4.7 SR 06-01-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Sherburne County Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2020 3.5 Climate The Sherburne County climate is considered severe, especially in the winter months, and county residents experience four distinct seasons. January is the coldest month on average in Sherburne County, with an average monthly minimum temperature of o°F (based on data from 3.895-203.8). The coldest month on record for the county was January 3.93.2, with a month -long average minimum temperature of -i6°F (MN DNR, n.d.). The average annual snowfall in Elk River is 40 inches (U.S. Climate Data, n.d.). July is the hottest month on average in Sherburne County, with an average monthly maximum temperature of 82°F (based on data from 1895-2oi8). The hottest month on record for the county was July 3.936, with a month -long average maximum temperature of 93°F (MN DNR, n.d.). The average annual rainfall is 32 inches (U.S. Climate Data, n.d.). Climate Change Minnesota's climate is currently changing in ways that are pushing us to adapt to weather patterns and extreme eventsthat pose majorthreats to our health, homes, environment and livelihoods. These events cost our state millions in property loss, damaged infrastructure, disrupted business, medical care and support services, and put residents and responders at risk. Understanding how our weather is changing now and into the future will help planners and decision -makers in emergency management and supporting fields extend our progress in climate adaptation and lead to more resilient communities (MDH, 2o3.8). The National Climate Assessment suggests that infrastructure planning (particularly water resources infrastructure) should "be improved by incorporating climate change as a factor in new design standards and asset management and rehabilitation of critical and aging facilities, emphasizing flexibility, redundancy, and resiliency" (Georgakakos, et al., 2014). Federal, state, and tribal governments are increasingly integrating climate change adaptation into existing decision -making, planning, or infrastructure -improvement processes (Georgakakos, et al., 203-4). Definite predictions are difficult to make, as changes may vary depending on geographical location, even within Minnesota. Intense study of these topics is ongoing. In August 2oi8, the Minnesota Department of Health Climate & Health Program published "Planning for Climate & Health Impacts in Metro Minnesota: Emergency Management Considerations for HSEM Region 6." This report is one of a series of custom climate profile reports produced for each of the six HSEM regions in the state for reference to climate change projection data, impacts, and considerations for emergency management and preparedness professionals in this HSEM region. Climate Data Trends Over 50 years of storm data on record document that Minnesota has experienced an increase in the number and strength of weather -related natural disasters, particularly those related to rising temperatures and heavy downpours. Page 121