The U.S. government has announced it will create seven 'Climate Hubs' to help farmers and those in rural regions adapt to more erratic weather as the effects of climate change become more pronounced.

Although the effects of the 'Polar Vortex', which brought snow and unprecedented cold weather to areas of the country as far south as New Mexico and Florida from the very beginning of the year, appear to have eased slightly in recent weeks, areas of the Great Plains remain in drought. Wet weather is forecast in coming weeks for some of the parched Plains and West Coast regions, but Kansas, Oklahoma and West Texas remain in a state of 'severe' to 'extreme' drought, according to the latest US Drought Monitor report, and some Western States have had less than half their average rainfall for the time of year.

The situation on the High Plains is causing concern for wheat growers.    

According to the Obama administration, the seven new Climate Hubs will relay important information to farmers on extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, forest fires and pests, which are expected to increase in severity in a changing climate.

On Wednesday morning an unnamed Whitehouse official revealed that the main Hubs would be in Ames, Iowa; Durham, New Hampshire; Raleigh, North Carolina; Fort Collins, Colorado; El Reno, Oklahoma; Corvallis, Oregon; and Las Cruces, New Mexico. There will also be a number of 'Sub-Hubs' operating in other states including California and Michigan.

The Hubs will produce assessments and forecasts, as well as providing extension services to farmers, ranchers, foresters and landowners.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is set to formally announce the policy in a Whitehouse address on Wednesday.  The government is keen to show climate change is high on its agenda, after the President made the issue a top priority for 2014.

The Hubs are the first major adaptation strategy announced this year, designed to help those at risk from climate change in the U.S., which is already having marked effects on the country. In the United States, the forest fire season is already 60 days longer than it was 30 years ago, average temperatures are rising (increasing the risk of pests and certain diseases), storms are becoming more severe (2012 was the second worst year in recorded history for extreme weather events, according to USDA) and rainfall more erratic.

Like Britain, Northeastern States are set to experience heavier, more intense rains as the effects become more pronounced, whilst those in the Southwest face the prospect of increased drought, which could threaten nut, fruit and vegetable production.   

Meanwhile in the UK, pressure is mounting on the Coalition government over its handling of flooding and extreme rainfall, as severe weather in the south shows no sign of abating. Some areas of Southern England experienced more than twice the average monthly rainfall in January and high winds and tides continue to batter the South Coast.

Since taking power, the UK government has cut spending on flood prevention and waterway maintenance from £108 million in 2010-11 to £70 million this year, and plans to oversee a further £10m reduction next year. Last month it was revealed that environment secretary Owen Paterson, who is rumoured to be a climate change denier, has presided over a 41 percent cut in spending on domestic climate change adaptation.