Climate change in Sioux City, Iowa

Climate change is affecting locations like Sioux City in a variety of ways. In fall, these impacts include more unusually warm days, heavier rain, and greater health risks from humid heat.

Explore these pages to learn how people in Sioux City are at risk in a warming world.

Since 1970, average annual temperatures in Sioux City have gotten 1.7°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Warming puts people and ecosystems at risk from more frequent and intense extreme weather.
Overall, the contiguous U.S. is about 2.8°F warmer today than in 1970, based on average temperatures.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

Since 1970, Sioux City's annual precipitation has increased by 4.7 inches.

Climate change is supercharging the water cycle and bringing heavier precipitation extremes across the U.S.
For every 1°F of warming, the air can hold 4% more moisture, increasing the chances of heavier downpours that contribute to flash flooding hazards.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

As of October 9, 2026, Sioux City has experienced 27 days this year with temperatures made twice as likely by climate change.

This is according to the Climate Shift Index (CSI), which quantifies the influence of human-caused climate change on daily average temperatures. Temperatures on these days had a CSI level 2 or higher, which indicates local temperatures were at least two times more likely due to climate change.
The CSI ranges from -5 to +5. Positive levels indicate temperatures made more likely due to climate change (while negative scores indicate conditions made less likely).
Data source: Climate Shift Index

Sioux City's climate threats in include:

During the past 20 years, Iowa experienced 40 more billion-dollar disasters from severe storms compared to the previous 20 years.

As the planet warms, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, resulting in devastating losses.
This data shows how the total number of severe storms with at least one billion dollars in damages has changed from 1980-1999 to 2005-2024.
Data source: NCEI U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters

Sioux City has experienced a 29% change in hourly rainfall intensity since 1970.

As the climate has warmed over recent decades, the most extreme precipitation days have become more intense across the U.S.
This data uses the simple hourly rainfall intensity index, or the total annual rainfall amount divided by the total hours of rainfall each year (inches per hour). An increase indicates more rain is falling per hour. NOAA’s Rain Rate Visualizer videos show various hourly rainfall rates.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

Since 1979, Sioux City has experienced 5 fewer days with a heat index above 90°F.

Heat is dangerous. When high temperatures are combined with high humidity, the health risks multiply.
The heat index incorporates relative humidity and is more useful than air temperature alone in determining heat-related health risks.
Data source: gridMET

Since 1970, average fall temperatures in Sioux City have gotten 2.1°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Fall warming means that risky heat, fire weather, and allergies linger later into the year.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

Explore some ways climate change is affecting Sioux City in fall

More warm fall days

Fall (September-November) has warmed nationwide since 1970.

Key concepts:

Fall (September - November) has warmed nationwide since 1970.
Warming is nationwide, strongest in the Southwest.
Hotter falls extend risks from heat, wildfire, allergies, and more.

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Heavier rainfall rates

Heavier rain threatens people, ecosystems, and infrastructure nationwide.

Key concepts:

Climate change is supercharging the water cycle, driving heavier rainfall and flood risk.
126 U.S. cities (88%) have seen an increase in hourly rainfall intensity since 1970.
Increases have occurred in every U.S. region but are highest in the Upper Midwest, Northern Rockies & Plains, and Ohio Valley.
Heavier rain threatens people, ecosystems, and infrastructure nationwide.

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More dangerous heat

Climate change is driving hotter, longer, and more frequent extreme heat.

Key concepts:

Climate change is driving hotter, longer, and more frequent extreme heat — the deadliest U.S. weather hazard.
Heat combined with humidity multiplies health risks.
Rising humidity slows sweat evaporation, straining the body’s cooling system and causing dangerous heat stress.

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Changes in severe storms

Certain conditions favorable to thunderstorms and tornadoes are occurring more often

Key concepts:

Severe storms make up half of U.S. billion-dollar disasters since 1980.
Climate change is shifting storm conditions into new seasons and regions.

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Impacts to food prices

Extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains.

Key concepts:

Food and climate change are closely linked. Food systems account for about one-quarter of all heat-trapping pollution.
Meanwhile, extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains — all of which can drive food prices higher.
The availability, quality, and affordability of food reflect a complex set of climatic and socioeconomic factors. Emerging research is providing insight into the role of climate change.

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Climate change in Sioux City, Iowa

Sioux City's climate threats in fall include:

Explore some ways climate change is affecting Sioux City in fall

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Sioux City's climate threats in include: