watervulnerability

Chequamegon-­‐Nicolet National Forest Watershed Vulnerability Assessment, Eastern Region (R9)
impacts to cold and cool water species by developing and applying thresholds for average change in fish
distribution.
EXPOSURE
Northern Wisconsin has a typical continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Precipitation
averages 32 inches per year, two-thirds of which falls during the growing season. Snowfall generally
averages 50 to 60 inches per year but some localized areas receive 70 to 140 inches. There are normally
110 to 130 days with snow cover greater than 1 inch. Evapotranspiration and runoff average 20 inches
and 12 inches per year, respectively. Average annual temperature is 40 o F (4.4 o C) with a January average
of 10 o F (-12.2 o C) and July average of 66 o F (18.9 o C).
The WICCI downscaled data from 14 GCMs for the A1B scenario projects that northern Wisconsin will
likely experience an increase in average annual air temperature of 6.5 o F (3.6 o C) by the mid-21 st century
(Figure 1). Warming will be most pronounced in winter (increase of 8.5 o F, 4.7 o C) and least pronounced
in summer (increase of 6.5 o F, 3.6 o C) (Figure 2). Average annual precipitation is expected to increase by
2.0 inches with most of the increase occurring in fall, winter, and spring (Figure 3).
Figure 1. Projected increase in average annual air temperature for WI, A1B scenario
240 Assessing the Vulnerability of Watersheds to Climate Change