WHERE TO LIVE IN AMERICA, 2100 A.D.

The times they are a changin’, but it’s not too late to secure yourself some prime future-proof real estate.

Season after season extreme weather bombards continental United States. Over the next 83 years, its cascading effects will force U.S. residents inward, upward, and away from newly uninhabitable areas. But don’t worry: We’ve mapped out how these factors will alter the country’s landscape in 2100. Now go nail a quality spot while the pickings are still slightly more plentiful.

DROUGHT

Almost the entire country is at a greater risk of drought, with the most significant dry spells in the Great Plains. We will all need to seriously ramp up our water-conservation efforts by using more-efficient techniques. This is especially true for croplands, which use around 70 percent of the world’s fresh water.

MOSQUITOES

Over the next century, mosquitoes that carry pathogens like Dengue and Zika are predicted to expand their range across the Southern and coastal states, sparing only the north central part of the U.S. Insecticides will help, but disease-carrying mosquitoes of this magnitude will require some backup plans.

WILDFIRES

As the West continues to heat up and dry out, wildfires will spread over larger areas. Earth scientists predict that in some states, these fires will burn 650 percent more land for every 1.8 degree Fahrenheit rise in temperature. This is bad news, as Western states could get hotter by up to 6.5 degrees Fahrenheit as we hit the middle of the century.

TORNADOES

As air warms, by 2080, the resulting rise in water-vapor concentration will make tornadoes more severe and frequent in the Southeast. Plus, the number of tornadoes each year will be extremely unpredictable. So if you live in a home without a basement, your best bet for shelter is an interior windowless room, closet, or hallway.

HURRICANES

Climatologists don’t expect the total number of hurricanes America experiences to increase during this century. But they do predict that the number of strong (Category 4 or 5) ones will double by 2100. To top that off, these future storms could peak farther north, so Northeastern cities like New York City and Boston will get hit harder than they do today.

SEA-LEVEL RISE

Geologists predict sea levels could rise up to 6.6 feet by 2100. This will affect coastal communities most, and flood zones and areas at risk of storm surge will move farther inland, making cities like New Orleans, Miami, and New York particularly vulnerable. So if you live near the coast, take a drive inland and tour your  inevitable future home.

Your New Home

Let’s all move to Sault Ste. Marie! Nestled in Michigan’s upper peninsula, this small city will be only slightly warmer than it is now (don’t sweat it; you can still ice fish) and will be lucky enough to escape most of the changes wreaking havoc on the rest of the country.

Written by Peter Hess in "Popular Science", USA, January/February 2017, excerpt p.32. Adapted and illustrated to be posted by Leopoldo Costa.