Regardless of the cause, Minnesota’s climate is changing.
More frequent than average weather-related disasters in recent years.
Temperature increases, particularly due to warmer winters and higher minimum temperatures.
- Change in depth and duration of soil and lake freezing
- More rapid breakdown of crop residues
- High soil temperature leading to later application of nitrogen
- Longer frost-free growing seasons
- Change in winter survival rates of insect pests, plant diseases, and soil microbes
- Reduced energy use for heating (fewer heating degree days)
- Change in plant hardiness zones
- Increased number of freeze-thaw cycles damaging roads
- Changes in animal migration, hibernation, and foraging
- Longer exposure times to mold and allergens
More frequent periods with “tropical-like” dew points, increasing humidity and Heat Index values
- Impacts pathogen, insect, and microorganism populations
- Affects the efficacy of herbicides
- Increases water temperatures and associated algae blooms
- More heat-related health problems
- Increased stress on livestock
- Increased demand for air conditioning
More precipitation, particularly in heavy precipitation events
- 21% increase in annual precipitation above 1921-1950 period in Milan
- 25% increase in annual precipitation above 1921-1950 period in Glenwood
- More flash floods
- Top 10 flash flood years in MN from 1961-2011: 2002, 2010, 1978, 2004, 2005, 1991, 2000, 1995, 1973, 1981
- Affects irrigation, drainage, runoff, sediment, and shoreline management
- Change in storm sewer runoff patterns
- Potential increases in soil erosion
- Changes in seasonal precipitation; more precipitation in Fall and Spring seasons
Take me back to the Morris Area Climate Dialogue project page!