Virginia Climate Center

The Virginia Climate Center at George Mason University.

Read the First Virginia Climate Assessment:

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

The First Virginia Climate Assessment (VCA) is here!
🌱

After months of hard work, collaboration, and anticipation, the Virginia Climate Center is thrilled to announce the release of the first ever Virginia Climate Assessment (VCA).

Read the VCA at the link in our bio 🔗

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

Read the latest blog post to learn more about what to expect this season in Virginia and how to keep yourself and loved ones safe:
https://t.co/9EA3vXi4TW

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

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.

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

Extreme heat is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities each year.

Last summer, the Virginia Department of Health reported the highest spike in heat-related illnesses across the Commonwealth since recording started in 2015.

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

#HeatSafetyWeek

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Know the early warning signs to keep yourself and those around you safe this summer. ⬇️

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

Find your local cooling center here: https://t.co/LFW9EMBibZ

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

#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 illness

Many localities across VA open cooling centers during heatwaves to provide a cool resting place for all who need it

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

🤝 Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you
🚗 Never leave children or pets in cars
📰 Check the local news for health and safety updates

Stay tuned for more heat safety tips throughout the week!

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

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:

👇

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

💧 Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty
🏃‍ Schedule outdoor activities carefully
👕 Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen
🚿 Take cool showers or baths to cool down

👇

[FairfaxCounty Health @fairfaxhealth]

From extreme heat to flooding, climate hazards affect everyone in the Fairfax Health District. Our new Climate Health webpage provides information on these hazards, how they can impact your health, and the steps you can take to stay safe. Learn more: https://t.co/0edM3fMp0V

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

This risk is not distributed evenly, though. Populations such as the elderly, outdoor workers, transit riders, and the unhoused are particularly susceptible to the dangers of extreme heat.

Learn more about heat risk in Virginia:

https://t.co/CLnOYkM9A7

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

Did you know? 🥵

Heat risk is on the rise in VA, 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. ⬇️

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

Downpours tend to cause dangerous flooding as stormwater infrastructure can become overwhelmed and soil can struggle to absorb vast amounts of water

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

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, as visualized by @ClimateCentral, experienced a 27% rise in rainfall intensity since 1970

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

New from the Virginia Climate Voices Blog:

Are VA's winters getting warmer, colder, or weirder? ❄️

The fierce '25-'26 winter may have many thinking colder, but the data paints a more complex picture

Read the latest blog post by VCC expert @Lortizuriarte https://t.co/2Bgq5xeFog

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

Did you know?🤔⚡

Extreme weather is leading to more frequent power outages in VA.

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:
https://t.co/CLnOYkM9A7

[L. Ortiz Uriarte @Lortizuriarte]

The Virginia Climate Center is building the infrastructure to provide climate services to the entire Commonwealth. From flood mapping along the bay to creating the First Virginia Climate Assessment, our mission is to assist communities with the best science available.

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

This #GeorgeMasonGivingDay, your support will empower us to continue & grow our efforts to aid VA local/state governments, communities, & small businesses with climate resilience decision-making
Learn more about the VCC: https://t.co/9vJzAtyC5D
Give: https://t.co/vEI717bB4S 💚 💛

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

Since its creation in 2022, the VCC has been helping communities across VA meet their climate challenges 🌱

Our students, faculty, & staff deliver climate data & insights: from the First Virginia Climate Assessment to codeveloping solutions for dangerous flooding & extreme heat.

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

Read the First Virginia Climate Assessment here: https://t.co/q5ES3kTNTY

[Virginia Climate Center @VirginiaClimate]

Did you know? 🤔✒️

Authors of the Virginia Climate Assessment used weather 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.