SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The effects of climate change are having a measurable impact in the Northern Plains states according to the Climate Prediction Center.
Head of the Midwest Hub for the Department of Agriculture, Dennis Todey, says warming temperatures may not be readily apparent.
Todey says the biggest warming climatologists are seeing is tending to be in the winter time, during our cold season, in minimum temperatures. He says our low temperatures are what's driving the warming.
But Todey says summer temperatures are changing too.
He says the overall highs are decreasing slighty in the summer. But it's those overnight warm temperatures, in the 70's, mid-70's and sometimes 80's, that are driving the overall temperature trend.
Todey says forecasters expect more heavy rain events that do little to relieve long-term drought.
He says a location may get 30 inches of rain in a season. If there are only two to three rain events, it means a long time between rains and a greater likelihood that drought will creep in between them. He calls those events "episodic and that's not very good."
Todey says the number of frost-free days are increasing, extending the growing season.