Module 1: Climate Impacts to Agriculture in the Northeast
To assess your farm's vulnerability to climate change, start by identifying the key climate impacts affecting your operation. Across the Northeast, producers are already experiencing new extremes and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns — and these conditions are only expected to intensify. Impacts vary by operation type and location, since climate trends differ across the region. But these changes affect everything from crop and dairy yields to livestock health, soil quality, planting schedules, labor and energy demands, infrastructure, and water availability — and ultimately, your bottom line.
Northeast Climate Impacts
Rising Temperatures: Across the Northeast, average annual temperatures have increased by 2.5°F since 1895.
Warmer Winters: Temperature changes have been most noticeable during the winter, with nighttime lows rising faster than daytime highs. Temperatures are warming fastest along the coast.
Changes in Growing Season: The length of the growing season has increased by roughly 10-14 days. These
changes may bring opportunities (e.g., for double
cropping) or challenges for timing.
Increased Rainfall: Increased temperatures mean that the atmosphere can hold more water. Annual precipitation has increased by approximately 5 inches since 1895, and extreme rainfall events (top 1% of daily totals) occur 60% more often.
Sea Level Rise: Since 1990, the global average sea level
has risen by 7-8 inches. Sea level has been rising by approximately 0.14–0.17 inches per year (roughly twice
the long-term trend).
Drought: Despite an increase in extreme precipitation events, short-term drought conditions persist. Rising temperatures increase evaporative demand, creating highly variable soil moisture even in years with above-average rainfall.
Climate Smart Farming Tools
To better understand and prepare for these key climate trends, we encourage you to explore the interactive tools available on the Cornell Climate Smart Farming website. These tools, ranging from seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks to growing degree day calculators, drought monitors, and sea level rise viewers, provide real-time, location-specific information to help you assess risks and make informed decisions for your farm. Using these resources alongside the workbook will support stronger planning, smarter adaptation strategies, and improved resilience in a changing climate.
1
Visualizing Climate Change in the Northeast
The CSF Visualizing Climate Change Tool provides localized historical and projected climate data, such as temperature, precipitation, and growing season trends, to help farmers understand how climate change is affecting their specific county and plan accordingly.
3
Growing Degree Day Calculator
The CSF Growing Degree Day Calculator helps farmers track heat accumulation throughout the season to better predict crop development, plan planting and harvesting, and manage weather related risks.
5
U.S. Drought Monitor
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers up-to-date maps that show current drought conditions across the country, helping farmers monitor water availability and make informed decisions about irrigation, grazing, and crop management.
2
Seasonal Temperature Outlook
The NOAA Seasonal Temperature Outlook Tool provides short and long term forecasts of temperature trends, helping farmers anticipate upcoming conditions and plan fieldwork, planting, and livestock management accordingly.
4
Seasonal Precipitation Outlook
The NOAA Seasonal Precipitation Outlook Tool provides regional forecasts of expected rainfall patterns, helping farmers prepare for periods of excess moisture or drought and adjust their management plans in advance.