Minn, Wis among fastest warming states

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A new study by a climate group says Minnesota and Wisconsin are among the fastest-warming states in the country since 1970.

Climate Central says Minnesota ranks third for the period from 1970 to 2011, warming by an average of 0.62 degrees per decade. Wisconsin is fourth, warming by an average of 0.61 per decade.

The group, which advocates for lower carbon emissions, says when data from the past 100 year is studied, Minnesota's average temperature rose 0.23 per decade, placing the state ninth in the country. Wisconsin is 16th, warming an average 0.18 per decade.

Minnesota state climatologist Pete Boulay tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press a big factor in the warming trend is a lack of significantly cold winters.