Most people think about global warming during the dog days of summer. But temperatures are rising in the winter too, and that means less snow.

Winter climate change raises important science and policy questions. A decrease in frigid nights means fewer frozen pipes and failing furnaces. We might also expect less ice-related accidents and the spread of species that are adapted to milder climates

In the Northeast, water quality and pancake breakfasts are now among the potential victims of a warming world.

Produced in collaboration with WAMC Northeast Public Radio, this podcast originally aired on January 1, 2012.

Not just hot summers, climate change will affect winter, too | Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies