Nov 19, 2024 - News
Seattle's warming winters, charted
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Washington's winters have gotten warmer since 1970, but the increase here has been less pronounced than in many parts of the country, according to a new analysis.
The big picture: Winters are warming quickly across much of the Lower 48 states, a phenomenon tied to human-caused climate change, writes Axios' Andrew Freedman.
- Warming during meteorological winter, which runs from December through February, affects winter sports, recreation and water supplies and can even alter a region's cultural identity over time.
Zoom in: Average winter temperatures in the Seattle area rose 1.1° F from 1970 to 2023, per an analysis from the nonprofit Climate Central.
- That's less than in areas like Burlington, Vermont, which saw its average winter temperature rise by 8.2° F, or Milwaukee, where average winter temps rose by 7.4° F.