You may have noticed that 2015 has been a pretty warm year. In fact, according the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2015 is predicted with 97% certainty to be the warmest year on record (Arguez et al. 2015).
So, are warmer winters ahead for Florida? Very likely.
And not just for Florida. Climate change will affect all parts of the world. In Florida and elsewhere, warming temperatures will contribute to more extreme weather patterns, sea-level rise and eroding coastlines, and increased pressures on water and food systems, among other challenges (Borisova, Breuer, and Carriker 2014).
For more on climate change and warmer winters, check out these resources:
- Global Climate Change Indicators (NOAA) – This is a great resource for in-depth, up-to-date information on climate change.
- Florida Climate Institute at the University of Florida – This is a branch of the Florida Climate Institute that that studies climate change; the website details recent events and projects.
- Florida Climate Center – Find recent scientific data and other information about Florida’s climate.
References
Arguez, A., S. Applequist, M. C. Kruk, M. f. Squires, and R. S. Vose. September 17, 2015. “Somewhat. Very. Extremely. How likely is it that 2015 will be the new warmest year on record?” Beyond the Data (blog), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/somewhat-very-extremely-how-likely-it-2015-will-be-new-warmest-year
Borisova, T., N. Breuer, and R. Carriker. 2014. Economic Impacts of Climate Change on Florida: Estimates from Two Studies. FE787. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Accessed November 23, 2015. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe787
Photo credit: UF/IFAS
0
