It's the new (climate) normal!
Sun, Mar 20, 2022
Climate normals are 30-year averages of weather data that provide a baseline to compare current weather. NOAA recently updated this average to the most recent 3 decades - what does this mean for our maps of spring?
Normals are long-term average climate products - they exist so we can compare today's weather to the long term average - for example, to find out if this January is colder than "normal." Since temperatures have been rising decade by decade, the period of comparison matters in showing the difference between current conditions and “normal.”
2022 Heat Accumulation vs. Rodent Prognostication
Wed, Feb 02, 2022
Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter! However, our maps of heat accumulation provide a more scientific look at how much heat has accumulated so far this year, and what's next.
Fall 2021 leaf out and flowering in lilacs
Tue, Nov 16, 2021
Some of our Nature' Notebook observers are reporting late season leaf out and flowering in lilacs this year. How uncommon is this late season phenology? Not too unusual, as the map shows.
2021 Heat Accumulation vs Rodent Prognostication
Tue, Feb 02, 2021
Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter! However, our maps of heat accumulation provide a more scientific look at how much heat has accumulated so far this year, and what's next.
Unusual Bloom Timing in Fall 2020
Fri, Dec 18, 2020
Nature's Notebook observers reported some oddly-timed flowering for species across the country this fall.
Fall colors in maples, oaks and poplars across the US in 2020
Mon, Sep 21, 2020
Hundreds of Nature's Notebook observers across the country are tracking the fall leaf color of plants including maples, oaks, and poplars. On our map below, you can see that while there is a range in the start of fall leaf color in all regions this year.
