Hourly rainfall rate increasing across Michiana

 

Michiana mainly missed the heavy rain this past weekend. That trend continued Monday, as most spots saw rain amounts under a quarter of an inch to start the work week. 

Climate change is making days of light rain less common, however. According to Climate Central, South Bend is one of many U.S. locations that has seen an increase in frequency and intensity of rainfall events over the past 50 years.

Climate Central

136 of 150 U.S. locations analyzed by Climate Central have experienced increasing hourly rainfall intensity since 1970. However, some of the biggest increases were across the Midwest. 

This year has already featured five days of heavy rain (daily rainfall of 1 inch or more) in South Bend. We're currently on pace for a top-ten finish in precipitation for the 2023 calendar year. 

Michiana should get a break this week from rain, as sunny skies will prevail until the start of the weekend.