1. How might Climate Change affect the Great Lakes Region?
Peter J. Sousounis
Geography Department
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

7. Why Should Precipitation Increase…?
More frequent storms
Slower storms
Stronger storms
Moister storms
More efficient storms

8. Annual Precip Category Changes for Detroit, MI
CAN 1900
CAN 2000
CAT (mm)
DAYS
PCN (MM)
DAYS
PCN (MM) D
DAYS D
PCN 88
58.08 84
56.77
101
303.97 98
299.61 31
269.35 30
257.92 -7
-17 18
326.14 20
345.89
> 25.4 8
337.07 11
471.97 5
155
HAD 1900
HAD 2000
CAT (mm)
DAYS
PCN (MM)
DAYS
PCN (MM) D
DAYS D
PCN 67
45.18 62
40.64 90
270.91 81
246.57 31
276.86 30
264.85
-15
-41 19
314.12 23
401.92
> 25.4 2
59.79 6
178.28 8
206

15. Summary
Climate change in the Great Lakes region will be manifested by changes in winds and storm tracks as well as by changes in temperature and precipitation.
Extreme hot days will occur at least twice as frequently, extreme precipitation events will increase in frequency and intensity. The number of cyclones will decrease by ~15% and windspeeds will decrease by 10%.
Interannual variability will also likely increase.
The magnitudes of the climate changes will likely have significant impacts on ecosystems in the region.