Trends over the last 30 years are amplified with an increase of 2 inches (0.67 inch per decade) in the annual average with much of that occurring during spring (1.2 inches). Much of this is a result of more precipitation during the spring (0.9 inch). Through the 20 th century our climate generally became slightly wetter with a precipitation increase of 1.3 inches (0.10 inch per decade). Nebraska’s precipitation patterns generally can be defined by high year-to-year variability and a strong east-west gradient where annual totals decrease by 50%. By mid-century, projections indicate a 10% to 20% decrease. Heating degree days average about 7,000 units annually in today’s climate. Given the temperature projections and warming trend, cooling degree days are projected to be 40% to 60% more than the current average (approximately 1,000 units). An increase of 20% to 25% can be expected by mid-century. By mid-century, length of the growing season is expected to increase by several weeks.Ĭurrently, modified growing degree days (base of 50☏) accumulated per year average 3,000-4,000 units. The length of the growing season (number of days between last spring and first fall freeze) can be quite variable in Nebraska from year to year. Conversely, the number of extreme cold days will be cut by 50%-66%, on average. By mid-century, this number will likely double, impacting plant growth and development. Nebraska experiences, on average, 10-20 days annually with a high temperature greater than 95☏. By mid-century average temperatures in Nebraska are expected to be 2 to 5 degrees warmer than they are now, increasing at a rate of 0.5-1.25 degrees per decade. The rate of warming will accelerate in the coming decades. However, since 1987, the trend for summer and fall has been a warming trend of 1 degree.Ĭlimate models project the overall warming trend will continue throughout this century. Portions of Nebraska have experienced a slight long-term cooling trend in maximum temperatures during summer and fall. Lows have warmed 2.2 degrees while highs have warmed 1.1 degrees. Overall, the rise of minimum temperatures is outpacing the rise in maximum temperatures by a factor of two. One exception to the warming in recent years is a cooling trend for the winter months where temperatures have cooled about one degree since 1987. The rate of warming has generally increased over the last 30 years (0.3 degrees per decade), most notably for summer and fall. ![]() On average, temperatures have increased about 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit since 1895 (a rate of 0.15 degrees per decade). Nebraska’s climate has warmed over the last century. These changes are placed in the context of climate projections, made available from the recent release of the 4 th National Climate Assessment. This was performed for both the entire record length, which goes back to 1895, as well as the most recent three decades. The Nebraska State Climate Office has analyzed historical temperature and precipitation trends for the state’s eight climate divisions.
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