2022 Winter Package

Analysis of 238 U.S. locations shows that 97% have experienced increased average winter temperatures since 1970, with an average warming of 3.3°F. Winter is the fastest warming season for 75% of these locations, and 97% of 244 analyzed locations have seen shrinking winter cold snaps. These trends impact water supplies, residential energy use, agriculture, public health, and the winter recreation industry.

• Winter temperatures have risen across the vast majority of the U.S. since 1970, with 97% of 238 analyzed locations showing an increase. The average winter warming across these locations was 3.3°F, and approximately 87% (207 locations) saw temperatures rise by 2°F or more. Winter is the fastest warming season for 75% of these locations, with the most significant warming occurring in the Northeast and across the Great Lakes.
• Specific U.S. cities have experienced notable winter warming since 1970, led by Burlington, Vt. (7.1°F), Milwaukee, Wis. (6.1°F), Chattanooga, Tenn. (6.1°F), Concord, N.H. (6.0°F), and Green Bay, Wis. (5.7°F). Additionally, San Francisco, Calif. and Las Vegas, Nev. saw at least four more weeks of above-normal winter days compared to 1970, specifically 28 and 32 days respectively.
• The frequency of above-normal winter days and the duration of cold spells are changing. About 80% of locations now have at least seven more winter days above normal than in 1970. Between 1970 and 2021, 97% of 244 analyzed U.S. locations experienced shrinking winter cold snaps, which decreased by an average of 6 days.
• Warming winters have diverse impacts across several sectors: they can reduce mountain snowpack affecting water supplies, decrease residential natural gas use for heating, and lower fruit yields due to shorter chill periods. They may also increase health risks by failing to keep disease-carrying pests like ticks and mosquitoes in check, extend growing seasons (which can increase weed growth and irrigation demand), and economically damage the winter recreation industry.

APA

Climate Central (2022). 2022 Winter Package. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2022-winter-package

Chicago

Climate Central. 2022 Winter Package. 2022. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2022-winter-package.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=2022 Winter Package |date=30 November 2022 |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2022-winter-package |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral20222022, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{2022 Winter Package}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2022}, month = nov, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2022-winter-package}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }