Laura Edwards, State Climatologist, SDSU Extension
The State of South Dakota and the City of Sioux Falls have already experienced measurable changes in temperature and precipitation. In this region, annual temperature is rising, but not all seasons are rising at the same rate, with winter warming faster than the other three seasons. Annual precipitation is also increasing, with spring and fall seasons getting wetter faster in recent decades compared to winter and summer. In the future, it is projected that some of the trends of the last few decades will continue, but some elements will continue to change. At this moment of growth in Sioux Falls and the state of South Dakota, it is an opportune time to reflect and plan for opportunities and challenges in the coming decades. This presentation will highlight some risks and impacts related to changing climate patterns and how they could affect water and sustainability in the Sioux Falls region.
