Climate Change Indicators: U.S. and Global Precipitation

Environmental Protection Agency

This graphic indicator describes trends in average precipitation for the United States and the world.

This Static Visualization builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

It would be beneficial to develop learning activities around the visualization to facilitate student learning.
For more information on precipitation trends look at the related URL for the graphics on "Heavy Precipitation."

This resource focuses on observed changes in precipitation across the US and the world.
On average, there is an increased amount of annual precipitation. On a regional level, some areas are experiencing increased precipitation whereas other areas are experiencing a decrease.
The regional map of the US displays the percent change in precipitation allowing viewers to understand the spatial variability.

This resource from the EPA is a useful compendium that explains and illustrates the relationship between climate change and weather through observed precipitation data. This page focuses on US and Global Precipitation trends.
The static visuals are varied and easy to read and understand.
There are descriptions beneath the graphics that discuss the depicted data.
There are key points about the interpretations of the graphics, background information on precipitation and climate, and links to more information on the data below the graphics.

Very easy to access and view online. Website also provides PDFs of all graphs and information for downloading.

Entered the Collection: June 2020 | Last Reviewed: January 2025