Midwest's Climate Future: Dry Projections and Changing Patterns

A new federal climate report suggests that dependably snowy winters may be in jeopardy due to climate change. The report projects that rising temperatures will lead to more precipitation falling as rain instead of snow, and the snowpack will stick around for a shorter period of time. This could result in decreased snowfall and snow water volume in areas that rely on it for runoff. The report also indicates that while extreme events with greater precipitation may become more common, overall precipitation totals could still decrease. These changes could disrupt water infrastructure and have implications for water availability and hydropower.