Irvine, CATop Climate Change Risks: Drought, Fire, Heat

Risk Snapshot

Climate Change Hazard Ratings for Irvine, CA

Ratings represent risk relative to North America. 100 is the highest risk for the hazard and 1 is the lowest, but does not indicate no risk. Flood and fire are rated based on the buildings in Irvine exposed to these hazards. See hazard sections below and check your address for details.

People in Irvine, CA are especially likely to experience increased risks from drought, fire, and heat.

Drought risk in Irvine, CA is extreme. Heat risk is significant. Precipitation risk is relatively low. About 60% of buildings in Irvine, CA are at risk of wildfire, and the risk level for these buildings is high. About 29% of buildings in Irvine, CA are at risk of flooding, and the risk level for these buildings is significant.

Fire and flood risk can vary significantly for individual properties within a city. Check your address for detailed heat, precipitation, fire, flood, and drought risk through 2050.

Drought risk in Irvine, CA

The average water stress in Irvine is projected to be higher around 2050 than around 2015.

The Newport Bay watershed, which contains Irvine, CA, has experienced 808 weeks (67% of weeks) since 2000 with some of its area in drought of any level, and 196 weeks (16% of weeks) since 2000 with some of its area in Extreme or Exceptional drought. Source: National Drought Monitor.

Climate change is increasing the risk of drought. Water stress (the ratio of water demand to supply) depends on how water utilities source water and their plans to adapt to climate change. Property owners can also take steps to reduce their risks from drought.

Fire risk in Irvine, CA

The risk on the most dangerous fire weather days in Irvine is very high. The number of these days per year is expected to increase through 2050.

Of 124 census tracts in Irvine, CA, there are 84 where more than a quarter of buildings have significant fire risk, and 70 where more than half of buildings have significant fire risk. Property owners can take steps to mitigate their risks from wildfires.

Fire risk depends on proximity to vegation: densely developed urban areas have a much lower risk of burning than areas adjacent to wildland. Climate change increases risks from wildfire by creating hotter, drier conditions for fires to spread. ClimateCheck ratings of fire risk are based on projected weather conditions and U.S. Forest Service models simulating fire behavior.

Heat risk in Irvine, CA

The number of the hottest days in Irvine is projected to keep increasing.

In a typical year around 1990, people in Irvine, CA experienced about 7 days above 90.0ºF in a year. By 2050, people in Irvine are projected to experience an average of about 25 days per year over 90.0ºF.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, even in places with cooler average temperatures. See more information on heat risk. Everyone can take steps to reduce their risks from extreme heat.

Flood risk in Irvine, CA

Buildings at risk in Irvine average about a 31% chance of a flood about 1.1 feet deep over 30 years.

Of 124 census tracts in Irvine, CA, there are 25 where more than half of buildings have significant risk from high tide flooding, surface (pluvial) flooding, and riverine (fluvial) flooding. Property owners can check a specific address for flood risk including FEMA flood zone, then take steps to reduce their vulnerability to flooding damage.

Climate change is increasing inland and coastal flooding risk due to sea level rise and increasing chances of extreme precipitation. See more information on flooding risk.

Precipitation risk in Irvine, CA

The share of precipitation during the biggest downpours in Irvine is projected to increase.

A downpour for Irvine, CA is a two-day rainfall total over 0.5 inches. Around 1990, about 67.0% of precipitation fell during these downpours. In 2050, this is projected to be about 71.0%. The annual precipitation in Irvine, CA is projected to remain about 12.6".

Extreme precipitation in any form can pose significant risks. Climate change is increasing the potential for extreme rainfall or snowfall because warmer air can hold more water vapor. See more information on storm risk. Property owners can take steps to reduce their risks from extreme precipitation.

How can we limit climate change and live in a transforming world?

The projections on this page describe a future that we still have a chance to avoid. To keep average global warming below 1.5ºC—the goal agreed on in the 2015 Paris Climate Accords—we need to act rapidly to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Understand Risks

The risks presented on this page reflect modeled averages for Irvine, CA under one projected emissions scenario and can vary for individual properties. To find out more, check a specific address and request a report describing risks to your property and in your area.

Reduce Emissions

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report states: “If global emissions continue at current rates, the remaining carbon budget for keeping warming to 1.5ºC will likely be exhausted before 2030.” This remaining carbon budget is about the same amount as total global emissions 2010-2019.

In the United States, the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions comes from transportation (about 30%). Globally the vast majority of transportation-related emissions come from cars and trucks, followed by shipping and air travel, which is growing quickly.

Compared to the rest of the world, the U.S. uses twice the average share of emissions for its buildings (including heating and cooling).

Estimate your emissions with the CoolClimate calculator.

Reducing emissions is necessary and possible across the globe and in every part of our society. Learn more with the Not Too Late project and the Project Drawdown introduction to climate solutions.

Protect Homes and Communities

Check our free report for tips on protecting your home from hazards.

Green infrastructure is a category of nature-based solutions for managing increasing precipitation. Find resources for individuals and municipalities through the EPA Soak Up the Rain initiative.

Planting trees and vegetation helps reduce extreme heat in urban environments. Cool pavements can also help. Search the Heat Island Community Actions Database to see what some municipalities have been doing to reduce extreme heat risk.

Read more about building resilience for communities: U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit

Use the Common Cause tool to find your representatives, how to contact them, and information about political contributions and bills they have introduced.