Mapping Virginia’s “Goldilocks” Climate Through Spatial Interpolation

This project explores the climate of Virginia through geospatial interpolation, bringing together my curiosity about weather and environmental patterns with advanced GIS analysis. Virginia is often described as a “Goldilocks” state because its climate feels balanced and comfortable, shaped by the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. These influences create clear regional contrasts, from cool mountain valleys to warm coastal plains.

To visualize these patterns, I produced statewide temperature maps for January and August using the Kriging interpolation method. Kriging allowed me to create smooth, statistically informed surfaces that highlight how winter cold settles into the western highlands while coastal areas experience milder conditions. In August, the method revealed warm pockets across the eastern region and more moderate temperatures toward the mountains.

I also generated a technical comparison using the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) method to show how different interpolation techniques affect the appearance of climate surfaces and the ranking of warmest and coolest locations. IDW produced sharper gradients and slightly more extreme values, while Kriging emphasized gradual spatial transitions. Despite their differences, both methods revealed the same overall trend: cooler conditions in the mountains and warmer temperatures along the coast.

This project reflects my interest in understanding how climate varies across landscapes and how GIS can make those patterns visible. By transforming temperature measurements into visual surfaces, I aimed to create maps that help others see the interplay between geography, weather, and everyday experience. The work showcases both analytical skill and a human centered approach to climate mapping, illustrating how data can be used to understand comfort, place, and environmental change across an entire state.