Shorter Winters in Great Lakes Cities Signal Rising Temperatures

Scientists have discovered that winter seasons are getting noticeably shorter across many U.S. cities, especially those near the Great Lakes. An analysis of 245 weather stations compared data from two periods—1970‑1997 and 1998‑2025—and found that the coldest part of the year now starts later and ends earlier than it did half a century ago.

Key Findings

• Milwaukee: Winter shortened by ~11 days
• Green Bay: 10‑day reduction
• Madison: 7 days shorter
• Wausau: 5‑day decline

Other Great Lakes cities have seen even larger drops:

• Traverse City, MI: 21 days lost
• Erie, PA: 16‑day reduction

Implications

• Lakes: Less ice cover alters water mixing and increases the risk of harmful algae blooms.
• Fishing Industry: Relies on stable ice; continued shortening could lead to significant losses.
• Public Health: Warmer winters may raise heat‑related illnesses in spring and summer.

Broader Climate Context

• Warming temperatures and increased precipitation are driving these shifts.
• Winter storms are less intense, yet snowfall is decreasing—further shortening the season.

Policy and Funding

• Recent federal decisions have cut climate research funding.
• Official reports have removed references to human‑caused warming, complicating tracking and communication of climate impacts.

Economic Impact

• Extreme weather events could cost Wisconsin up to $16 billion over the next fifteen years.

Understanding and addressing these changes is essential for both environmental preservation and financial stability.