OCAR4
CLIMATE
Oregon is already experiencing statewide impacts of a changing climate.
The state continues to warm as a result of the heat-trapping gases emitted into the atmosphere from global activity.
Observed Climate
Oregon continues to warm in all seasons, in part due to human activity. The entire Pacific Northwest has warmed about 2°F since 1900. The last three years (2016-2018) were all warmer than the 1970-1999 average, and 2015 still stands as Oregon’s warmest year on record.
Future
Climate
Warming is projected to continue in all seasons, dependent on global activity. Oregon is projected to warm by about 4-9°F by 2100, depending in part on whether global emissions follow a lower (RCP 4.5) or higher (RCP 8.5) path.
Sea Level
Sea level rise projections have not changed substantially through mid-century, though estimates of the maximum plausible sea level by the end of the century (2100) have increased to 8.2 feet.
Oregon is projected to warm by about 4-9°F
Hot Days
Hot days will become more frequent in Oregon in a changing climate. Most locations, except the cooler mountains and the coast, will see an increase of about 30 days over 86°F by mid-century compared with the recent past.