The reason for warmer Minnesota winters: Less snow

Hotter summers and scorching temperatures might be a go-to thought when you think of climate change, but most of Minnesota’s warming is a winter phenomenon.

Pete Boulay of the Minnesota State Climatology Office said our warming winters can be credited to a lack of snowfall.

“We’re missing the snow pack,” said Boulay. “We’ve seen over the years, deep snow cover has gone down across many places in the state.” That means winters in Minnesota are warming faster than summers are.

Boulay talked with MPR meteorologist Paul Huttner about the warming trends and the impacts it could have on the state’s winter activities and outings.

To hear the full conversation, click play on the audio player above or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast.