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Virginia Climate Center

@virginiaclimate.bsky.social
93 followers 73 following 118 posts

George Mason University's Virginia Climate Center is an extension service dedicated to improving resilience to climate change in Commonwealth communities. Learn more about us: www.vaclimate.gmu.edu.

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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
New from the Virginia Climate Voices Blog: Let's clear the air, literally. PhD student Dinesh Neupane & Dr. Lucas Henneman discuss their research findings & answer the question - does rain really help to clear the air of wildfire haze? 🌫️ 🔥 www.vaclimate.gmu.edu/blog/does-rain-mitigate-wildfire-haze
vaclimate.gmu.edu
Clearing the air - Does rain really help to mitigate wildfire haze? — Virginia Climate Center
PhD student Dinesh Neupane and Dr. Lucas Henneman explore the results of their research answering the question - does rain really help to clear wildfire smoke from the air?
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Sean Sublette @subletteweather.com · 21/08/2026
Good essay from @cardinalnews.org on what the new @virginiaclimate.bsky.social will be doing at George Mason University. One example — providing environmental data to empower better decision making by lawmakers and stakeholders across all of Virginia's cities and counties.
cardinalnews.org
Virginia has a new climate office. It’s at George Mason University. Here’s what it does.
The researchers running the office plan to partner with Virginia Tech and other state universities, and to work with state agencies and business groups, partly those in agriculture.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
What do Virginia's farmers, state agencies, and city mayors all have in common? Weather and climate data! 📈 That's where the Virginia State Climate Office (VaSCO) comes in. Read more from the most recent article by Cardinal News below 👇 cardinalnews.org/2026/08/21/v...
cardinalnews.org
Virginia has a new climate office. It’s at George Mason University. Here’s what it does.
The researchers running the office plan to partner with Virginia Tech and other state universities, and to work with state agencies and business groups, partly those in agriculture.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
New from the Virginia Climate Voices Blog: Shark Week Edition 🦈 Shark conservation advocate and biomedical engineer Paige Epler discusses the unknown protector of Virginia's climate - the shark! Read the latest blog post here: www.vaclimate.gmu.edu/blog/how-vir...
vaclimate.gmu.edu
An unexpected hero: how Virginia’s endangered shark species help protect our climate — Virginia Climate Center
Shark conservation advocate and biomedical engineer Paige Epler discusses the hidden climate benefits of Virginia’s shark species.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Yesterday, while our collaborators at Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and volunteers were out collecting heat data across Northern VA, some of us here at the VCC were collecting data around the George Mason University Mason Square campus in Arlington. 🌡️
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Data collection has commenced! Watch as our collaborators at Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions are joined by ABC7 during this morning's data collection route 🚗 🌡️ www.youtube.com/shorts/h1rTz...
youtube.com
Mapping Northern Virginia's dangerous heat islands
YouTube video by ABC 7 News - WJLA
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Data collection starts this Thursday July 16! 🌡️ ☀️
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
We're happy to serve our fellow Virginians! 🌱
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Luis E. Ortiz @lortizuriarte.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
The cat's out of the bag! We've been working for years to re-establishment the State Climate Office at the @virginiaclimate.bsky.social and now we have an official mandate to continue and extend the task of arming Virginia with you to date weather and climate science.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Big news: The Virginia Climate Center will be hosting the newly revived Virginia State Climate Office! 👏 We look forward to providing Virginians with a long awaited, centralized weather and climate resource that promotes the resiliency of our Commonwealth. richmond.com/news/state-r...
richmond.com
Va. creates State Climate Office at George Mason University
Mapping heat and flood risks part of mission at State Climate Office at George Mason University under budget that took effect this week.
