Spring temps warming faster in Reno than anywhere else in the nation; Las Vegas in second – Reno Gazette Journal

Spring temperatures in Reno are increasing faster than anywhere else in the nation, according to a study looking at more than five decades of climate data.

Over the past 52 years, the average spring temperature in the city has increased by 6.8 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Climate Central, a nonprofit organization that analyzes and reports on climate science. The organizations report looked at national trends in average spring temperatures above normal since 1970.

The city with the second-most-dramatic increase in average spring temperatures was also in Nevada. Las Vegas has seen its average spring temperature jump 6.2 degrees Fahrenheit over the same period.

The Climate Central study analyzed historical data from 242 locations across the country for the months of March, April and May.

Scientists measure spring a little differently than the average person this year, on most peoples calendars, spring starts March 20 in the Northern Hemisphere. This coincides with the spring equinox and is referred to as astronomical spring.

Scientists, however, have split the calendar year into four chunks, each three months long, to standardize measurements. For scientific purposes, meteorological spring runs from March 1 to the end of May.

Of the 242 locations studied, 97% showed an increase in average spring temperatures, with about half seeing average temperature increases of 2 degrees Fahrenheit or more.

According to the study, Reno now averages 36 more days annually above previous normal temperatures while Las Vegas averages 30 more days.

The spring season is not only warming, but also arriving earlier. This leads to events such as longer mosquito and allergy seasons. It can also lengthen the growing season, impacting agricultural producers.

According to the USA National Phenology Network, spring leaf out (when plants transition from budding to leafing) is up to a month early in many locations across Western states.

Amy Alonzo covers the outdoors, recreation and environment for Nevada and Lake Tahoe.Reach her at aalonzo@gannett.com.Here's how you can support ongoing coverage and local journalism.

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Spring temps warming faster in Reno than anywhere else in the nation; Las Vegas in second - Reno Gazette Journal