A computer program that predicts regional climate change reveals that that global warming won?t be as severe in the central United States as in other parts of the country. This area includes Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Atmospheric scientist Zaitao Pan says, "The modeling showed that warming in the United States will be stronger in winter than summer and stronger at night than during the day, but we found what looked to us like a 'hole' in the daytime warming in summer, which was a surprise. We found that, in fact, this hole already has started to develop.

"Our model tells us the future climate will have more rainfall and wetter soil, so more of the sun's energy goes into evaporating water than heating the air. Rainfall in the northern Great Plains already has increased by about 10 percent over the past few decades, which is consistent with our predictions."

This area encompasses part of the "farm belt," which has lost much population in recent decades. It will be interesting to see if people start moving back, once the weather becomes warmer.

Sometimes the best way to protect yourself is to follow your instincts.