New York State Climate Impacts Assessment Chapter 02: New York State's Changing Climate

Abstract

Many fundamental aspects of New York State's climate have already begun to change, and the changes are projected to continue—and in some cases, accelerate—throughout the 21st century. This chapter explores observed and projected changes in a variety of physical variables that relate directly to weather and climate, starting with average and extreme air temperature and proceeding to the associated effects on precipitation, extreme events, and core properties of New York's coastal and inland waters. These climate attributes and hazards lead to impacts throughout the eight sectors of this assessment.