Simulated difference in the mean annual maximum number of consecutive days with a maximum temperature greater than 95F

Simulated difference in the mean annual maximum number of consecutive days with a maximum temperature greater than 95F (Tmax > 95F) for the contiguous United States, for the 2041-2070 time period with respect to the reference period of 1980-2000 (top). Color only (category 1) indicates that less than 50% of the models show a statistically significant change in the number of consecutive days. Color with hatching (category 3) indicates that more than 50% of the models show a statistically significant change in the number of consecutive days, and more than 67% agree on the sign of the change (see text). Mean annual maximum number of consecutive days with Tmax > 95F for the 1980-2000 reference period (bottom left). Simulated mean annual maximum number of consecutive days with Tmax > 95F for the 2041-2070 future time period (bottom right). These are multi-model means from 8 NARCCAP regional climate simulations for the high (A2) emissions scenario. Note that top and bottom color scales are different. Increases are largest in the southwest U.S. and smallest in the north and areas of high elevation, with a pattern similar to the present-day climatology.