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Ramsey County | Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 25 industrial zones dominate, with neighborhoods of single-family homes and high-density apartments, along with business districts and manufacturing centers. In terms of ownership, a significant portion of the land is privately owned, especially residential and commercial properties. Public lands, managed by county and city authorities, include parks, government buildings, and protected areas. The county has been actively balancing development with conservation efforts, particularly in managing urban sprawl and preserving green spaces. There are approximately 229,000 housing units, with close to 60% as owner-occupied. Almost 90% of the housing units were built prior to 2000. 2.9 Climate Change and Trends Climate trends in Ramsey County, Minnesota, are reflective of broader regional patterns in the Upper Midwest, which has been experiencing noticeable shifts due to climate change. Key trends, as reported by the University of Minnesota’s Climate Adaptation Partnership and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources include: • Rising Temperatures: Over the past few decades, Ramsey County has experienced a steady increase in average annual temperatures. Warmer winters, with fewer extreme cold days, are a prominent feature, though summers are also seeing more frequent heat waves. Ramsey County has already observed an average annual temperature increase of 3.5 degrees F, with much of this warming occurring during the coldest months of the year. • Increased Precipitation: There has been a rise in annual precipitation, with heavier rainfall events becoming more common. This trend is contributing to localized flooding and increased stormwater management challenges in urban areas like Saint Paul. The region has experienced an increase in annual precipitation of 4.1 inches, while statewide an increase of 3.3 inches annually has been observed. By the end of the century, winter and spring precipitation are expected to increase by 30%, as projected by the University of Minnesota’s Climate Adaptation Partnership. • Seasonal Shifts: Winters are becoming shorter and less severe, while springs and autumns are extending. Snowfall patterns are shifting, with less frequent but more intense snowstorms, followed by quicker melts. It has been observed that winters in Minnesota are warming dramatically, and spring weather is arriving up to two weeks earlier than in the early 1900s. Climate change is expected to continue altering the timing of the seasons in the future. Winters are predicted to become shorter, warmer, and wetter, with an increase in both spring and heavy precipitation. Summers are likely to grow longer and hotter, beginning earlier and extending later into the year. The last freeze of spring is projected to occur increasingly earlier, while the first freeze of fall will likely be delayed, further lengthening the growing season. • More Extreme Weather Events: The region, including Ramsey County, has seen more intense storms, such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flash flooding events. This is consistent with a broader trend toward more frequent and severe extreme weather across the Midwest. For example, the term “mega-rain” is used to describe when at least six inches of rain fall over an area of at least 1,000 square miles. Since 1973, Minnesota has experienced 16 mega-rains, 11 of