How has winter precipitation changed over time in the Southeast? If you look at trends from 1970 to 2012, there has been a decrease in December through February precipitation in most climate divisions in our region. Climate Central produced a map which shows the biggest declines have been in Georgia and the Carolinas. Precipitation has also decreased in the Pacific Northwest. By comparison, the Ohio River Valley, eastern Texas and California have generally seen increases in winter precipitation over time. This decrease in winter precipitation is worrisome for the Southeast since winter is the time period when soil moisture typically recharges from the dry summer months, although at the current rate of decrease, the Southeast will still get plenty of water for years to come. You can read about these trends by clicking here.
