Climate change in California

Climate change is affecting locations like California in a variety of ways. In fall, these impacts include potentially hazardous atmospheric rivers, increased cooling demand, and more frequent fire weather.

Explore these pages to learn how people in California are at risk in a warming world.

Since 1970, average annual temperatures in California have gotten 3°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Warming puts people and ecosystems at risk from more frequent and intense extreme weather.
Overall, the contiguous U.S. is about 2.8°F warmer today than in 1970, based on average temperatures.
Data source: NCEI Climate at a Glance

Since 1970, California's annual precipitation has decreased by 2.3 inches.

Climate change is supercharging the water cycle and bringing heavier precipitation extremes across the U.S.
For every 1°F of warming, the air can hold 4% more moisture, increasing the chances of heavier downpours that contribute to flash flooding hazards.
Data source: NCEI Climate at a Glance

California's climate threats in include:

About 72% of California is currently in drought or abnormally dry.

Rising temperatures are worsening the risk of drought in parts of the U.S.
Droughts can lead to crop failure or pasture losses, impact water supplies, affect public health, degrade ecosystems, and increase the amount of fuel for wildfires by drying grasses and forests.
The map shows the percentage of land area that is abnormally dry (category D0) or in drought (categories D1-4). This is according to the U.S. Drought Monitor's drought classification scale.
Data source: U.S. Drought Monitor

Since 1970, average fall temperatures in California have gotten 3.2°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Fall warming means that risky heat, fire weather, and allergies linger later into the year.
Data source: NCEI Climate at a Glance

The sea level in California is projected to rise 0.6 feet by 2050 even if nations meet their pledged commitments to reduce heat-trapping pollution.

Increasing flood risk is driven by our warming climate, which is causing sea levels around the world to rise. Rising sea levels push tides and storm surges higher and farther inland.
Climate Central’s Coastal Risk Finder provides maps and analysis of the people, homes, and land in the U.S. projected to be at risk from worsening coastal flooding driven by rising seas.

Explore some ways climate change is affecting California in fall

Warmer and wetter atmospheric rivers

Warming boosts moisture, making storms wetter, stronger, and costlier.

Key concepts:

Atmospheric rivers move huge amounts of moisture from tropics to poles.
When they hit land, they unleash intense rain and snow across U.S. regions.
In the West, they provide vital water and drought relief.
Back-to-back storms can trigger floods, landslides, avalanches, and levee breaks.
Warming boosts their moisture, making storms wetter, stronger, and costlier.

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Higher cooling demand for schools

Hotter summers and longer warm seasons make cooling schools a growing challenge.

Key concepts:

Hotter summers and longer warm seasons make cooling schools a growing challenge.
Cooling is essential for student and staff health and safety.
Since 1970, cooling demand during back-to-school season rose in 95% of U.S. locations analyzed.
Rising demand means schools face costly upgrades to keep classrooms safe and comfortable.

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More fire weather

Wildfire seasons are lengthening and intensifying.

Key concepts:

Climate Central analyzed U.S. fire weather (hot, dry, windy conditions) from 1973–2024.
Wildfire seasons are lengthening and intensifying, especially in the West.
Fire weather is rising most in spring nationwide

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Impacts to food prices

Extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains.

Key concepts:

Food and climate change are closely linked. Food systems account for about one-quarter of all heat-trapping pollution.
Meanwhile, extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains — all of which can drive food prices higher.
The availability, quality, and affordability of food reflect a complex set of climatic and socioeconomic factors. Emerging research is providing insight into the role of climate change.

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More graphics about California and climate change

Browse climate-related graphics for all seasons localized for California, available for download and use consistent with our Terms of use.

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Climate change in California

California's climate threats in fall include:

Explore some ways climate change is affecting California in fall

Discover more nearby

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California's climate threats in include: