The East is getting warmer and wetter — the West is warmer and drier

Over the last 40 years

Temp-Precip changes
Combined shift in temperatures/precipitation for the 1991-2020 period compared to the 1981-2010 period. By Brian Brettschneider.

About 32 percent of the United States has gotten warmer and drier over the last 40 years, primarily in the West. The eastern two-thirds, about 66 percent, is warmer and wetter.

That leaves 2 percent of the country that is cooler and wetter — across the northern areas of Montana, North Dakota, Michigan, and Minnesota. A very tiny fraction, 0.06 percent in the northeastern tip of Minnesota, is cooler and drier. (Data from The Prism Climate Group and Brian Brettschneider)

And, it’s not only the U.S. that is getting warmer:

climate 2020

The fire season in California this year might be worse than in 2020:

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.