Flagstaff may see 80 days above 90 degrees in next century

PHOENIX — A new report that studied the climate of Flagstaff showed that the city could see as many 80 days per year above 90 degrees by the end of the century, a sharp increase to what the city experiences now.

The report, published by the University of Arizona’s Climate Assessment for the Southwest, said that Flagstaff had an average of only two days per year above 90 degrees since 1950.

Similarly, the city has averaged 197 days per year below freezing since 1950. 

However, only nine of the past 35 years have had more than 197 days below freezing.

The report estimated that the region could see as few as 100 days by 2100.

The climate report said that there was no clear trend changes in average precipitation. But, the report said that the region would likely see less snow and more rain as a result of the rising low temperatures, which may impact winter tourism.

The research group said that greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are one of the reasons for the warmer temperatures.

The Climate Assessment for the Southwest was established in 1998 and is made up experts from social, physical and natural science fields across the Southwest to help develop sustainable answers to climate problems.

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