Snow

Chicago sidewalk with brick homes in winter.

Chicago Budget Fails to Include Snow Plowing Program

Disability rights advocates say the “Plow the Sidewalks” program is a necessity for Chicagoans with limited mobility in winter months.

December 8, 2024 - Block Club Chicago

Man using snow plow during snowstorm.

Chicago Considers Sidewalk Snow Removal Pilot

The program would keep sidewalks clear of snow in areas with heavy foot traffic, but some aldermen say it would cost too much.

June 5, 2024 - NBC Chicago

Cars in the snow

Snowstorm That Stranded Thousands Prompts Questions About Auto-Centric Development

After thousands of motorists spent over a day on a snowbound Virginia highway, experts are warning that auto-centric sprawl will worsen the impacts of extreme weather events.

January 6, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

Sierra Nevada Melted

Remembering the Weather of Winters Past

The measurable effects of climate change are a tangible reminder of trends over time that otherwise can be hard to recall.

February 14, 2020 - Outside

Brookline, Massachusetts

Winter Friday Fun: A Map of the Best Sledding Spots

There's a map of Boston that points out all the best sledding spots. It seems like there are millions of kids living in other parts around the country that could benefit from a sledding map of their hometown.

December 6, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Winter Storm

Editorial: Toronto’s Snow Clearing Plan Isn’t Fair

The city’s plan for dealing with snow and ice on sidewalks this winter doesn't address past problems and won't meet the needs of residents, say critics.

November 5, 2019 - The Star

Snow bike

New Equipment and Staff for 'Non-Motorized Trail' Snow Removal Acquired in D.C.

A common wintertime compliant about snow removal for cars taking priority over bike lanes and sidewalks might be a little less common this winter.

November 20, 2018 - WTOP

Snow Removal

Minneapolis Considers Drastic Action to Clear Snow-Blocked Sidewalks

Minneapolis is stepping up enforcement of snow removal scofflaws and considering taking on the job of clearing sidewalks in the name of walkability.

November 6, 2018 - Star Tribune

Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Pittsburgh Hoping to Improve its Winter Storm Recovery Efforts

The city of Pittsburgh is responding to complaints by residents of poor road conditions after snow and ice coated the city's rad this week.

January 18, 2018 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bighorn Sheep

The 'Wide-Ranging Ecological Downside' of Road Salt

A study from the USGS using five decades of data shows salinity and alkalinity are up in waterways across the United States.

January 17, 2018 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Minneapolis

D.C.-Style Snow Disruption of Buses in Minneapolis

In a city that prides itself on toughing out cold, snowy winters, a bad delay from a few inches of snow is cause for anger and confusion.

February 9, 2017 - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Portland Snow Day

Portland Has a Bad Snow Day

Following in the footsteps of the "snowmageddon" events experienced by Atlanta in January 2014, Portland, Oregon had a surprising amount of difficulty with a small amount of snow this week.

December 15, 2016 - AP via OPB

Street Snow

Untouched Snow Reveals Street Usage

Those who promote safe streets often complain of streets that are too wide, wasting space and promoting reckless speeds. In chilly Calgary, undisturbed snow shows just how much street area is completely unused.

December 14, 2016 - Sneckdown Calgary

D.C. Metro Will Be Closed for Commuting, But Capitol Hill Will Be Open for Sledding

A large winter storm is bearing down on the East Coast, prompting advanced preparations by local officials.

January 22, 2016 - The Washington Post

Snow in Bike Lane

When Bike Lanes Get Snowed In

After heavy snow, protected bike lanes can be caught in an unfortunate position between roads and sidewalks. More public awareness may help keep them clear for winter cyclists.

January 21, 2016 - Chi.Streetsblog

Cars in the snow

It's Snowing—There's An App for Tracking That

A snow storm came through overnight, your street hasn't been cleared. When can you expect to have your street cleared? Cities are increasingly providing snowplow tracking information to residents.

January 11, 2016 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Friday Eye Candy: A Satellite View of the Country's Winter Blanket

We know not everyone is pleased with the winter right now, but there's no denying the beauty of the United States when it's covered in snow.

March 6, 2015 - New York Times

Mapped Snow Routes Reveal the Logic of Transportation Infrastructure

A side-by side-comparison of several cities’ snow routes reveals the inherent logic (or lack thereof) of their transportation infrastructure.

February 15, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

The Roots of Snowmageddon

Last week, many Atlantans were stuck in traffic overnight because of fewer than three inches of snow. What went wrong?

February 2, 2014 - Michael Lewyn

Atlanta #Snowpocalypse

The Night That Sprawl Drove Dixie Down

You can point the finger at unprepared politicians or mistaken meteorologists for paralyzing Atlanta this week. But to find the real culprits, you'll have to look at the region's history of land use and transportation decisions, argues Rebecca Burns.

January 30, 2014 - Politico Magazine

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.