How climate change is making spring warmer, rainier and earlier

Question

According to this article, the beginning of spring is getting earlier, by 2 or more weeks at most, as it is getting hotter. It also claims that it is getting rainy.

This article shows some data about the climate and the temperature in spring and how those have changed, and associates those phenomena with climate change. Aren't there any other causes or factors that can account for those?

Answer 1

First leaf dates and blooming dates from 1991-2020 align with this claim as true. In a report from NOAA, there tends to be a general consensus that signs of spring in America are occurring earlier by more than 8 days except for the Southeast region of the country which sometimes reflects a delayed spring. A map in the report shows the average temperature trends from 1896-2020 and illustrates warmer climates ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 degrees (F) per decade. NOAA also says that spring indicators have been considered a good metric for climate change. The EPA has also reported that extreme precipitation is expected as the global temperatures rise and that the regions expecting less rain may experience heavier bursts of rain. There is another interesting article that rainfall is decreasing in northern climates due to climate change. It purposes that with fewer clouds there is more potential for photosynthesis in plants. The original article uses statistics from the EPA and NOAA which is considered factual and reliable.

NOAA article (considered pro-science and factual reporting): https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/how-spring-plant-milestones-are-shifting-response-changing-climate

EPA article (government funded): https://www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/extreme-precipitation

US National Science Foundation article (government funded): https://www.nsf.gov/news/fewer-rainy-days-earlier-springs-linked-northern

Answer 2

Data on first leaf emergence and bloom timing from 1991-2020 support the article's claim, indicating that spring is occurring earlier in many regions. According to the NOAA report referenced in the article, signs of spring across the United States are now appearing more than eight days earlier on average, with the exception of parts of the southeast where spring onset is sometimes delayed. An NOAA temperature trend map spanning 1896-2020 further illustrates long term warming patterns, showing average temperature increases of 0.1 to 0.4°F per decade. Additionally, the EPA reports that as global temperatures rise, extreme precipitation events are expected to increase, even in regions projected to receive less overall rainfall, which may experience more intense rainfall events instead. Other research suggests some northern regions are seeing decreased rainfall due to climate change, potentially resulting in fewer clouds. Overall the article relies on data from NOAA, a trusted scientific research agency, and the EPA, a government body.

NOAA - https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/how-spring-plant-milestones-are-shifting-response-changing-climate

EPA - https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/how-spring-plant-milestones-are-shifting-response-changing-climate

US National Science Foundation - https://www.nsf.gov/news/fewer-rainy-days-earlier-springs-linked-northern