Erie is getting warmer!
Erie was among the five fastest-warming cities in the United States, according to a 2022 ranking of 246 cities analyzed by Climate Central. Results were based on the increase in annual average temperature since 1970. Warming mattrs because it drives most of the hazards associated with a changing climate. Temperature extremes are also becoming more common, with temperature trends being harder to predict. The data shown on this page represents long-term trends and projections for temperature in Erie County compiled by GLISA. Don't see the temperature data you need? Contact us!
The National Weather Service reported a high of 79 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday, November 9, 2020 in Erie, PA. The normal high for this time period is 53 degrees Fahrenheit. This new high temperature set a record for November in Erie, breaking the record of 73 degrees Fahrenheit set in both 1891 and 1999. This record temperature also marks the highest temperature ever recorded so late in the season.
Average annual temperatures are
increasing
increasing
Many residents of the city of Erie do not have access to air conditioning at home, places of work, or even in schools. More than 80% of heat related deaths are of people over the age of 60.
All seasons are experiencing temperature changes
The largest change in average temperature has occurred in the summer, as reflected in the graph pictured on the right. By 2040, average annual temperature is expected to increase by 3.2 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures can be hard to predict
While the overall trend is upward, it is still possible to experience extreme cold or hot days. This figure shows the ten-year running average temperature with annual temperatures displayed as individual points. It demonstrates the variability that can be observed year-to-year or on longer time scales.
The growing season is getting longer
The 1,422 farms in Erie County must now adapt, with later first freezes in the fall and earlier last freezes in the spring. This figure shows the increase in the length of the freeze-free period between 1950 and 2018. This is caused by overall increasing temperatures in the spring and fall leading to later first-fall freezes and earlier last-spring freezes.
Degree days over 90
There is not a significant trend observed for high heat days with temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, as shown in the figure. While days above 90 are relatively rare in Erie, it is still possible to have days above 95 or even 100 degrees. In general, extreme heat days are expected to increase in the coming decades.
Impacts of Rising Temperatures
Increased pests like mosquitos and ticks
Longer growing seasons
An increase in heat-related deaths and illnesses
Increased instances of harmful algal blooms
Reduced winter ice coverage leading to more lake effect snow
Ticks are active longer throughout the year, increasing instances of Lyme disease
More frequent late-winter warm-ups that can cause early budding in trees which are then at risk from frost
Changes in where species are occurring and the timing of their migrations
Fish affected by warmer temperatures are migrating northwards, impacting tourism and recreation
The number of days exceeding 90 degrees will increase from 10 annually to 37 annually
The early arrival of spring may increase the population of major crop pests and invasive weeds
Increased demand for energy cooling in the summer
A decline in winter sports like skiing and snow mobiling.
