On the flip-side of the polar vortex in the climate news department, drought conditions are worsening across the country. In much of the West, the drought means water supply challenges and a growing threat of fire.
"Fully half of the mainland United States is now facing drier-than-usual conditions, with 15 percent of the country experiencing "extreme" to "exceptional" drought," reports Brad Plummer. The article pulls a bunch of infographics from the most recent National Drought Monitor report, released by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The article focuses in particular on California, which is now completely in the grips of what could be a record drought—on a 500-year scale. According to Plummer's report, "every single part of California is now facing 'severe,' 'extreme,' or 'exceptional' drought — the first time that's happened in the monitor's 15-year history."
It's likely that the state's dry conditions are contributing to the early arrival of wildfires, which are currently burning and threatening homes in San Diego County. Plummer's post details the higher risk of wildfire across the West, including Arizona, New Mexico, and Alaska.
A separate post on the NASA Earth Observatory site also shares a bit of insight into the drought conditions in Oklahoma and Texas, which are facing a drought lasting four years.
FULL STORY: Five horrifying maps of America's massive drought

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie