Early Spring Arrival Impacts Agriculture and Ecosystems in Missouri
Spring is arriving earlier in much of the United States, particularly in the central and southern Midwest regions. According to the USA National Phenology Network, spring has arrived three to five weeks earlier than the average from 1991 to 2020 in the central U.S., and two to three weeks earlier in southern Midwest states. This shift is affecting agriculture, ecosystems, and even human health, as noted by Joe Lau, a row crop farmer in St. Joseph, Missouri. Lau has observed more extreme weather patterns, increased pest pressure on crops, and heightened allergy issues due to the early onset of spring. Climate Central's analysis indicates that spring is trending earlier from 1981 to 2025 across most of the United States, with leaves emerging six days earlier on average in 88% of major U.S. cities. 
