Climate Variability Impact Assessment

Weather is what we face every day. Weather changes day to day and even hour to hour. Climate, on the other hand, is the average state of weather and is far more stable and predictable. But climate does change over time, with impacts measured from decades to millions of years. Changes to climate can result from internal or external Earth processes, from plate tectonics to sunlight intensity.

HDR meteorologists have developed innovative assessments of the historical impact of major climate variables such as the El Niño-Neutral-La Niña ocean temperature patterns, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation on winter snow pack and stream flow peaks and volumes. Our assessments help water suppliers understand the response of their basins to climate change and have been used in drought management planning, reservoir operation strategies and evaluating hydroelectric power generation options.

Our in-house specialists monitor national and international weather trends to assess impacts on design standards for highways, ports, dam safety and urban infrastructure. HDR has used innovative approaches to develop new design standards based on observed climate variable changes. Our expert services bring valuable insights to community planners, stormwater system operators and integrated water systems.

Understanding climate influences on long-range business plans and strategy can create an informed basis from which to pursue critical business initiatives. HDR helps clients understand these impacts with services ranging from detailed and easily understandable assessments of historical weather trends, presentation of the current state of the science of climate change, and explaining the level of credibility of any given outlook or forecast.

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