Accelerating resiliency planning in communities across the Commonwealth

Search

The Climate Explorer

Home » Community Action » The Climate Explorer

The Climate Explorer

Home » Community Action » The Climate Explorer

The Climate ExplorerThe Climate Explorer gives users a way to check how climate conditions in the United States are projected to change over the coming decades. This information—derived from global climate models—is available for counties and county-equivalents for all 50 states and U.S. territories in the United States.

Built to accompany the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit, Climate Explorer graphs projections for two possible futures: one in which humans drastically reduce and stabilize global emissions of heat-trapping gases (labeled Lower emissions, also known as RCP4.5), and one in which we continue increasing emissions through the end of the 21st century (labeled Higher emissions, also known as RCP8.5). Note that only higher emissions projections are available for Alaska. Decision makers can check climate projections based on these two plausible futures and then plan according to their tolerance for risk and the timeframe of their decisions.

For the contiguous United States, the tool also displays observations of climate variables from 1950 to 2013. Users can compare observations to modeled history (results called hindcasts, or projections generated for the past) for the same period. Checking how observations compare to modeled history provides some insight on the models’ collective ability to reproduce past conditions. For temperature-related variables, the range of observations are generally within the envelope of modeled history (hindcasts), indicating model skill in simulating observed conditions. For some variables—especially precipitation-related variables—comparing observations with hindcasts reveals limitations of the models.

Click here to view the resource.

Become a Member
Become a Sponsor
Become a Volunteer

Sign Up for E-News

Get news and notifications from Resilient Virginia.

The Resilience Calendar

  • The State of the Science Address 2025
    Date: June 3, 2025
    Location: Virtual

    The second annual State of the Science address will explore the current status of the U.S. research enterprise and strategies for navigating a rapidly changing scientific landscape.
     
    Following the address, Kelvin…

  • EPA Tools & Resources Training Webinar: Wildfire Smoke Air Monitoring Response Technology and AirNow Fire and Smoke Map
    Date: June 5, 2025
    Location: Virtual

    This webinar will showcase two tools to help state, local, and tribal air quality and public health agencies in assisting the public in getting and interpreting near real-time air quality information during wildfires and…

  • Roots & Rhythms: A Celebration of Black Farmers and Food Traditions
    Date: June 7, 2025
    Location: 3025 Frontier Rd NW, Roanoke, VA 24012, USA

    This event will be an evening of honoring the legacy of Black farmers and food traditions in the Roanoke region and beyond. This special event brings together food, film, and conversation to celebrate the…

  • RVCA Priority-Setting Workshop
    Date: June 10, 2025
    Location: Virtual

    Resilient Virginia's Priority-Setting  Workshops will bring together cross-sector folks from across central and southwest Virginia to discuss the region's goals and priorities in greater depth.

    Learn more and register

Latest News & Resources

Collaborating for a Resilient Future: RVCA Launches Priority-Setting Workshop Series in Harrisonburg

On April 8, more than two dozen professionals, extension specialists, and regional stakeholders came together at the Harrisonburg Innovation Hub to kick off the Spring 2025 Resilient Virginia Collaborative Alliance (RVCA) Priority-Setting Workshop Series. This inaugural session marked a significant step forward in building a shared vision for climate resilience across Central and Southwest Virginia.

Read More »