Warming winters tied to climate change mean shorter cold streaks in Denver
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Don't let the latest temperature drop fool you: Our winter cold streaks are getting shorter.
By the numbers: Denver's cold snaps have shrunk an average of two days since 1970, per a new analysis from Climate Central, a climate research and communications nonprofit.
Why it matters: Lengthy periods of chilly weather are key for some farmers and winter sports lovers — and for building essential snowpack, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.
Yes, but: Prolonged cold conditions still happen; Denver's longest streak in 2023 lasted 17 days.
Flashback: The city's lengthiest period of consecutive cold-weather days between 1970 and 2023 came in 1988, totaling 29 days.
The big picture: On average, cold streaks are largely shrinking nationwide as climate change takes its toll.
- "Winter's longest cold streaks have gotten shorter since 1970 in 98% of 240 U.S. locations analyzed," per Climate Central's report.