Current weather trends across America display a change in the levels of snowfall as a result of global warming.

While the change in the levels of snowfall may imply that there is less snowfall overall, that is not the case. Generally, global warming causes weather patterns to become increasingly dramatic or moderate within different regions. For example, in Anchorage, Alaska where there is already a high level of snowfall, the levels of snowfall have increased approximately 30% from 1970-2016 as reported by Climate Central. However, according to data reported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), within the continental United States, there is overall a greater rate of change for less snowfall than there is for greater snowfall. This change is especially prominent in the northwestern region of the United States. In Chicago, Illinois, a more temperate climate than Anchorage, for example, the levels of snowfall decreased approximately 20% from 1970-2016. Overall, global warming is resulting in different weather trends all around, and these changes have not gone unnoticed. Nicole Meimaris ‘19 says, “The snowfall in Chicago has become very sporadic. One week we will have over five inches of snow while other weeks there will be no precipitation. It seems as though in the past Chicago winters were much more consistent in the periods of snowfall.” Katie Li ‘19 says, “I used to like enjoying the snow outside by doing different outdoor activities like sledding, but there have been less and less opportunities to do so every winter.”

Chicago has been known to have snowy winters, however that concept may change for future generations with current snowfall trends.