For more than 40 years, the annual average warming rate in the Yellow River irrigation area of Ningxia has been higher than the Chinese average rate, which has caused a significant impact on spring wheat production in the region. Based on the projected increase in global temperature over the next 50 years, this study was conducted to investigate the impact of an increase in temperature of 0.5-2.5℃. To accomplish this, a field experiment employing infrared radiators to increase the temperature was conducted and the effects on the growth and development of spring wheat in the yellow river irrigation area of Ningxia were investigated. When mean daily temperature increased by 2.0-2.5 ℃, the growth period decreased by 18-22 d, and the yield was reduced by 16.5%-18.5%. Temperature is generally conducive to crop photosynthesis; however, if the temperature is too high, it will inhibit photosynthesis, thereby affecting crop growth and development. In addition, higher temperatures are associated with increased transpiration, which also affects spring wheat growth and development. Warming also led to a significant increase in the transpiration rate during the three leaf stage, as well as a significant decrease in the photosynthetic rate. The three leaf stage of spring wheat is when spike differentiation occurs; accordingly, a decrease in the photosynthetic rate during this period could influence the grain number. In the booting stage, warming led to a decreased photosynthetic rate, which in turn led to decreased dry matter accumulation of grain weight, and ultimately influenced the output. Based on these findings, it is recommended that drought-resistant varieties and cultivation techniques, including, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control methods, be adopted in Ningxia in anticipation of climate change.