Palm Desert, California Climate Change Risks and Hazards: Drought, Heat (2024)

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

Drought risk in Palm Desert, CA is extreme. Heat risk is very high. Precipitation risk is relatively low. About 68% of buildings in Palm Desert, CA are at risk of wildfire, and the risk level for these buildings is very high. About 51% of buildings in Palm Desert, CA are at risk of flooding, and the risk level for these buildings is high.

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

The Whitewater River watershed, which contains Palm Desert, CA, has experienced 894 weeks (78% of weeks) since 2000 with some of its area in drought of any level, and 207 weeks (18% 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.

In a typical year between 1985-2005, people in Palm Desert, CA experienced about 7.0 days above 111.5ºF in a year. By 2050, people in Palm Desert are projected to experience an average of about 32.0 days per year over 111.5ºF.

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.

Of 43 census tracts in Palm Desert, CA, there are 42 where more than a quarter of buildings have significant fire risk, and 33 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.

Of 43 census tracts in Palm Desert, CA, there are 23 where more than half of buildings have significant risk from 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.

An extreme storm for Palm Desert, CA is a 48-hour rainfall total greater than 0.1 inches. Historically, about 2.6" of rain (or the equivalent in snow) fell over about 8 storms each year. By 2050, about 2.5" of rain are projected over about 8 storms each year. The annual precipitation in Palm Desert, CA is projected to remain about the same, 3.5".

Extreme precipitation in any form can pose significant risks. Climate change increases 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.