Climate Change Research
Climate Change in the Adirondacks as of 2024
Winters in the Adirondacks have become shorter and milder, while summers are growing longer and hotter from 1900 to 2024. Long-term temperature and precipitation data from weather stations in Dannemora, Tupper Lake, and Indian Lake reveal these trends over several decades. The region is warming at a faster rate than the global average, though the pace varies depending on the time frame analyzed. For more information, review the Adirondack Climate Report below.
Paul Smith’s College has been studying phenology since 1990.
Phenology is the study of seasonal behavior in plants and animals; when they sprout, migrate, flower, or breed, and how climate affects them. Students, faculty, and researchers have gathered extensive data on various natural phenomena, including ice-out and freeze dates on Lower St. Regis Lake, robin migration patterns, salamander migration, the blooming of red maples, and other significant ecological events.
The Adirondack Watershed Institute staff have contributed to this ongoing research project, showcasing one of the many ways Paul Smith’s College is actively working to deepen our understanding of how climate change impacts the natural world. Learn more about this important work by visiting the link below.
Climate Change Publications
