U.S. States See Uneven Warming Trends

Climate change impacts vary widely by region, with some areas experiencing hotter highs and others milder lows.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:00pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of grey, blue, and green, with a heavy, overcast sky looming over a distant horizon. The scale of the natural environment dwarfs any physical structures or objects, conveying a sense of the overwhelming power and indifference of the elements.As the effects of climate change manifest unevenly across the United States, the sublime power of nature serves as a reminder of the urgent need for localized adaptation strategies.Washington Today

A new study published in the journal PLOS Climate found that while the majority of U.S. states (55%) have recorded higher average temperatures between 1950 and 2021, the impacts of climate change are playing out unevenly across the country. Some regions, like the American West, are seeing higher annual temperature extremes, while a 'Warming Hole' in the South has experienced relatively smaller temperature increases.

Why it matters

The uneven warming patterns revealed in the study have significant implications for public policy, as changes in high and low temperatures can strain public health systems, affect agriculture, and shape how communities perceive and respond to climate risks. Understanding these regional differences is crucial for developing effective, localized climate adaptation strategies.

The details

The study, led by researchers at the University of Zaragoza in Spain, analyzed more than 26,000 daily temperature readings for all 48 contiguous U.S. states. They found that 84% of states had increases in at least part of their temperature range, with 55% recording higher average temperatures overall. However, the impacts varied greatly by region. States in the American West, including California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming, are seeing higher annual temperature extremes. Meanwhile, a 'Warming Hole' in the South, encompassing states like Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas, have experienced the smallest temperature increases in recent years.

  • The study analyzed temperature data from 1950 to 2021.
  • The findings were published in the journal PLOS Climate on February 4, 2026.

The players

María Dolores Gadea Rivas

A researcher at the University of Zaragoza in Spain who led the study.

PLOS Climate

The academic journal that published the study on the uneven warming trends across the United States.

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What they’re saying

“We show that most U.S. states are warming in specific parts of the temperature distribution, even when average warming is not statistically significant. This reveals strong regional inequalities in how climate change is experienced across the United States.”

— María Dolores Gadea Rivas, Researcher, University of Zaragoza

What’s next

The researchers suggest that the method used in this study could be applied to analyze other climate-related changes, such as rising sea levels and precipitation patterns, to further understand the uneven impacts of climate change across different regions.

The takeaway

This study highlights the importance of taking a localized approach to climate policy and adaptation strategies, as the effects of global warming are being experienced unevenly across the United States. Policymakers will need to consider the unique challenges and vulnerabilities of each region in order to develop effective, targeted solutions.