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Luis E. Ortiz @lortizuriarte.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Jefferson's weather measurements were very impressive! We write about them in the Virginia Climate Assessment (www.vaclimate.gmu.edu/virginia-cli...) and there's even enough observations there to draw a rough climatology of his time at Monticello, in spite of gaps. @virginiaclimate.bsky.social
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Many localities across the Commonwealth open cooling centers during times of extreme heat. If you or someone you know needs relief from the current heatwave, the link below provides locations & contact information for places offering an air-conditioned place to cool off and rest.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
The heat index will be reaching 110° or more in many parts of VA this week, even the holiday weekend. This combined intense heat and humidity spells dangerous conditions, especially for those who are at particular risk. 🔽
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Virginia will be experiencing a strong heatwave this week with real feel temps of over 100°. Brush up on how to spot heat illness in yourself & others. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and knowing the early warning signs can be lifesaving.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Announcing the Summer 2026 Northern Virginia Heat Data Collection Campaign! 🌡️ This summer, the VCC will collect & analyze hundreds of thousands of temperature & humidity data points taken across Northern Virginia in collaboration with the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions. Learn more:
vaclimate.gmu.edu
Summer 2026 Northern Virginia Heat Data Collection Campaign — Virginia Climate Center
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
We joined the We're Good podcast to discuss VCC's collaborations with Virginia communities that confront and enhance their resiliency to pressing climate challenges. Listen to @lortizuriarte.bsky.social's episode here 🎙️: weregood.net/podcast/ep39...
weregood.net
Episode 39: Meet Who Is Quietly Changing Northern Virginia | We're Good
At this year’s Community Foundation for Northern Virginia's Impact Celebration, We're Good Podcast host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee uncovers extraordinary stories hidden in plain sight. Meet dono...
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
#ShowYourStripes, Virginia! The warming stripes below show that the Commonwealth is heating up, with 2024 being our hottest on record. Take a look at what the warming stripes in your Virginia city or county look like from @climatecentral.org: app.climatecentral.org/dataviz/warm...
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
New from the Virginia Climate Voices Blog 🦟 Could the winter's biting cold lead to more biting insects? Experts Dr. Amira Roess, Dr. Benjamin Cash, and Dr. Holly Gaff discuss how the past winter's cold spell could mean more tick and mosquito activity this summer.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
#HeatSafetyWeek Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Know the early warning signs to keep yourself and those around you safe this summer. ⬇️
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
#HeatSafetyWeek Do you know where to go if you need to cool down on hot days? 🌬️ Air-conditioning availability is vital to staying safe from heat-related illnesses. Many localities across Virginia open cooling centers during heatwaves to provide a cool resting place for all who need it.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
It's #HeatSafetyWeek, Virginia! The current heatwave is a sneak peek into what summer has in store, so now is the time for a heat safety refresher. During a heatwave: 👇
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Did you know? 🥵 Heat risk is on the rise in Virginia, leading to significant health impacts & healthcare costs. Extreme heat is often accompanied by high humidity, making it hard for humans to expel heat through sweating & increasing the chances of hospitalization & mortality. ⬇️
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
When it rains, it pours ⛈️ The Virginia Climate Assessment found that heavy precipitation events are becoming more frequent and intense, especially in VA's urban & coastal areas. Norfolk among them, as visualized by @climatecentral.org, experienced a 27% rise in rainfall intensity since 1970.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
New from the Virginia Climate Voices Blog: Are Virginia's winters getting warmer, colder, or weirder? ❄️ The fierce 2025-2026 winter may have many thinking colder, but the data paints a more complex picture. Read the latest blog post by VCC expert @lortizuriarte.bsky.social:
vaclimate.gmu.edu
Winters in Virginia - Warmer, colder, or weirder? — Virginia Climate Center
VCC expert Dr. Luis E. Ortiz explores the ferocity of the 2025-2026 winter and what we expect future Virginia winters to look like.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Did you know?🤔⚡ Extreme weather is leading to more frequent power outages in Virginia. As severe weather intensifies, VA’s aging electric grid is increasingly vulnerable to failures that have cascading effects on our most vital infrastructure. Learn more: www.vaclimate.gmu.edu/virginia-cli...
vaclimate.gmu.edu
Chapters — Virginia Climate Center
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Luis E. Ortiz @lortizuriarte.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
The Virginia Climate Center is building the infrastructure to provide climate services to the entire Commonwealth. From flood mapping along the bay and measuring urban heat to creating the Virginia Climate Assessment, our mission is to assist communities with the best data and science available.
rb.gy
Give Online Today
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Since its creation in 2022, the VCC has been helping communities across Virginia meet their climate challenges. 🌱 Our students, faculty, & staff deliver climate data & resilience insights: from the First Virginia Climate Assessment to codeveloping solutions for dangerous flooding & extreme heat.
