Climate and Weather

 Understanding the climate of a location is helpful in determining what might be living within a habitat, as all organisms are adapted to handle certain abiotic factors (i.e. rainfall, temperature, etc.). Understanding the historical and current climate and weather within a region can help understand why certain species might be in decline. 

Here are some helpful links to explore climate:

1. National Weather Service

    This site provides detailed climate data for the United States and can be useful in determining weather data for a region. Information on the amount of precipitation and temperature ranges can be viewed for the area around ECLP.  Here is an example for temperature ranges in 2022 when compared to the previous three decades.

2. Climate Prediction Center

    This location provides interactive maps that allow you to view predicted temperature and precipitation outlooks for locations within the United States. This can be useful to determine how current climate trends are being interpreted by the National Weather Service and when the best time for management options within ECLP. Certain options, such as prescribed burns, require specific climate conditions in order to proceed. 

3. USGS Current Water Data for Virginia  

    Provides information for the current streamflow and ground water status for sites within Virginia. This can help us predict the amount of water available within our site and how land use changes and water use is impacting the amount of available water within ECLP. Decreasing water levels can have a serious impact on species composition within our site. 

4. World Weather Information Service

    The World Meteorological Organization provides global data on current and forecasted climates. Information includes temperature, wind, and chance of precipitation. This provides an international alternative for climate prediction within our site while providing information on the average temperature and precipitation. 

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