reduced water quality – Reduced air quality