Retrospective coverage for October 20, 2026. First published October 26, 2026 06:07 -07:00 (Pacific time). This is an AI-assisted brief compiled from linked public source records; the coverage date is not the publication date.
San Diego's climate is projected to become substantially warmer by midcentury, with the largest seasonal temperature increases in spring and fall, according to research summarized by UC San Diego on Oct. 20. That pattern could lengthen summerlike conditions rather than simply intensifying the hottest months. University report.
The San Diego regional assessment projects roughly 4 degrees Fahrenheit of warming for 2041–70 compared with the 30-year period ending in 2010. Inland areas could warm about a degree more than coastal communities.
The outlook for total rainfall is less certain. Researchers instead emphasized a shift toward more concentrated, intense storms, with implications for flooding and water management. The assessment projects sea-level rise of approximately 1 to 1.6 feet by 2075.
Scripps researchers Julie Kalansky and Tom Corringham contributed to the regional report. Its findings also address electricity demand during heat, wildfire risks associated with Santa Ana winds and pressures on native habitats. Regional projections.