City of Irvine
2020 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Figure 3-3: Statewide Drought Conditions as of February 4, 2020
Climate Change Considerations
Climate change is anticipated to abate drought in certain situations but, on the other hand, could also intensify and exacerbate it in other cases. In some cases, climate change-intensified weather patterns, like ENSO, may bring more rain to California and Irvine, which would abate drought conditions. In other years, climate change may also prolong the La Niña phase of ENSO, which could lead to longer periods with no precipitation in California. Climate change is also expected to increase the average temperature and cause more frequent and prolonged heat waves in California and Irvine. During these events, water supplies may be diverted for cooling functions in the City. Hotter temperatures may also lead to increased surface water evaporation, which could lead to greater water consumption. If a drought were to occur during a future heatwave, it could place the water supply under strain. From a regional perspective, warmer overall temperatures in California are anticipated to lead to a reduction in statewide water supplies. M uch of California’s water comes from melted snow in the High Sierra. As the average temperature grows warmer with climate change, the amount of precipitation that falls as snow is expected to shift towards rain. As less snow falls, the amount of melted water from the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada will decrease, reducing the water that will flow into the reservoirs and aqueducts that supply Southern California. This could place strain on the City’s imported water supply, leading to greater reliance on Orange County’s local groundwater. If regional water agencies, like OCWD,
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