what kinds of changes in their surroundings might they have noticed, and how long did such changes last?

Question

in the century just before columbus's voyage in 1492 the native americans living in the northern united states and canada must have noticed a significant change in climate

Answer 1

Climatic change is often incremental, occurring with small, almost unnoticeable changes in temperature, rainfall, seasonal differences, etc. Changes as often change back as well, making only small foreword movement. So they just aren't that noticeable to a people who didn't have sophisticated ways to measure change. Yet Indians did have some means that we largely ignore today. They noticed things in their natural environment, such as plant growth, and other phenomenon that made them aware that something was happening.

If I'm not mistaken, the period of the 15th Century was one of decline in the small ice age that had been in North America for centuries before. It was not a major event, as was the one which took place likely thousands of years previously. But it was enough of an event so that the Indians of the region could see changes over the years, and decades. I don't think the changes were terrifically severe, possibly some minor warming year to year, but very cold winters remained. These are conjectures on my part from only partial study of glaciology and physical geology in college and avid reading about the American Indians from the time of the Conquistadors to the present.

Answer 2

Yes, but they should have been prepared for it if they had watched the weather forecast on ABC Tv.................