Vermont has warmed an average of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900, while heavier rain, shorter winters and longer growing seasons are changing risks for towns and farms, a new statewide assessment finds.
The University of Vermont released the Vermont Climate Assessment 2025 on Oct. 23, 2026.
The executive summary says average annual precipitation has increased by 7.3 inches since 1900. Days with more than an inch of rain have become 40% more frequent over that period.
More rain over a year does not mean dependable moisture throughout the growing season. The assessment describes intense storms separated by dry periods, including the statewide 2025 drought, which it calls the most severe since 2000.
Winter is changing fastest
Winter temperatures have increased 4.6 degrees since 1900, more than any other season, according to the assessment. More winter precipitation now falls as rain.
The freeze-free growing season has lengthened by almost 24 days since 1900. That gives crops a longer potential growing window but does not eliminate losses from floods, drought or poorly timed freezes.
Warming is also accelerating. The assessment calculates an annual-temperature increase of 0.3 degrees per decade across the past 65 years, rising to 0.8 degrees per decade across the past 35.
Risks reach beyond the thermometer
The assessment connects weather shifts with infrastructure damage, disruptions to food production and changes in recreation. It describes how flooding can damage wastewater plants and roads while dry conditions reduce hydroelectric generation.
Its account of the July 2023 floods identifies damage to 23 wastewater treatment plants. The broader research also examines risks for forests, wildlife, human health and energy systems.
Nearly 200 experts and practitioners contributed. The assessment combines historical measurements, research and sector-specific analysis, with different time periods for different indicators.