Welcome to Locally Sourced, a biweekly Covering Climate Now newsletter for journalists working to localize the climate story. Share this newsletter with colleagues and journalism students interested in localizing the climate story.
Story Spark: Cold Weather
Climate change is making cold weather less frequent and less intense with a recent Climate Central analysis finding that the coldest day of the year has warmed by 7 degrees Fahrenheit with winter’s longest cold streaks now six days shorter, on average, compared to 1970. While climate change will not eliminate cold weather completely, climate research shows that winters are warming faster than any other season — leading to a host of problems that extend far beyond just fewer “white Christmases.”
From water scarcity driven by declining snow packs to dismal harvests of fruits that need colder temperatures to grow to threats to a $12 billion winter sports industry, climate change’s impact on winter disrupts life in every region of the US — and shows this isn’t “just a weather story.” Journalists could also explore how warming winters impact allergy seasons and energy use in homes, and examine how less frequent cold snaps may lead to lowered risk perception and preparedness.
When it comes to snow, balmier winter temperatures affect frozen precipitation in complex ways. While overall snow amounts have declined due to climate change, regional snow trends vary; some areas have seen more snowfall because warmer air can hold more moisture which can then fall as snow.
Stories We Like
- More than 50 First Nations in Canada depend on 3,700 miles of “winter roads” to move supplies given that there are no paved roads connecting these Indigenous communities to nearby cities. Grist explores how these ice roads are disappearingand how permanent roads may unlock new problems.
- KING 5 Seattle examines what the shrinking snowpack in the Pacific Northwest means for fishing, farming, skiing, and more in a recent half-hour climate special.
- Changing frost patterns and growing seasons are forcing botanical gardens and arboretums to adapt by changing what grows where, EOS reports.
- In France’s wine region, vineyards have been hit hard by the impacts of climate change, including frost caused by outbreaks of cold air. Euro News reports how winemakers are adapting.
- Yale Climate Connections digs into the climate science of how a warming Arctic is affecting extreme cold in North America and Europe.
- The Atlanta Journal Constitution explores how farmers are testing growing citrus in Georgia as hard freezes become less frequent due to climate change.
Expert Tips
Winter is warming — fast and unevenly. It’s the fastest-warming season across most of the US. Since 1970, 98% of cities analyzed have seen their winters warm by about 4 degrees F, on average. Cities in the Northeast and Great Lakes region have warmed the most, with places like Burlington, Vt., clocking an 8.1-degree-F increase in just 55 years. When covering winter warming, help connect that what we’re experiencing today is not the yuletide chill our parents and grandparents enjoyed. Regional variations ripple into everything from water supplies and agriculture to winter recreation and local economies.
Cold weather still matters — a lot. Many folks may react with, “Not as cold? That sounds like great news!” But cold weather is actually really important. Cold temperatures serve critical functions people care deeply about; we need to help connect those impacts. Fruit and nut crops depend on adequate winter chill. Timely cold keeps disease-carrying mosquitoes in check. Mountain snowpack feeds reservoirs that supply summer water needs. Ski resorts mean vital tourism dollars. Exploring the not-so-obvious impacts on topics close to our hearts helps reach those who might not otherwise engage with climate coverage.
Even in a warming climate, extreme cold still happens. Yes, we’ll still bundle up for bitter cold snaps, but that creates an important teaching moment. When a polar vortex or arctic outburst makes headlines, acknowledge the cold that people are experiencing while grounding it with a comparison using our local records tracker. This validates what folks are feeling when they walk outside while helping them understand the bigger, warmer picture.
– Shel Winkley
Resources
- Climate Central, Inc. publishes graphics highlighting how winter temperatures have changed locally and across the country.
- Dive into current snow cover data and trends compared to previous years through interactive maps provided by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).
- View up-to-the-minute snow surveys and water supply data throughout the mountain ranges of the western US with an interactive map provided by the National Water and Climate Center.
- Explore the frequency of record cold days compared to record hot days in your area using Climate Central’s interactive local records dashboard.
- Check out facts and recommendations to explain cold snaps from SciLine.
Recommended Experts
- Laura Ciasto, meteorologist, NOAA Climate Prediction Center, on large scale winter weather patterns, including the polar vortex
- Elizabeth Burakowski, research faculty member, University of New Hampshire, on winter climate change in the Northeast
- Kaitlyn Trudeau, senior research associate, Climate Central on changing winter temperature patterns
- Michael Notaro, director and lead scientist, Nelson Institute for Climatic Research, on climate change and lake effect snow
- Robert J. Warren II, professor, Buffalo State University, on climate change and fruit crop yields
Before We Go…
The next Locally Sourced will highlight deforestation. Have you reported about how removing forests contributes to a warmer planet and leads to other problems including soil degradation, food insecurity, and pollution? Send them to us at local[at]coveringclimatenow[dot]org. We’d love to consider them for the next edition of Locally Sourced and our media trainings and social platforms.
Register for the upcoming webinar “Prep Your Climate Coverage: Winter Warming and Why It Matters,” on Tuesday, December 9, at 12pm US Eastern Time, co-hosted by CCNow and Climate Central. Sign up.
Want more story ideas? Check out the Locally Sourced archive for more topics to explore, including AI and data centers, shoreline loss, climate anxiety, and more.
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