How climate change impacts the fall season

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — As we start the first full week of September it’s a reminder that summer is coming to an end and fall is right around the corner. The month of September is known for its ups and downs as we transition from hot summer months into cooler and comfortable weather as we have seen this past week.

September first marks the start of meteorological fall and over the past 50 years we have seen the season of fall warm by about two and a half degrees across the United States. The group climate central analyzed 242 locations across the United States and 97 percent of them have seen fall temperatures increase by two or three degrees. With the western part of the United States seeing the most warming since 1970.

Climate central also showed that Lansing has seen the average fall temperature rise by almost 3 degrees, on top of that we also have seen almost two weeks of above normal temperatures well into the fall season.

But what does this mean for you?

We all know that by late August to early September kids are back in school and fall sports are in full swing.  Students playing outdoor sports will come face to face with these warmer temperatures and could experience heat related illnesses more frequently. On top of that, the majority of the school buildings not only here in Michigan but across the United States were not built to handle the current warming we are experiencing during the fall months, which means as we continue to see fall warming later into the season this will increase the cooling demand to keep homes, schools and other buildings at safe and comfortable temperatures.

Warmer falls also mean longer seasonal allergies and the chance to see longer wildfire seasons. Both can impact your health in many ways. First hotter falls means a longer wildfire season which means that wildfire smoke can lead to poor air quality leading to those with asthma and allergies to suffer.

While adjusting the fall activities such as the school day and limiting time outside during fall heat are a quick fix to the issues at hand, we need to start realizing that the impacts of climate change are here and will only get worse in the future if we don’t act now.

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