Missouri’s seasons are getting warmer and wetter, especially winter and spring.
For farmers, this means a longer growing season, wetter fields and potential for more plant diseases and insects.
Four of the five warmest winters in Missouri on record have occurred since the early 1990s, said University of Missouri Extension climatologist Pat Guinan.
The five warmest springs on record have taken place since 1977.
Guinan said Missouri has witnessed a trend of “unprecedented” annual warming over the past couple decades.