Vermont climate change report warns of catastrophic flood risk

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/10/vermont-climate-change-report-warns-of-catastrophic-flood-risk/



Vermont climate change report warns of catastrophic flood risk
By Reuters
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 12:15 EDT

BOSTON (Reuters) – A warming world could pose a risk of more frequent catastrophic flooding but also be a long-term boon for Vermont farmers and a shorter-lived thrill for its skiers, according to a state report released on Tuesday.

The Vermont Climate Assessment found that higher rates of precipitation expected to come with climate change could bring heavier winter snows over the next 25 years, good news for ski resorts until the state becomes too warm to sustain significant amounts of snow.

It was the first state report to follow the model of the National Climate Assessment released last month by the White House, which was intended to help U.S. states prepare for concrete ways a changing climate could affect agriculture, transportation and other aspects of life.

The report, based on records from weather data to farmers’ observations on when ice thaws on ponds and plants bloom, found that average temperatures in Vermont have risen by 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit (0.7 C) and average annual rainfall has risen by 5.9 inches (15 cm) since 1960, with almost half the growth coming since 1990.