Warmer and wetter: Maps reveal how global warming could lead to warmers and wetter temperatures across America
Maps were created to show how temperatures has changed since 1970 in all US regionsSince 1970, the average winter temperature in the continental U.S. has warmed by 2.4°
Findings come amid prediction that 2014 is likely to be warmest on record
By Mark Prigg for MailOnline
Published: 18:04 EST, 9 December 2014 | Updated: 19:00 EST, 9 December 2014
The Southwest has seen rises of just 2.3C since 1970 - whereas the upper midwest has seen a huge 7.5C boost to its winter temperatures.
In America's West, a 3.0C rise was recorded, while in the Northeast a much larger 5.4C boost was uncovered since 1970
The researchers also looked at rain.
'A large swath in the middle of the country from Texas to Michigan has seen an uptick in precipitation.
'The Rockies have also gotten wetter, which is good news to skiers (though that's tempered by rising temperatures).
'At the same time, the Southeast and Northwest have gotten somewhat drier.'
Despite the current drought afflicting California, the long-term trend shows that winters have gotten wetter in a large chunk of the state.
This wet season appears off to a better start than the past two, but with record heat baking soils to their driest levels in at least 1,200 years, a lot more rain is needed this winter to bust the drought.
It comes as Heatwaves and prolonged spells of freezing weather have become more common over the past three decades, according to scientists.
The Rockies have also gotten wetter, which is good news for skiers, while the Ohio Valley has seen a 4.4C rise
America's south saw a rise of 4.0C since 1970, which equates to .88C per year, while the southeast saw a 2.9C rise
Read more: dailymail.co.uk |
