The University of Virginia Climatology Office is a research and service unit of the University of Virginia, in the Department of Environmental Sciences.  We serve government, educational, industry, media, and individual clients with information on the impact of weather and climate on economic and ecologic systems.

Summertime Heat & Humidity

As anyone who has spent a summer in Virginia knows, the heat and humidity can conspire to make for a truly miserable experience.  The Heat Index (see chart below) has been created to combine the effects into the temperature that it really "feels like."

When the Heat Index is high, the heat and humidity can seriously interfere with the body's ability to cool itself through the evaporation of perspiration.  This can be a serious health hazard or even prove fatal.  As the Index climbs, so do the risks.

More information on the Heat Index and Heat-Related Illness

2009 Hurricane Season Forecast

The team at Colorado State University has released its forecast for the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which began on June 1st.  It calls for slightly below average tropical cyclone activity this year.

Named Storms are those which generate sustained wind speeds of at least 39 mph (Tropical Storm force).  Hurricanes have speeds of 74 mph or more.  A Major Hurricane is one reaching Category 3,4, or 5, having winds of 111 mph or greater.

Major reasons for the lower than average forecast this year are the prospect for weak El Niño conditions as the hurricane season progresses, cooler surface water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and a stronger Azores High (which is connected to stronger Trade Winds).  These factors are all linked to decreased tropical cyclone activity.

Active and inactive hurricane periods, generally lasting about two or three decades, have occurred for over 100 years.  (Hence the mouthful: Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, or AMO.)  Since 1995, we've been in a period of generally increased tropical activity.  Even if this year turns out to be a hurricane "dud," it doesn't mean that this more active hurricane era is over.  There are good reasons to suspect that it'll last another 10-15 years.

Current Moisture Information

Drought Monitoring Task Force Reports

U.S. Drought Monitor

USGS  Current Streamflow Conditions

USGS  Current Groundwater Conditions

Climate Monitoring

Image Courtesy:  US National Center for Environmental Prediction

Keep track of the latest in climatic conditions, trends and forecasts.

Medium- to Long-Range Outlook

U.S. Monthly "Climate at a Glance"

Global Monthly Historical Perspective

Southern Oscillation (El Niño/La Niña)