`Weather happens and the climate is always changing. Farmers are very in tune with these changes because weather is critical to any farming operation. What are the current weather trends in your area? Is it hotter? dryer? cooler? warmer? Is the growing season longer? Has the first frost date changed?
There is a real possibility that the weather of 30 years ago is not what we are seeing today or will see 30 years from now. The video to the right gives an overview of some of the weather trends. Related: What is the difference between weather and climate?
Use the map below to find weather trend resources in your state. Below the map are regional and national resources on weather and climate trends.
Fact sheet: Is it weather or is it climate? (Slideshare – look below preview box and title for a download link)
Educator Materials
If you would like to use the video, slides, or factsheet for educational programs, please visit the curriculum page for download links for this and other climate change topics.
Recommended Resources
Global Trends
State of the Climate (NOAA)
National Weather Trends
US National Climate Assessment (US Global Change Research Program)
Midwest Weather Data
Drought Monitor (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
US EPA Climate Change Impacts on the Midwest
US EPA Climate Change Impacts on the Great Plains
Southeast Weather Data
State of the Climate (NOAA)
Southeast Regional Climate Center-Climate Change and Health in the Southeast
Northeast Weather Data
US EPA Climate Impacts on the Northeast
Southwest Weather Data
US EPA Climate Change Impacts in the Southwest
Managing Changing Landscapes in the Southwestern United States (PDF)
Northwestern Weather Data
US EPA Climate Change Impacts on the Northwestern US
Climate of the Pacific Northwest
US Drought Monitor (Western Region: Upper Colorado River Basin)
Western Regional Climate Center
PRISM Climate Group
About the Author
Pam Knox is a climatologist at the University of Georgia Athens. She has extensive experience in climate and agriculture topics. More about Pam….
Acknowledgements
This page was developed as part of a project “Animal Agriculture and Climate Change” an extension facilitation project to increase capacity for ag professionals. It was funded by USDA-NIFA under award # 2011-67003-30206.