Precipitation patterns will be altered, with projected increases in total annual precipitation distributed unevenly among colder months (more) and warmer months (less).

All global climate models agree that there will be changes in precipitation patterns across the assessment area, but there is large variability among projections of future precipitation. Most climate models project increases in annual precipitation. Seasonally, winter and spring are also generally projected to have increases in precipitation during the next century. Projections of summer and fall precipitation for this region vary, with many models projecting decreased precipitation or only very slight increases. However, the fall season in the Northeast exhibited the largest (15%) increase in precipitation between 1901-2015 as compared to the other seasons.