This study seeks to analyze how precipitation patterns and precipitation variance in the Great Lakes Region have changed over time with respect to climate change. This was done by looking at both long-term precipitation totals and at the timing and variation of precipitation events. Precipitation data was retrieved from the Global Historical Climatology Network database and was downloaded if there were at least 80% of precipitation values present over a 60-year period of record. SPSS was utilized to calculate the long-term precipitation totals and to determine if there has been a significant difference between the historical and current reference period in the number of extreme precipitation events that have occurred. The study has so far shown that there has been an increase in extreme precipitation events; however, there has been a decrease in the frequency of these events occurring. These results could indicate that anthropogenic climate change is responsible for these precipitation changes. An increase in the severity of precipitation events could make the region more susceptible to extreme drought with extended periods of time between extreme flooding events when rainfall does occur. This could have several implications for the region, including diminished crop yields, excessive runoff into local streams, and widespread erosion.
