05.20.2024

Today’s Forecast

79º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:21 a.m. | Sunset 8:32 p.m.

Climate data in action

Data in action at the NCEI headquarters

The federal building on Patton Avenue in downtown Asheville

Asheville has been a climate hub since the National Weather Records Center was established here in 1951. | Photo by AVLtoday

Several months ago, we wrote about an $85 million investment for a new climate data program. The program, called Industry Proving Grounds (IPG), is led by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) — whose headquarters sits on Patton Avenue in downtown Asheville.

Turns out — many folks didn’t know that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s NCEI is overseen from our little mountain town. So we sat down with Mike Brewer, Chief of the Climate Information Services Branch, to dive deeper into what goes on behind the concrete walls of the Veach-Baley Federal Complex.

A satellite image of the worldwide auroras in May 2024 — NCEI climate data can be used in sectors from agriculture to retail.
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Photo via @noaasatellites

Inside the NCEI

When you step beyond the towering atrium, the NCEI halls look just like any other government office (City Editor Molly here — I’ll admit, I was hoping for the giant computer screens and flashing control panels à la “Apollo 13"). However, past those gray doors sit climate scientists, meteorologists, geophysicists, and oceanographers, not to mention the NCEI director + deputy director, administrative services, the IT department, and historical archivists.

Broadly, the job of NCEI is to collect environmental data — from the ocean floor to the surface of the sun and everything in between — and make it accessible to individuals, businesses, and organizations for free.

Fun fact(s): When Jason Boyer gets on TV for the WLOS weather segment, the climate normals he presents with the forecast are all produced in-house by NCEI. The data that informs USDA drought disaster declarations + aid for farmers is from the NCEI. The National Climate Assessment, which is released every four years on behalf of the US Government and becomes part of an international report, is created by a unit that was a floor up from where we were sitting for this interview. There’s a lot going on in there.

“Our city probably has one of the largest, if not the largest, accumulation of climate expertise in the world,” Brewer said. “The people who live here and work here are climate rockstars.”

What that data does

Asked

How much data does NCEI archive each month?

A. 64 terabytes
B. 107 terabytes
C. 179 terabytes
D. 229 terabytes

A numbers game

Events

Monday, May 20

“Stand By For Failure” Screening | Monday, May 20 | 7 p.m. | Grail Moviehouse, 45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville | $15 | Settle in for a screening of Negativland’s ordinary + extraordinary visual collage, then stay for a discussion with the band.
Noah Kahan | Monday, May 20, Wednesday, May 22 | 8 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St., Asheville | Grab one of the few tickets left for the folk-pop star’s “We’ll All Be Here Forever” tour.

Tuesday, May 21

Community Farm Volunteer Workday | Tuesday, May 21 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | SAHC Community Farm, 228 Mag Sluder Rd., Alexander | Free | Register to plant trees and cover crops for Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s new food forest.
Wise Words Open Mic | Tuesday, May 21 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville | Free | Express yourself artistically — stories, songs, poems, or just creative articulation.

Wednesday, May 22

Citizen Swing | Wednesday, May 22 | 6 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville | Free | Help say a harmonious farewell to Citizen Swing curator Connor Law before he moves to California.

Thursday, May 23

Moogseum Celebrates Five Years | Thursday, May 23 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Moogseum, 56 Broadway St., Asheville | $11.75-$20 | Join a special guided tour with Michelle Moog-Koussa and explore updated exhibits.

Friday, May 24

Summer Skate Jam | Friday, May 24 | 6-9 p.m. | Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | Free | Show off your skating skills and jam to the music — skates are available for rent if you don’t have your own.

Saturday, May 25

Greenville Scottish Games | Saturday, May 25 | 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. | Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville | $10-$25 | Celebrate Scottish heritage with Celtic music, food, bagpipes, kid activities, + heavy athletics. Or start the holiday weekend early at the Great Scot Parade, Friday, 6 p.m. on Greenville’s Main St.*

Saturday, June 29

Highland Brewing’s 10th Annual Night Flight Race | Saturday, June 29 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | $35-$40 | Gear up with your favorite fairy wings or aviator jacket for this beloved flight-themed summer race.*

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News Notes

Eat

Prepare your palate — the James Beard Foundation announced Taste America is returning to Asheville on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Chef Silver Iocovizzi of Neng Jr.’s and Chef Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani will team up for an intimate, multi-course meal at Chai Pani. Reserve your tickets.

Biz

Hive Ambition, a company working to support and educate WNC women in business, launched its online platform today. The platform allows community members to network, and the company will host virtual workshops + monthly in-person meetups.

Festival

The Asheville Burlesque and Sideshow Festival is ready to take over venues across the city. From Thursday, May 23 to Sunday, May 26, catch immersive performances, acrobatic workshops, carnival history talks, and a debaucherous brunch (if you want to know what the last one means, you’ll have to go).

Regional

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is expanding its adaptive ranger-led programs. Starting with an overnight camping trip Saturday, June 8 through Sunday, June 9, the new programs will use assistive technology, offering visitors of all abilities the chance to learn about the natural world up close. See the full schedule.

Development

The 80-room Tru by Hilton hotel was approved by the City of Asheville Design Review Committee. According to Principal Planner Will Palmquist, this hotel — proposed for 375 Long Shoals Rd. in South Asheville — is the first the committee reviewed outside the downtown and River Arts District hotel overlays. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Cause

Asheville Proper is putting your tastebuds to good use. This Thursday, May 23, the restaurant is hosting a fundraiser for Black Mountain Home, which cares for underprivileged and at-risk children. During regular dinner service, 50% of proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit’s new bedroom furniture fund. Reservations are recommended.

Concert

Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack is launching its summer Wings and Strings live music series this Thursday, May 23. Don’t wait in the wings — head to the Sweeten Creek location every Thursday through Sept. 12 to take in acoustic tunes while you chow down.

Drink

One coffee, with a splash of adventure. Well Played Board Game Cafe isn’t just for finding your new favorite game among their library of 700+ options. Their all-day menu features local coffee + espresso, breakfast sandwiches, craft cocktails, and a whole lot more. Swing by for a sip.*

Home

You deserve beautiful, energy-efficient windows and doors. Renewal by Andersen^® is offering buy one, get one 40% off + $200 off your order for a limited time.*

The Buy

Group A, The Buy 5.20.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

An excellent summer hydration bottle: Hydro Flask’s 32-oz. stainless bottle with a flex straw lid. Color “Sugar Crush” is only available for a limited time, and it’s so cute and summery, we’ve got all the heart eyes for it.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

As of my first Montford Park Players rehearsal last Saturday, I’m officially part of Asheville’s theater scene. So even though I’ve shared iterations of this Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective show with you before — this time, I share it with more theatrical authority. The next ?They Said What? game show will bring two local nonprofits together for a lively competition, asking reigning champ HART Theatre to defend its title against PEAK Academy of Asheville. Support the organizations during a night of interactive entertainment on Thursday, May 23.

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