ASU School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning

Congratulations to PhD geographic information science student Sophiya Gyanwali on winning first place in the ASFPM Foundation Student Paper Competition at the Association of State Floodplain Managers Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 🏆

This national recognition is a major accomplishment at one of the leading floodplain management conferences in the U.S. Sophiya’s research examines historical urban development patterns in both FEMA-designated flood zones and areas at risk of flooding that are not formally recognized on federal flood maps.

In sun-blasted Phoenix, shade can make a real difference. ☀️

A new app created by Arizona State University researchers helps users map out the shadiest walk to their destination to help them avoid the effects of extreme heat.

Cool Routes, an online tool developed by Associate Professor Ariane Middel and colleagues in ASU’s SHaDE Lab, uses hourly weather forecasts, building data and tree canopy data to map routes with lower heat exposure.

In tests, Cool Routes identified cooler alternatives for 70% of trips and reduced heat exposure by about 4.5°F on average.

The current version covers ASU’s Tempe campus, with an open-source framework that could be adapted for other cities to support safer walking, biking and transit use in extreme heat.

Read more: news.asu.edu/20260610-environment-and-sustainability-new-cool-routes-app-maps-shadiest-routes-your-walk

Phoenix is uniquely positioned to create a dust scale because we have the data, instrumentation and storm patterns that make it possible.

Now, ASU researchers and regional partners are helping the public better understand the dangers of these storms with the new Phoenix Dust Storm (PHX-DUST) Scale.

Swipe to learn how researchers are measuring dust storm impact, why they can be dangerous and how they form. 👉

🌐 Learn more at PhoenixDust.asu.edu
🔗 Read the full story: news.asu.edu/20260601-science-and-technology-scaling-dangers-dust-storms

In a recent 12News segment, SGSUP Director David Sailor shares new research on how heat waste from data centers can drive up nearby residential power bills.

Sailor also discusses growing interest from utilities and data center companies to collaborate on mitigation solutions.

Watch here: 12news.com/article/tech/data-center-heat-waste-puts-strain-on-nearby-houses-and-drives-up-their-ac-bills-arizona-state-university-researcher-says/75-f0b47b00-dc33-45cb-a4b2-262838663900

Which class are you taking this summer at ASU's School of Geographical Sciences & Urban Planning? ☀️

📚 Explore class catalog: catalog.apps.asu.edu/catalog/classes

⏰ Session B: 7/1/2026 – 8/11/2026
⚠️ 7/2/2026 - Last Day to Enroll

What makes a dust storm a Category 1 vs. Category 5? 🌵🌬️

“If you take a breath during a Category 1 event, that would be roughly equivalent to a few hundred pieces of dust entering your lungs,” Assistant Teaching Professor Ryan Heintzman told 12News.

The Phoenix Dust Storm (PHX-DUST) Scale uses real-world environmental data, including dust concentration, wind speed, storm duration and geographic extent, to classify Phoenix-area dust storms from Category 1 to 5 after events occur.

📺 Watch here: 12news.com/article/weather/arizona-state-university-creates-new-way-to-categorize-dust-storms/75-864426da-2d6c-4433-a7d5-4a18aa52fe6e

🔗 Learn more at PhoenixDust.asu.edu

Arizona monsoon season is approaching, and researchers are launching a new way to understand dust storm severity in the Phoenix metro area.

🌵 Meet the Phoenix Dust Storm (PHX-DUST) Scale developed by ASU researchers and regional partners to classify Phoenix-area dust storms from Category 1 to 5 after events occur.

Explore the new website to view recent and historical dust storms, learn how the scale works and access the interactive dashboard: PhoenixDust.asu.edu

📸 Have recent monsoon or dust storm photos or videos? Submit them through the site for a chance to be featured.

⚠️ For real-time weather alerts and safety guidance, follow official weather updates from the National Weather Service.

🎥 Mike Olbinski

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Arizona State University ASU Knowledge Enterprise