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Applied and Extension

Perceived Impacts of Extreme Weather and Changing Weather Patterns in Kentucky Shristi Adhikari*, Shristi Adhikari, Buddhi Gyawali,

Extreme weather events have become one of the significant challenges of the 21st century. Historically, Kentucky has experienced such a significant shift in weather patterns, with an increasing number of events such as droughts, floods, storms, etc., all of which have greatly affected daily life. Despite scientific evidence of the growing impacts of changes in weather variability, people’s perceptions remain mixed. Some question the causes of these changes, while others may recognize them but feel uncertain about their capacity to respond. This study, conducted in Kentucky in 2025, explored how individuals perceive the impacts of changes in weather events and their willingness to act on them. Preliminary findings suggest that the heatwaves and floods were the most observed weather occurrences; the majority of the respondents have believed in changes in weather events, have noticed shifts in weather patterns over the years, and are concerned about their impact on future generations. Thus, the findings of this study are expected to support outreach programs by providing evidence that enables them to understand the gap between awareness and action needed.