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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 27/03/2026
Virginia’s Highland County saw one of the worst syrup seasons in recent memory. A January ice storm and unseasonable March warmth disrupted conditions needed for sap collection. The consequences could be existential for producers. wapo.st/3NgNZrS
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Did you know? 🤔✒️ Authors of the Virginia Climate Assessment used weather and climate data recorded by Thomas Jefferson to complete their assessment. His records, including measurements of things like temperature and wind, helped researchers to compare current & past climate conditions.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
New from the Virginia Climate Voices Blog: Drought is becoming an increasing concern in Virginia - but it doesn't just impact agriculture. Water resources expert Dr. Corinne Bowers explores how drought can have underlying consequences for Virginia's economy🚱🪙 www.vaclimate.gmu.edu/blog/drought...
vaclimate.gmu.edu
It’s not just farms - Examples of drought impacts across Virginia’s economy — Virginia Climate Center
How does drought influence Virginia’s economy? Dr. Corinne Bowers investigates the rising impacts of drought on various economic sectors vital to the Commonwealth’s prosperity.
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Ed Maibach @maibached.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Hazzah, Virginia. @cleanvirginia.org @vacleancities.bsky.social @virginiaclinicians.bsky.social @virginiaclimate.bsky.social @mason4c.bsky.social @chesapeakeclimate.bsky.social @chesapeakebayfdn.bsky.social
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Join VCC Director Jim Kinter & College of Science Dean Cody Edwards for a discussion on Virginia's Inaugural Climate Assessment as part of the Mason Science Series. When: Tues, March 24th 3:30-6pm Where: Country Club of Fairfax Register to attend: science.gmu.edu/UpcomingMSS See you there! 👀
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Did you know? 🤔🚱 Drought is the second most expensive disaster in Virginia, and it is becoming an increasing concern for much of the Commonwealth. Warming temperatures & inconsistent rainfall are leading to more frequent, short-term droughts, particularly in Western & Northern VA.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Extreme heat can mean extreme problems for agriculture in Virginia. 🐮 Check out this interview with Dr. MB Mitcham on how heat impacts our crops, livestock, and farmers: www.wvtf.org/2026-02-27/e...
wvtf.org
Extreme heat and its impact on Virginia's food cycle
Spring is right around the corner – which means many farmers across the Commonwealth are hard at work preparing for the growing season.They’re doing that with the ever-growing impact of a warming clim...
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
New from the Virginia Climate Voices Blog: Public health expert Dr. MB Mitcham discusses climate impacts on agriculture, crop yields, supply chains, food access, & human labor 🧺 🌾 Read about the climate signal found in our food systems: www.vaclimate.gmu.edu/blog/climate-signal-food-systems
vaclimate.gmu.edu
From farm to table - The climate signal showing up in our food systems — Virginia Climate Center
Public health expert Dr. MB Mitcham discusses climate impacts on agriculture, crop yields, supply chains, food access, and human labor.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Did you know?🤔 Coastal Virginia is experiencing sea level rise at a faster rate than average 🌊 Some parts of the coast even experience rates 2x that of the global average due to land sinkage Learn more about sea level rise from the VA Climate Assessment: www.vaclimate.gmu.edu/virginia-cli...
vaclimate.gmu.edu
Chapters — Virginia Climate Center
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Calling all climate & earth systems grad students at George Mason University and beyond! Submit your abstract to the 2026 Earth System Observations & Modeling Graduate Symposium to share your research with the community, network with professionals, and explore career pathways.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Join VCC Director Dr. Jim Kinter and Act for Climate Today! to discuss key findings of the First Virginia Climate Assessment and implications for the Northern Virginia region. us02web.zoom.us/j/8379221329...
us02web.zoom.us
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
New research out of the VCC 💡 What are the health implications of Virginia's growing data center industry? Our experts examined Virginia's Data Center Alley, the world's largest concentrated data center hub, and its associated health risks. Read more: www.frontiersin.org/journals/cli...
frontiersin.org
Frontiers | Health implications of the rapid rise of data centers in Virginia: an exploratory assessment
Driven by advances in cloud computing, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence, the rapid proliferation of data centers may pose severe human and planeta...
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Ed Maibach @maibached.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Many of the costs of climate change are hard to notice. New research revealed one of those costs that many people will care deeply about: Climate change has already made the United States poorer. @mason4c.bsky.social @docsforclimate.bsky.social @virginiaclimate.bsky.social
pnas.org
Climate change has already made the United States poorer | PNAS
The climate is already changing. The present study shows that these changes have already affected the U.S. economy. It develops a formal framework ...
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Ed Maibach @maibached.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Do data centers harm people's health? Given the proliferation of data centers across VA, the US & world, it's an important yet unanswered question. In this paper, @ngour.bsky.social, @lortizuriarte.bsky.social & I examine the possibilities. @docsforclimate.bsky.social @georgemasonu.bsky.social
frontiersin.org
Frontiers | Health implications of the rapid rise of data centers in Virginia: an exploratory assessment
Driven by advances in cloud computing, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence, the rapid proliferation of data centers may pose severe human and planeta...
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
It's going to be a frigid (and potentially snowy) weekend, Virginia! 🥶 Here's some tips on how to prepare for the winter weather:
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
2025 was Earth's 3rd warmest year on record, and the US's 4th warmest year 🥵 How does Virginia compare? 2025 was not as warm as 2024 (Virginia's warmest year to date) but it was still warmer than average, 1.7°F warmer to be exact. This makes 2025 Virginia's 20th warmest year on record.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Unlock insights on Virginia's climate challenges 💡 Have you read the Virginia Climate Assessment yet? Now's the time! Start 2026 ready to take on climate resilience in your community with insights into Virginia's top climate challenges. Read the VCA: www.vaclimate.gmu.edu/virginia-cli...
vaclimate.gmu.edu
The Virginia Climate Assessment — Virginia Climate Center
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Ed Maibach @maibached.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Worth repeating: “More disasters are coming, and states will bear more of the burden. But by preparing and adapting our homes and communities year-round for the storms to come, every state can build a more resilient future.” @virginiaclimate.bsky.social @docsforclimate.bsky.social
nytimes.com
Opinion | America Needs to Weatherproof Its Homes. Badly.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Which communities of practice engage most with climate change in Virginia? Which are best suited to be effective climate communicators? 💭 Read the new study by @mason4c.bsky.social: rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Professional Engagement With Climate Change Among Five Communities of Practice in Virginia, USA: An Exploratory Study
Municipalities across the United States and the world face profound climate adaptation and mitigation challenges. To assess current engagement and future potential of various professional communities...
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Ed Maibach @maibached.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Our most recently published study strongly suggests that fire chiefs and emergency managers are trusted community members who, with a bit of support, can be activated as locally-relevant climate communicators. @mason4c.bsky.social @virginiaclimate.bsky.social @virginiaclinicians.bsky.social
rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
If you're at AGU this week, stop by and say hi to the VCC team! 👋 Poster Session - Heat exposure of transit users in the three largest metro systems in the US Tuesday 12/16, 8:30am-12:00pm More info: agu.confex.com/agu/agu25/me... More 👇
agu.confex.com
Heat exposure of transit users in the three largest metro systems in the US
Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States, thou...
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Luis E. Ortiz @lortizuriarte.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
The data center capital of the world is literally George Mason's backyard! We have an opportunity to not only take stock of the benefits this critical infrastructure provide us but how its negative impacts overlap with a changing climate.
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Virginia Climate Center @virginiaclimate.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Virginia is a major internet hub, supported by data centers across the state. 🖥️️ However, shifting drought conditions could threaten water availability and reduce economic output. VCA author @lortizuriarte.bsky.social and meteorologist Nick Gilmore discuss the impacts: www.wvtf.org/2025-12-02/t...
wvtf.org
The first Virginia Climate Assessment: a warmer and wetter Commonwealth
Last month, the Virginia Climate Center at George Mason University released “the Commonwealth’s first comprehensive, science-based evaluation of how past, current and anticipated climate conditions ha...
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