The recent numerous rounds of heavy rainfall events to hit the state are a good reminder of one of the stronger climate change signals present in the state. That change being an increase in the number of heavy rainfall events. The featured chart looks at the decade average number of days each year an Iowa station received at least two inches of rain. This average is based on long term climate sites tracked by the IEM. While the differences plotted seem small, a change from one day per year to 1.5 days per year is a 50% increase of the rate. Such events place stress on water infrastructure and increased urbanization amplifies their impacts.

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Tags:   climatechange