Introduction
This website began as a personal project to analyze climate trends in Denver, Colorado, where I live. I wanted to understand how global warming was affecting my local area.
After creating the initial Denver climate analysis, I became interested in expanding the project to other regions of the country to compare how different areas are experiencing climate change. This led to the creation of the Los Angeles climate analysis section, which uses data from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) weather station.
The data for this analysis comes from two primary sources: the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We use data from 1947 to the present, with the 30 year windows making up the "normal" climate baseline. This is why our plots and statistics begin in 1977, allowing us to compare current conditions against this established baseline.
I found that many climate websites focus on either current weather or future projections, but there were fewer resources showing clear, easy-to-understand visualizations of historical climate trends. By creating these visualizations, I hope to make climate data more accessible and help people understand how their local climate is changing over time.
Temperature Trends in Los Angeles
Average yearly temperatures in Los Angeles over the past several decades:
The data reveals a significant warming trend in Los Angeles' climate. While the city is known for its Mediterranean climate with mild temperatures, the overall trajectory shows a clear increase in average temperatures. The plot includes a linear fit for all years from 1947 to present and also includes a linear fit for the last 60 years, showing the temperature trend in degrees per year. These rising temperatures have important implications for LA's urban heat island effect, air quality, and water resources, potentially leading to more frequent heat waves and increased wildfire risk.
Precipitation Trends in Los Angeles
Total yearly precipitation in Los Angeles over the past several decades:
Los Angeles' precipitation patterns show notable variations over time. The city's Mediterranean climate means most rainfall occurs during the winter months, with dry summers. The yearly totals can vary dramatically, with some years experiencing drought conditions while others see above-average rainfall. This variability is particularly important for Southern California's water resources, which are already under stress. The data helps us understand how climate change might be affecting the region's characteristic dry climate and what that means for the future of water management in the area.