This post examines a string of severe weather events that struck Addison County, Vermont, this past summer — from a sudden, tree-toppling thunderstorm on the Middlebury campus to an intense heatwave and drought that elevated wildfire risk.
Drawing on three decades of experience in climate science and land stewardship, I explain what happened, why these events fit broader regional trends, and how campus managers are adapting landscaping to increase resilience.
Summer storms and their immediate impacts
The July 10 thunderstorm in Middlebury was a stark demonstration of how quickly convective storms can become destructive in our changing climate.
Winds strong enough to fell a dozen trees and damage scores more suggest increased storm intensity even in regions historically considered temperate.
Damage patterns, disruptions, and uneven impacts
On campus, crews reported 10 to 12 trees toppled and another ~25 damaged, creating weeks of cleanup and repair work.
Students described near-zero visibility during the peak of the storm, with drivers forced to pull over to wait out the conditions.
Municipal impacts extended beyond campus: Middlebury Union High School required repairs to a roughly 4,000-square-foot roof.
Many neighborhood streets saw debris and downed limbs.
Notably, the storm’s footprint was patchy — areas near Davis Library were hard hit while the north campus remained largely untouched.
This spatial variability is typical of strong convective cells and complicates emergency response and restoration prioritization.
Heat, drought and increasing wildfire risk
Only weeks after the storm, the region experienced prolonged heat and dry conditions that triggered a National Weather Service heat advisory and heightened fire danger.
This sequence — abrupt heavy precipitation events followed by heat and drought — mirrors patterns expected from a warming climate.
Human ignition risks and precautionary measures
During the drought period a small fire near McCullough Student Center, started by a discarded cigarette, underscored how quickly human actions can spark wildfire in dry fuels.
Middlebury staff proactively closed the Knoll fire pit to reduce ignition sources while conditions remained hazardous.
Practical adaptation: reshaping campus landscapes
In response to recent events, campus grounds crews are adjusting planting and maintenance strategies to emphasize resilience.
This is not just reactive cleanup; it’s an intentional redesign of the urban-forest mosaic to better tolerate future climate conditions.
Species selection and management priorities
One notable change is the move toward greater tree-species diversity and the introduction of specimens expected to thrive in warmer conditions, such as select oak species.
Oaks are being prioritized because of their drought tolerance, long-term canopy benefits, and support for native biodiversity.
- Increase species diversity to reduce uniform vulnerability to pests, disease, and storm damage.
- Select climate-resilient trees (e.g., oaks and other late-successional species) suited to projected temperature and moisture regimes.
- Improve soil health and mulching to boost water retention and root resilience during droughts.
- Update emergency plans for rapid debris removal and targeted pruning to reduce future storm damage.
As Vermont continues to warm and precipitation patterns shift, institutions like Middlebury serve as microcosms of broader regional challenges.
Adaptive landscaping, improved emergency preparedness, and sustained monitoring are practical steps that local leaders can take now to reduce risk and support ecological resilience.
Here is the source article for this story: Severe summer weather in Middlebury prompts climate concerns