Minnesota’s expanding mosquito season; Climate Cast 9 am Wednesday

Don't look now, but the 2017 growing season is almost here.

One of the interesting metrics of our warmer climate in Minnesota? Frost-free seasons are getting longer.

The trend of a longer frost-free season, also called the growing season, is remarkably consistent over the past 30+ years.

In fact 2016 produced the longest growing season on record in the Twin Cities. The incredible 219 day growing season is an astounding 52 days longer than the 30-year average of 167 days. It also blew away the previous record by 11 days. The 2016 growing season in the Twin Cities was more typical for Dallas.

Mosquitoes like it too

One effect of longer frost free seasons in Minnesota? More days for our 'Minnesota State Bird' to thrive.

A study presented by Climate Central shows our warmer climate has added an average of 42 "ideal mosquito climate days" annually in the Twin Cities.

The Twin Cities is used to being ranked near the top of 'quality of life' lists. I'm not sure this is one list we should brag about.

The reality of longer mosquito and tick seasons in Minnesota has impacts on public health. Increased rates of mosquito and tick borne disease are among the negative impacts. Our longer frost-free seasons in Minnesota come with a price.

Climate Cast 9 am Wednesday

Please join me for a special hour-long Climate Cast Wednesday morning at 9 am CDT on MPR News Stations. This is a very busy week for climate science and policy news. It's a packed show Wednesday morning.

Here are some of the stories we'll discuss.

 In Depth on Climate Opinion in the U.S.

Climate change opinion in the USA and Minnesota: Studies show an increase in those who accept climate change in the USA. How do the numbers break down for Minnesota? Do people have an "optimism bias" that climate change impact will harm others, but not affect them?

Guest – Anthony Leiserowitz, Director, Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

I'll check in with MPR News Climate reporter Elizabeth Dunbar. She reports on what rural MN schools are doing with solar panels.

Clean Power Plan changes

Capital Weather Gang's Jason Samenow will join me to discuss President Trump's executive order to undo President Obama’s clean power plan. Also, Wednesday the House Science Committee meets to talk about climate science.

Guest – Jason Samenow, weather editor at the Washington Post and Capital Weather Gang's chief meteorologist

Mega Snows in the Sierras.

Snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountain range is making a much needed comeback. After years of drought in California, this year’s snowfall is at 173 percent higher than recent averages.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD climate researcher Dan Cayan joins me for perceptive.

I hope you can join me Wednesday morning at 9 am.