Most US states are showing a warming trend, but this process is not uniform across the country. Instead of a steady increase in average temperatures, many regions are experiencing changes in extreme values, creating a complex and uneven picture of climate change.

Regional Climate Change Characteristics

A study published in PLOS Climate revealed that climate change affects different regions of the US in various ways. An analysis based on data from 48 contiguous states identified significant differences in the nature of warming, highlighting the need for tailored adaptation strategies in each region.

Although climate change is a global issue, its impacts are distributed unevenly. Local conditions determine how warming is felt, so adaptation measures and climate policy must take into account the specific features of each territory. Unlike topics such as public health or economic inequality, regional climate differences have not been studied in sufficient detail. To address this gap, a new method for analyzing temperature changes was developed, allowing for more accurate comparisons of warming trends in different locations.

Research Methods and Findings

The study analyzed average temperatures from 1950 to 2021, as well as more than 26,000 daily temperature records for each state. This approach made it possible to consider not only average values but also the full range of temperatures observed locally.

The results showed that only 27 states (55%) recorded an increase in average temperatures. However, 41 states (84%) saw a rise in at least part of their temperature range. In some regions, this is reflected in higher peak temperatures, while in others, it appears as milder minimum values. For example, western states are experiencing more annual temperature extremes, while many northern states are seeing warmer minimum temperatures.

Impact on Society and the Economy

Differences in temperature extremes can significantly affect agriculture, place additional strain on healthcare systems, and influence public perception of climate risks. All these factors are important for shaping local climate policy and response measures.

Prospects for Further Research

The developed methodology can also be applied to study other climate changes, including shifts in precipitation and rising sea levels.

Analysis of temperature distribution shows that most US states are experiencing warming in certain parts of the temperature range, even if the average warming is not statistically significant. This points to pronounced regional inequality in how climate change manifests across the country.