Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Chemicals and Toxics
    • Climate Change
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Environmental Justice
    • Greener Living
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Pesticides
    • Radon
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Guidance
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • EPA Administrator
    • Organization Chart
    • Staff Directory
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Jobs and Internships
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Lab and Research Centers
Contact Us

Climate Change Indicators in the United States

  • Climate Change is Happening Now

    EPA's indicators provide important evidence of what climate change looks like in the U.S.
    Discover »

  • Seasonal Changes and Climate

    EPA’s report uses indicators to explore how seasonal patterns are changing throughout the United States.

    Learn more »

  • Spring Frost

    The last spring frost is occurring earlier in many places, affecting when and how plants grow. 

  • Heat Waves in U.S. Cities

    Heat waves in most large U.S. cities are occurring more often and the average heat wave season is longer. 

    See the indicator »

Useful Links
  • Discover EPA's indicators
  • Climate Indicators Explorer
  • Community Connections StoryMap
  • Indicators Overview StoryMap
  • Frequent questions
  • Seasonality and Climate Change Report

About EPA's Indicators

The Earth's climate is changing. Temperatures are rising, snow and rainfall patterns are shifting, and more extreme climate events – like heavy rainstorms and record high temperatures – are already happening. Many of these observed changes are linked to the rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, caused by human activities.

EPA partners with more than 50 data contributors from various government agencies, academic institutions, and other organizations to compile a key set of indicators related to the causes and effects of climate change. These indicators also provide important input to the National Climate Assessment and other efforts to understand and track the science and impacts of climate change. Explore the indicators below. Learn more about EPA's indicators. 

Discover Climate Change Indicators

Greenhouse Gases

Icon for Greenhouse Gases Climate Indicator

Greenhouse Gases Summary

  • U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Atmospheric Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases
  • Climate Forcing

Weather and Climate

Icon for Weather and Climate Climate Indicators

Weather and Climate Summary

  • U.S. and Global Temperature
  • Seasonal Temperature
  • High and Low Temperatures
  • Heat Waves
  • U.S. and Global Precipitation
  • Heavy Precipitation
  • Tropical Cyclone Activity
  • River Flooding
  • Drought
  • A Closer Look: Temperature and Drought in the Southwest

Oceans

Icon for Oceans Climate Indicators

Oceans Summary

  • Ocean Heat
  • Sea Surface Temperature
  • Sea Level
  • A Closer Look: Land Loss Along the Atlantic Coast
  • Coastal Flooding
  • Ocean Acidity

Snow and Ice

Icon for Snow and Ice Climate Indicators

Snow and Ice Summary

  • Arctic Sea Ice
  • Antarctic Sea Ice
  • Ice Sheets
  • Glaciers
  • A Closer Look: The Glaciers of Glacier National Park
  • Lake Ice
  • Great Lakes Ice Cover
  • Community Connection: Ice Breakup in Three Alaskan Rivers
  • Snowfall
  • Snow Cover
  • Snowpack
  • Permafrost
  • Freeze-Thaw Conditions

Health and Society

Icon for Health and Society Climate Indicators

Health and Society Summary

  • Climate Connection: Climate Change and Human Health
  • Heat-Related Deaths
  • Heat-Related Illnesses
  • Cold-Related Deaths
  • Heating and Cooling Degree Days
  • Residential Energy Use
  • Lyme Disease
  • West Nile Virus
  • Length of Growing Season
  • Growing Degree Days
  • Ragweed Pollen Season

Ecosystems

Icon for Ecosystems Climate Indicators

Ecosystems Summary

  • Wildfires
  • Streamflow
  • Stream Temperature
  • Tribal Connection: Trends in Stream Temperature in the Snake River
  • Lake Temperature
  • Great Lakes Water Levels and Temperatures
  • Bird Wintering Ranges
  • A Closer Look: The Black Guillemots of Cooper Island
  • Marine Species Distribution
  • Leaf and Bloom Dates
  • Community Connection: Cherry Blossom Bloom Dates in Washington, D.C.

Related EPA Topics

  • Climate Change Home
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Climate Change Research

Additional Climate Change Data Resources

  • U.S. Global Change Research Program Indicators
  • National Climate Assessment
  • NOAA’s Climate.gov
  • NOAA’s State of the Climate
  • NASA's Climate Change and Global Warming
  • NASA’s Vital Signs
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data.gov
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Open Government
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.

Last updated on March 31, 2022