Climate and Weather

CO₂ levels topped a record high of 430 ppm in May. It’s bad news for ecosystems, but could mean wetter summers for some regions.

Rain comes when water molecules in the atmosphere clump together to form ice crystals or water droplets that are heavy enough to fall to the ground. But what causes that clumping to happen?

The number of high fire risk days has nearly doubled since the early 1970s across much of the Southwest.

The historically dry northern Arizona winter has made forest officials nervous for the fire season. Conditions improved after March storms brought significant snow and rain to the region.

Since the beginning of November, Flagstaff hasn’t received much precipitation. That has forest officials worried about the risk of wildfire. Coconino National Forest Fire Planner Jesse Causer weighs in.

The National Weather Service says it was the warmest year on record for Page, Show Low and Winslow and the second warmest for Flagstaff and Prescott.

The upcoming winter looks likely to be a bit low on snow and extreme cold outbreaks, with federal forecasters predicting the North to get warmer than normal and the South wetter and stormier.

The toll of heat-associated deaths in Arizona's most populous county has now soared over 360. The deaths are still being tallied after the area's hottest summer on record.

California has ended its water year with above average rain and snow, making it one of the wettest years in recorded state history.

Climate experts caution that the favorable drought maps represent only a blip on the radar as the long-term effects of a stubborn drought persist.