As per the [climate2000] update, it was decided the weather and climate needed a bit of shaking-up to keep the gameplay interesting and non-trivial. You can counteract it by exiting the game and hoping to respawn in a better area. Though honestly, just give it a try. Maybe it will work out better than anticipated.

It's just another one of those little balancing features.
Will make a real difference in the long term, combined with other updates.