Interactive Maps Track Drought and More

A researcher from the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University explains how to use interactive maps to track climate change.

1 minute read

August 15, 2015, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Geoff McGhee provides insight and access to two interactive graphics that "track changes in two crucial drought indicators." The graphics, which are intended to better track climatic conditions around the West and the country, are the result of collaboration between the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University and EcoWest.

According to McGhee, the "Tracking U.S. Drought Severity" interactive map "presents weekly Drought Monitor analyses for all 50 states, going back to January 2000," and allows users to identify regional and state trends. Experts also provide analysis.

For the article, McGhee also provides his own analysis of the some of the recent trends in climate from around the country, including how storms that skipped California spent the winter hammering New England.

Friday, August 14, 2015 in National Geographic

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