Described in some of the visualizations as "actual" temperature for 1950-2000, these data represent the historic measured temperatures for each pixel. These data are described in detail in the reference: Maurer, E.P., A.W. Wood, J.C. Adam, D.P. Lettenmaier, and B. Nijssen, 2002, A Long-Term Hydrologically-Based Data Set of Land Surface Fluxes and States for the Conterminous United States, J. Climate 15(22), 3237-3251
Projected monthly temperature data for tmax (high), tair (avg), and tmin (low). These data layers were downscaled using a bias correction and spatial downscaling (BCSD) approach and include data for four different models (PCM1, CCSM3, GFDL, CNRM) for two different scenarios (A2, B1).
For more information, view the full CEC report:
Climate Change Scenarios and Sea Level Rise Estimates for California - 2008 Climate Change Scenarios Assessment - Final Report
Date Published: September 2009
Projected monthly Snow Water Equivalent (amount of water contained within the snowpack). These data layers were downscaled using a bias correction and spatial downscaling (bcsd) approach and include data for four different models (PCM1, CCSM3, GFDL, CNRM) for two different scenarios (A2, B1).
These data include areas inundated by 100-year unimpeded Pacific coastal flooding under baseline (year 2000) conditions for the California Coastline, as well as areas inundated by 100-year unimpeded Pacific coastal flooding under a scenario of 1.4-meter (55-inch) sea-level rise. These data are available for download via the Pacific Institute.
These layers represent areas around San Francisco Bay at risk of inundation, and correspond to varying amounts of long-term sea level rise (varying over decades) in conjunction with various return levels corresponding to shorter-term variability (hours to years). Most of these areas are currently behind levees or other protective structures, and would only be inundated if those structures were to fail. These data are described in detail in the reference: Knowles, Noah. 2010. Potential Inundation Due to Rising Sea Levels in the San Francisco Bay Region. San Francisco Estuary and Watershed Science, 8:1. Available at
http://escholarship.org/uc/search?entity=jmie_sfews;volume=8;issue=1.
These data model the ratio of additional fire risk for an area as compared to the expected burned area for each grid cell. The ratio of additional risk was calculated for 30 year averaged periods ending 2020, 2050, and 2085, for four models (CCSM3, GFDL, PCM1, CNRM) and two scenarios (A2, B1). More detailed information about these data can be found in: Westerling, A. L., Bryant, B. P., 2008. Climate Change and Wildfire in California. Climatic Change (2008) 87 (Suppl 1): s231-s249
Projected changes in annual average temperatures for the high emissions scenario
Projected changes in April snow water equivalence for the high emissions scenario
Areas vulnerable to a 100-year flood event as sea level rises
Projected increase in area burned in 2085 for the high emissions scenario
To learn more about climate change in California, you can:
You are now viewing the projected change in annual average temperatures across California under a . The map above shows the projected difference in temperature between a baseline time period (1961-1990) and an end of century period (2070-2090).
Click on the map to display a chart of measured historical and projected future temperatures for a local area. In some areas, the average annual temperature is expected to go up by as much as 7 °F, while average monthly increases could be even higher.
Visit the decadal averages map to explore an animated view of temperatures changing over time. To view more detailed temperature projection charts, go to the monthly averages chart. Finally, if you're interested in seeing additional temperature differences maps (including individual months), visit the degrees of change map.
You are now viewing the projected changes in April snow water equivalence (SNWE) across California under a . The map above shows the projected difference in snow water equivalency between a baseline time period (1961-1990) and an end of century period (2070-2090). In some areas, up to 25 inches of snow water are expected to be lost in April over the next century. Click on the map to display a chart of projected snow water equivalency measures specific to a particular area. Visit the decadal averages map to explore an animated view of snow pack changing over time and by month.
You are now viewing areas vulnerable to a 100 year flood event as sea level rises. The blue areas on the map above indicate areas already in threat today, while the lighter shades are areas projected to also be in threat given the expected sea level rise. You can click a county along the coast to get an idea of the potential change in flood vulnerability.
Visit the threatened areas map to explore a more detailed view of this sea level rise data.
You are now viewing the projected increase in potential amount of area burned in 2085, as compared to present risk, across California under a for the CNRM model. The darker oranges and reds displayed on the map above suggest up to a 10-fold increase in potential area burned. Visit the threatened areas map to explore an animated view of fire risk changes over time.
2011 April 13
Climate change may significantly affect the operation of California's electric power system, in both the demand and supply sides. As temperatures rise, electricity demand will also increase to meet air conditioning and other cooling requirements. This in turn will further escalate the emission of greenhouse gases and the air pollution due to use of unclean sources of energy.
2011 April 12
Continued global warming will increase pressure on California’s water resources, which are already over-stretched by the demands of a growing economy and population. Decreasing snowmelt and spring stream flows coupled with increasing demand for water resulting from both a growing population and hotter climate could lead to increasing water shortages. By the end of the century, if temperatures rise to the medium warming range and precipitation decreases, late spring stream flow could decline by up to 30 percent. Agricultural areas could be hard hit, with California farmers losing as much as 25 percent of the water supply they need.
2011 April 12
As climate changes, it appears that summer dryness will begin earlier, last longer and become more intense. These changes may exacerbate fire occurrences, which have historically peaked in late summer and early fall. If temperatures rise into the medium warming range, the risk of large wildfires in California could increase by as much as 55 percent, which is almost twice the increase expected if temperatures stay in the lower warming range.
