Notations From the Grid (W-End Edition): On a Window Into The Future

Please Enjoy--a focus of ours this year:

New Special Report:Innovations in Transit and Transportation

Emerging technologies have accelerated new forms of transportation in major cities across the country. While e-bikes and e-scooters have become well-recognized features of the urban landscape, other innovations in transit are on the way.

This special report takes a look at the creative projects and new approaches taken by states, cities, and counties to improve transportation networks and transit opportunities.

What's Inside This Special Report: Here Come the Electrics. Could E-Bikes Be the Electric Revolution? Electric bikes are poised to take off, even outpacing electric car adoption. But, as with all efforts to promote alternatives to driving, city leaders would need to make infrastructure changes. Moving Toward Taxing Motorists by the Mile Nevada will begin collecting odometer readings from drivers this fall, the first step of determining whether a “pay by mile” tax policy would work in the state. Scoot Aside E-Scooters, Rental Mopeds Are Zooming In Cities involved in the pilot say the mopeds will provide an environmentally-friendly and affordable option for commuters. Some are worried about the safety implications, though. Download Now

Notations From the Grid (Weekly Edition): On the Virtual Prowl @Davos

Tuesday say a clash of titans at DAVOS at President Trump decried the prophets of "Doom & Gloom" and Greta Thurnberg spoke underscoring the challenges the Earth continues to face.   As our Team continues its' yearly Prowl, we chose this from our archives to reflect about Sustainability: 

Want to hear more about driving sustainability?

We’re glad you joined us last week to hear Prof. Julia Novy-Hildesley discuss how organizations put sustainability into practice.You can now watch the full recording. If you’d like to learn more from Prof. Novy-Hildesley (along with other Stanford faculty) about leadership in sustainability, check out the Strategies for Sustainability Program.

Notations From the Grid (Weekly Edition): On #Climate

#COP25 has been going on in Spain.     We look forward to releasing comments on it as we wanted to report on this for this edition of Notations on the eve of the weekend:

Highlights From Drought and Outdoor Recreation Seminar

The outdoor industry is responsible for 2.2% of national GDP; however, projected increases in the frequency and severity of drought threatens the viability of water-based recreation businesses. NIDIS, in partnership with the University of Colorado's Master of the Environment Graduate Program, hosted a seminar on November 19 to explore the effects of uncertain snowpack levels, streamflows, and warming temperatures on outdoor recreation businesses with a focus on snow- and water-based activities (skiing, fishing, rafting, etc.).

Learn more >

FEATURED News & Updates

Indo-Pacific Ocean Warming is Altering Global Rainfall Patterns New research by NOAA shows that warming of the Indo-Pacific Ocean is altering global rainfall patterns, contributing to declines in rainfall on the US west and east coasts. The study, published in the journal Nature, reports a doubling in the size of a warm pool of water spanning the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean in recent years. The expansion is changing a key weather and climate feature called the Madden-Julian Oscillation, influencing everything from monsoons in India to heat waves and flooding in the United States. Learn more >

Drought Planning Guide Falling Dominoes: A Planner’s Guide to Drought and Cascading Impacts is now available as a free download from the American Planning Association (APA). This guide makes the case for establishing drought as a priority for local planning. Planners are central in influencing land-use patterns and helping communities guide how development and redevelopment occur. The report is a result of a collaboration between APA and the National Drought Mitigation Center, with support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Learn more >

Citizen Science Condition Monitoring Citizen scientist's knowledge about local weather can reveal much more than can be learned from recording daily rainfall alone. With all the extra eyes and ears out there, Condition Monitoring reports provide context to conditions. Learn about Condition Monitoring for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) and new regional guidance, both developed by the Carolinas Integrated Sciences & Assessments (CISA) with support from CoCoRaHS, NDMC, and NIDIS. Learn more >

FEATURED MAP + DATA National Snow Analyses

Winter is still weeks away. However, for much of the United States, it feels like it's already here with the recent cold temperatures and snowfall. The National Weather Service's National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center produces maps and offers data for snow water equivalent, snow depth, average snowpack temperatures, snow water equivalent change, snow/non-snow precipitation, snow melt, sublimation, and snow reports. Additionally, station reports and interpolated snowfall products are available. Learn more >

UPCOMING