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Key findings
Vermont is experiencing unprecedented weather extremes
The last five years have set records for extreme weather in Vermont, including the highest average winter temperature, greatest frequency of warm winter days and highest single-day rainfall on record. Drought conditions in 2025 were the most severe recorded since 2000. These increasingly extreme conditions are causing significant economic damage, including an estimated $1 billion from the July 2023 and July 2024 floods.
Vermont’s climate is becoming warmer, wetter, and more variable
Vermont’s climate is changing at an accelerating pace. Average annual temperatures have increased by 3.6°F since 1900, while annual precipitation has increased by 20%. Heavy precipitation is becoming more frequent, but rainfall is also becoming more variable, with intense storms increasingly interrupted by dry spells and drought.
Shifting seasons are transforming how Vermonters live, work, and play
Vermont’s seasons are changing, reshaping nearly every aspect of life. Shorter, less predictable winters threaten snow-dependent activities, while a longer but more variable growing season brings both opportunities and new challenges for farmers. Extreme heat, wildfire smoke and tick- and mosquito-borne diseases are also changing how Vermonters experience the outdoors.
A hotter Vermont increases risks to people, farms, and infrastructure
Vermont is experiencing more extreme heat. The number of days above 90°F has doubled since 1900, while warmer nights and rising humidity can intensify health risks. Heat also affects agriculture and infrastructure, increasing heat stress in livestock, accelerating road deterioration, and driving up electricity demand.
Water is a central climate challenge for Vermont, across all seasons and sectors
Climate change is changing Vermont’s water systems, from water quality to flooding. Warmer winters and increased winter runoff contribute more nutrients to Lake Champlain, while heavier precipitation and limited access to natural floodplains increase flood risks for communities, infrastructure, and waterways.
Climate risks are interconnected and compounding—requiring action now
Flooding, extreme heat, wildfire smoke, water contamination, and infrastructure disruptions can overlap and amplify one another. Preparing for these interconnected risks requires coordinated planning and investment in Vermont’s natural, physical, financial and social infrastructure.