Chico Climate History 2020-2037
The following “historic events” are based on the projections from Cal-Adapt. The graphic data presented on Cal-Adapt is not meant to show actual future conditions but rather potential conditions and trends. We averaged the data from 2032-2042, for example, to arrive at our projections for 2037.
By 2037, Cal-Adapt projects both high (78.7) and low (51.7) temperatures in Chico will be four degrees warmer on average and there will be 27 extreme heat days per year. Annual precipitation is projected to rise to 26” on average, while snow pack is expected to shrink considerably, from 4.0” to 0.4”. The area burned by wildfire will remain 75 acres on average. Cooling degree Days will increase 50% from 1400 to 2100.
For the “historic events” you need to write the Dispatches, however, I treated the average climate projections as an annual data record. Please use the potential climate history below to write your Dispatches From the Future.
Extreme Heat:
- Two-week extreme heat wave in September in 2021
- Four days over 105 degrees over May graduation weekend in 2030
Wildfire:
- The 2020’s were the decade of fires – three large (250+) fires in seven years
- Chico – 2023 – 300 acres - Bidwell Park
- Forest Ranch and Cohasset as well – a week over 107
- Plumas County – 2026 – 15,000 acres
- Butte County – 2028 – 8,000 acres
Precipitation:
- Drought; well below average three years (2031-2034)
- Record heat third year 2 additional degrees above rising average
- 35 days extreme heat
- Creek runs dry
- Followed by flood year 2035
- Whipsaw effect – average is 26”
- Three years of 14” or under (14”,12”,10”)
- Three years of 40” and over (43, 42, 44)52”)
- 2035 saw 44” of rain – atmospheric river
- Snowpack
- 2031 – “The year without a winter.”
- No snow in Butte Meadows – 0.0 - 2031
- Low temperature never goes under 32
- 54.5 average minimum
- 2031 – “The year without a winter.”
