Forested watershed | Adaptation Workbook

Average annual precipitation projections suggest small changes overall, with slight decreases expected across much of the region by mid-century.

There is uncertainty between different climate scenarios for future precipitation projections in the Southern Great Plains. Overall annual changes in precipitation are expected to be small through mid-century, with slight decreases projected from Texas to Kansas. The largest decreases in annual precipitation are expected in Texas, which may see 6-12% less annual rainfall by late-century.

Read more about Average annual precipitation projections suggest small changes overall, with slight decreases expected across much of the region by mid-century.

The risk of wildfire is projected to increase across the region, espeically in the summer, and the duration of the fire season is expected to increase.

Different modeling approaches generally conclude that future climate conditions will increase the risk of wildfire across the Great Plains. In the Southern Great Plains, increased wildfire activity is linked to periods of abundant precipitation followed by high temperatures and drought. Annual fire probability, calculated solely with climate data and physical principles, is projected to increase by 20% to 1200% across the region by the end of the century. Fire probability may decrease in Texas, however.

Read more about The risk of wildfire is projected to increase across the region, espeically in the summer, and the duration of the fire season is expected to increase.

Droughts are likely to become more frequent and severe across the Southern Plains region.

The Southern Great Plains region can expect increased dryness and aridity in the future, as hotter temperatures increase evapotranspiration and deplete soil moisture. Some of the negative effects of drying may be offset by the increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, which can stimulate plant growth and increase water-use efficiency. Decreases in available surface water may lead to an increased demand for groundwater. Model simulations predict conditions to possibly become drier than at any time during at least the last 1,000 years.

Read more about Droughts are likely to become more frequent and severe across the Southern Plains region.

The Southern Great Plains region is expected to experience between 0 and 10 fewer days per year with a minimum temperature below 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the middle of the century.

The largest decreases in cold days are expected in Kansas. The smallest decrease in cold days is expected in Oklahoma and Texas, where these kinds of cold days rarely occur. Similarly, the region is expected to have up to 30 fewer days with a minimum temperature below 32 degrees by the middle of the century, particularly on the western edges of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Read more about The Southern Great Plains region is expected to experience between 0 and 10 fewer days per year with a minimum temperature below 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the middle of the century.

By late century, the Southern Great Plains region is projected to experience an additional 30–100 days per year above 100°F.

For an average of seven days per year, maximum temperatures reach more than 100° F in the Southern Plains. By mid-century, the frequency of very hot days (with maximum temperatures above 100°F) could possibly double. By late century, Central Texas north to Kansas may experience an increase of 60-80 more hot days per year. South Texas is projected to see 90-100 additional hot days by the end of the century, according to a range of climate scenarios. The smallest increase in days over 100°F will occur in Kansas, with 40-60 additional hot days.

Read more about By late century, the Southern Great Plains region is projected to experience an additional 30–100 days per year above 100°F.

By late century, annual average temperatures in the Southern Great Plains are projected to increase by 4.4°–8.4°F.

All climate models agree that temperatures are projected to increase over the 21st century across the Southern Great Plains, with almost uniform temperature increases across the entire region. Summer shows the largest amount of warming, with a localized maximum in western Kansas. Springtime warming is generally smaller than other seasons, with the largest increases occuring in southwest Texas.

Read more about By late century, annual average temperatures in the Southern Great Plains are projected to increase by 4.4°–8.4°F.

Climate change will amplify many existing stressors to forest ecosystems in the Great Plains, such as invasive species, insect pests and pathogens, and disturbance regimes

Forest ecosystems throughout the Great Plains are exposed to a range of natural, introduced, and anthropogenic stressors. High-elevation forests and semiarid riparian forests are faced with their own distinct kinds of stressors. Invasive plants, forest pests, diseases, droughts, and floods are expected to become more damaging under climate change, and these factors may interact in unpredictable ways.

Read more about Climate change will amplify many existing stressors to forest ecosystems in the Great Plains, such as invasive species, insect pests and pathogens, and disturbance regimes

Longer growing seasons, warmer temperatures, and greater water demand for agriculture may reduce available water for natural ecosystems.

Water is central to the region’s productivity. Projected increases in winter and spring precipitation in the Northern Plains may benefit productivity by increasing water availability through soil moisture reserves during the early growing season. The Northern Plains will remain vulnerable to periodic drought because much of the projected increase in precipitation is expected to occur in the cooler months while increasing temperatures will result in additional evapotranspiration.

Read more about Longer growing seasons, warmer temperatures, and greater water demand for agriculture may reduce available water for natural ecosystems.

The freeze-free season is expected to increase by 15 to 33 days in the Northern Great Plains by the middle of the century.

The freeze-free season is defined as the period of time between the last spring frost (daily minimum temperature below 32 degrees F) and the first fall frost. The length of the annual freeze-free season has been increasing since the 1980s, and all climate models agree that it will continue to increase in the future. The largest increases are projected for the high country of Wyoming and Montana.

Read more about The freeze-free season is expected to increase by 15 to 33 days in the Northern Great Plains by the middle of the century.

A majority of climate models suggest that precipitation in the Northern Great Plains will increase in the winter, spring, and fall by the end of the century, but most models project that summer precipitation may decrease.

The largest decrease (10-15%) in summer precipitation is expected in western Wyoming. The means of several climate models indicate that spring precipitation may increase around 3% across much of the Northern Great Plains by the middle of the century. Winter precipitation is expected to increase 6-12%, with larger increases expected in parts of the Dakotas. Under mild climate scenarios, changes are generally smaller than in more extreme climate scenarios.

Read more about A majority of climate models suggest that precipitation in the Northern Great Plains will increase in the winter, spring, and fall by the end of the century, but most models project that summer precipitation may decrease.