Global Climate Projections Dashboard: Average Annual Precipitation Change Projections

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Precipitation Change

 

Visualize projected future changes in annual precipitation across the West due to climate change in the mid-21st century (2040-2069), relative to baseline of 1970-1999.

 

To get started: 

Select a Scenario, Major Reclamation River Basin or State to filter.

 

Click on the map for detailed information.

Search for a specific location or zoom in by scrolling.

 

Note: The data on the map and indicators will change based on your selections across different scenarios.
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This dashboard is an interactive tool used to explore precipitation climate models highlighted within the 2021 SECURE Water Act Report. Downscaled CMIP5 Climate and Hydrology Projections available at GDO.
Map Legend

 
What's Being Displayed

Annual Precipitation Change is displayed on the map for the selected Scenarios and River Basins. Values are averages from 32 global climate models downscaled using the LOCA approach. As your selections change, the information below will update to show the average, minimum, and maximum projected precipitation change averaged across the area in view.

 

Takeaway:  In both the lower and higher scenarios, annual precipitation is projected to increase in the Northwest and decline in the Southwest. Note: There is greater uncertainty in projections of future precipitation than with projections of future temperature. 

Scenario Comparison

Compare precipitation changes between the Lower (RCP 4.5) and Higher (RCP 8.5) climate change scenarios that vary based on greenhouse gas concentrations. View results below.

Lower Scenario

(RCP 4.5)

Avg Percent Change
-5.6%
Min
9.6%
Max

Higher Scenario

(RCP 8.5)

Avg Percent Change
-7.3%
Min
10.5%
Max