Last October’s blizzard that blew through western South Dakota and killed about 45,000 animals was the inspiration for a study conducted by SDSU Extension Climate Specialists. Multiple states participated in the study, which compared today’s climate to pre-industrial climate patterns. Climate Field Specialist, Laura Edwards, says human-caused climate change has changed moisture levels, but can’t be linked to extreme weather…
Edwards says climate change has created a warmer atmosphere, which holds more moisture, but it doesn’t translate into an increase in extreme events like last October’s blizzard…
Edwards says the study may be expanded in the future to analyze the climate models and extreme weather patterns and their effect on agriculture throughout the state.
