30 Year Climate Data Finds Few Changes in Cedar Rapids

We hear a lot about the affects of global warming and climate change. Some of the warmest years on record have been in the last 10 years or so. But new climate data released from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that Cedar Rapids and much of the Midwest, has remained unchanged the past 30 years.

NOAA first took a look at temperatures for cities in the Midwest, including Cedar Rapids. KWWL reports that over the past 30 years, half of the months had slightly cooler temperatures and half of the months had slightly warmer temperatures. The same holds true for overall monthly temps. According to NOAA, the past 30 years in Cedar Rapids shows our annual temperature unchanged. The cooling balanced out the warming.

Unlike Cedar Rapids, temperatures are rising both nationally and globally. That can lead to more extreme weather. Taking a look at the monthly precipitation numbers for Cedar Rapids, there has been more precipitation overall. While some months are unchanged, March, July, August, and November have had less precipitation. Overall, however, our annual precipitation is up around 1.3 inches.

So what about temperatures in other parts of the country? The folks at Climate Central put together the following map to show how temps are rising in other parts of the United States. The map shows how temperatures have risen the past 120 years, and also the last 30 years.

But take a look at the Central Plains states, including Iowa. We're one of the only places that the temperature has stayed the same, or even fallen in some cases. Yes, we're lucky to live where we do. But while the affects of climate change might not be as easily diagnosed in the Central part of the U.S., the warming of other areas of our country and the world puts us all at risk.