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

Aerial view of homes on green hillsides in Daly City, California.

Depopulation Patterns Get Weird

A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.

April 10, 2024 - California Planning & Development Report

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million

Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.

April 11, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

A view straight down LaSalle Street, lined by high-rise buildings with an El line running horizontally over the street.

Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing

Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.

April 10, 2024 - Chicago Construction News

Texas Bike Lane

Houston Mayor Pauses Complete Streets Projects

The move raises concerns among road safety advocates who point out that traffic deaths continue to rise.

56 minutes ago - Governing

Yellow and silver Metro Transit light rail train pulling into outdoor station in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Twin Cities Trains Move to Fewer Cars, Higher Frequency

Headways will drop from 15 minutes to 12 minutes.

1 hour ago - Axios

Close-up of red Capital Bikeshare bikes with Washington Monument in background.

DC Bikeshare System Breaks Ridership Record

Capital Bikeshare users took over 20,000 rides on one day in March.

3 hours ago - DC News Now

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.