Data to Decisions: Utilizing Climate Data to Inform Municipal Planning in the Lower Missouri River Basin

Nearly every sector can benefit from the use of climate data and information to make better-informed decisions, whether it is a farmer looking to reduce irrigation costs or a transportation company determining shipping loads. Deciding which information to use, where to obtain it, and how to use it is often a stumbling block for those looking to incorporate climate data into their daily, seasonal, or annual practices. With climate change impacting sectors all across the world, the need for the translation and transformation of climate data and information into useful forms is critical now, more than ever. Increasingly, city leaders are considering climate data and information as a guide for their comprehensive plans. While there are a plethora of climate and climate change resources available, there are barriers to the use of these resources. In order to break down these barriers, this study aimed to understand and address the climate information needs for municipalities in communities in the Midwest and Great Plains, across the four-state region of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Through a mixed-method approach, tailored climate information in the form of reports and online tools were developed to aid in the incorporation of climate data and information into municipal plans across the region