Forest

Daily low temperatures are projected to increase substantially across the Midwest, particularly under a higher climate scenario (RCP 8.5). For example, the coldest day of the year is expected to be about 9.4 degrees Fahrenheit warmer by the middle of the century (2036-2065), according to an average of 32 climate models under scenario RCP 8.5. The Midwest is also expected to experience 20 to 40 fewer days per year below 32 degrees Fahrenheit by the middle of the century.

Daily extreme temperatures are projected to increase substantially across the Midwest, particularly under a higher climate scenario (RCP 8.5). For example, the hottest day of the year is expected to be about 6.7 degrees Fahrenheit warmer by the middle of the century (2036-2065), according to an average of 32 climate models under scenario RCP 8.5. The Midwest is also expected to experience 5 to 40 more days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit by the middle of the century.

The Midwest has already warmed by about 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit since the first half of the 20th century. Climate models agree that temperatures are projected to increase over the 21st century across the Midwest. By mid-century (2036-2065), average annual temperature is expected to increase by 4.2 to 5.3 degrees, Fahrenheit. By the end of the century (2071-2100), temperatures in the Midwest are projected to increase by 5.6 to 9.5 degrees Fahrenheit.