Minnesota’s climate is expected to undergo significant changes by the middle of the century. According to projections, the northern regions of the state could see up to 25 fewer days with temperatures below freezing, while the southern areas could experience up to 25 additional days with temperatures above 90 degrees. As we prepare for the future, it is crucial for communities to have access to locally specific information on temperature, precipitation, and other variables in order to understand and prepare for potential impacts.
To address this need, the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership has recently released top-line summaries of climate change for nine different regions in the state. These summaries utilize data from a climate mapping and analysis tool that was launched earlier this year. “Our goal is to provide not only local climate projections, but also key impacts on sectors such as agriculture and tourism,” explains Nate Meyer, the partnership’s interim director.
For instance, the partnership has examined how rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns will affect important species like walleye and moose, as well as various crops and popular recreational activities. “The changes in our climate will have significant consequences on our work, as well as winter and summer activities like skiing and snowmobiling, and the health of ecosystems throughout the state,” says Meyer. “We hope that individuals and communities will use this information to plan for the future, and that they will turn to Extension as a valuable resource in this process.”
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