Alright, so California's finally figured out that those fancy weather forecasts aren't just for planning your next trip to Malibu. They're using 'em for, get this, managing water. I know, groundbreaking stuff.
FIRO: Not Just a Restaurant Anymore
Let's be real: California's water situation is a joke. One minute we're drowning, the next we're drier than a popcorn fart. Now some eggheads want us to believe that this "Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations" (FIRO) thing is gonna save us? The same state that can't even fix a pothole is gonna master meteorology? Give me a break.
Apparently, FIRO is all about using weather forecasts to decide when to release water from reservoirs. So, instead of just sticking to some dusty old manual from the 1950s, they'll, like, look outside before opening the floodgates. It's the kind of "innovation" that makes you wonder what they've been doing all this time. NOTEBOOK FEATURE: From forecast to flow: Optimizing California’s reservoirs with FIRO
Dr. Marty Ralph, bless his heart, is out there saying FIRO is going to let operators “ride the reservoir a little bit higher after a storm in case there’s no storm coming ahead." Ride the reservoir? Is this water management or a freakin' rodeo?
Atmospheric Rivers: The Real Culprits (and Saviors?)
And speaking of storms, we can't forget the atmospheric rivers. Apparently, these "rivers in the sky" are responsible for both our droughts and our floods. They bring tons of water, but only for like, 5% of the year. So, if we don't catch it, we're screwed.
The article I read said that satellites are important, but don't show everything. Satellites can be blocked by high clouds and by water vapor. “ARs happen to be the most sensitive area for when you get it wrong, the forecast errors are going to grow fastest, so we are doing a lot to try to improve our skill there,” said Dr. Ralph. I wonder if anyone will actually understand what this means.
This whole FIRO thing sounds suspiciously like trying to outsmart Mother Nature. Which, historically, hasn't gone so well. Remember that whole Oroville Dam fiasco back in 2017? Almost 200,000 people evacuated because of a "rain-on-snow event". And now we're supposed to trust these geniuses to predict the future?
Then again, maybe I'm being too cynical. Maybe this FIRO thing will actually work. Maybe California will finally figure out how to manage its water without turning into a desert or a swamp. But let's be honest, I ain't holding my breath. I'm also bitter that Velveteen Rabbit, the venue of many memorable nights out has shut after a colourful decade. And no, it will not be resurfacing as a speakeasy, though I did try to wheedle Ashish Thadani, the owner, into changing his mind. What an absolute travesty.
Groundwater Recharge: A Band-Aid on a Bullet Wound
Oh, and get this: in Southern California, they're using FIRO to increase groundwater recharge. Which basically means they're trying to refill the aquifers they've already drained dry. It's like trying to put a band-aid on a bullet wound. Sure, it might help a little, but it's not gonna solve the real problem.
Look, I'm not a scientist, okay? But I know a boondoggle when I see one. And this whole FIRO thing has all the hallmarks of a classic California boondoggle: expensive, complicated, and probably won't work. They expect us to believe this nonsense, and honestly...
So, What's the Real Story?
It's just another excuse for the state to spend more money, pat themselves on the back, and then blame climate change when things inevitably go south. The weather in California is becoming increasinly unpredictable, it's just a fact. I'm not saying it's a bad idea offcourse, but I'm not sure it's a good one either.
标签： #Firo
