Why are temperatures rising in California?

Already subject to drought, wildfires, and extreme weather, California’s environmental and social problems will be exacerbated by a warmer world. Temperatures will continue to rise in coming decades due to greenhouse gases that are accumulating in the atmosphere from transportation, industry, and other human activity.

What is causing the temperature to rise?

Humans are increasingly influencing the climate and the earth’s temperature by burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests and farming livestock. This adds enormous amounts of greenhouse gases to those naturally occurring in the atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect and global warming.

How has climate change affect California wildfires?

During the recent “hotter” drought, unusually warm temperatures intensified the effects of very low precipitation and snowpack, creating conditions for extreme, high severity wildfires that spread rapidly. Of the 20 largest fires in California’s history, eight have occurred in the past three years (since 2017).

Why is the West heating up?

The heat comes from a high pressure system over the West, a buckle in the jet stream winds that move across the U.S. and vast swaths of soil sucked dry by a historic drought, said Marvin Percha, a senior meteorologist for the agency in Phoenix. “The record-breaking heat waves came in August and September.”

How much has the temperature risen in California?

Temperatures in California (orange line) have risen about 2°F since the beginning of the 20th century.

What was the hottest day in California?

July 10th, 1913
7:15 AM | *Hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth took place on July 10th, 1913 in Death Valley, California – a crazy year of weather*

Why does temperature increase in summer?

Because the earth’s axis is tilted. During the summer, the sun’s rays hit the Earth at a steep angle. The light does not spread out as much, thus increasing the amount of energy hitting any given spot. Also, the long daylight hours allow the Earth plenty of time to reach warm temperatures.

How is climate change affecting California?

Heat waves are becoming more common, snow is melting earlier in spring—and in southern California, less rain is falling as well. In the coming decades, the changing climate is likely to further decrease the supply of water, increase the risk of wildfires, and threaten coastal development and ecosystems.

What caused the California wildfires?

Abatzoglou noted that some of the harrowing scenes across Northern California in 2020 were due to an extreme and unusual dry lightning siege in mid-August that ignited thousands of fires in one night. “Climate change is aiding in the warming and the more rapid drying of fuels that predispose the land to large fires.”