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A HeatRisk map shows color-coded risk categories for people confronted by heat that can pose health problems. Excessive heat warnings were issued for more than 20 million Americans late Wednesday, as a heat dome raised temperatures.

A heat dome can bring dangerously high temperatures. What is it?

Much of the Southwest U.S. is experiencing extreme heat this week — with temperatures blazing past 100 degrees. And a phenomenon known as a heat dome is to blame.

A winter storm is pictured over downtown San Diego, March 2021 .

Third consecutive dry, warm winter projected for San Diego amid statewide drought

Some winter weather has made its way to San Diego, bringing wind, rain and snow to parts of the region.

Sandbags are stacked around a well in anticipation of flooding of the Kings River in the Island District of Lemoore, Calif., April 19, 2023.

Crop-rich California region may fall under state monitoring to preserve groundwater flow

California officials are considering whether to take over monitoring groundwater use in part of the fertile San Joaquin Valley.

The Great Lakes saw low levels of ice cover over the winter, which was the warmest on record in the U.S.

U.S. has warmest winter on record – and no, that's not a good thing

From lack of snow to wildfires, a record-warm winter had impacts across the country. Scientists say winters are warming faster than any other season in the U.S.

Jim Scala is a third-generation rancher in rural Siskiyou County's Montague. He is among the estimated 80 ranchers in the association hit with the proposed fine.

Rural ranchers face $4,000 proposed fine for violating state drought order

The penalty is the maximum the ranchers — who pumped Shasta River water for eight days — could face under state law. It amounts to about $50 per rancher, which is no deterrent, ranchers and officials agree.

Plants inside Salk Institute greenhouse, part of the Harnessing Plants Initiative on Sep 13, 2023.

San Diego research plumbs the carbon scrubbing potential in plants

The Salk Institute of Biological Studies is making progress on its long-term goal to develop plants that are good at removing carbon from the atmosphere.

Andrew Song and Luke Iseman of Make Sunsets ready for a launch. Iseman says they hope to someday cool the earth on a larger scale.

Startups want to cool Earth by reflecting sunlight. There are few rules and big risks

In a parking lot and on San Francisco Bay, NPR witnesses two different tests for solar geoengineering to tackle climate change. With much science unsettled, experts say regulations aren't keeping up.

A sign about saving water is posted on browning grass outside the state Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., on Monday, July 11, 2022. California's water use dropped more than 10% in July compared to two years ago, state officials said Wednesday Sept. 7, 2022.

Water use drops 10% in July as California deals with drought

California’s water use dropped more than 10.4% in July compared with two years ago as the most populous state struggles with a years-long drought.

Motorists on Highway 101 watch flames from the Thomas fire leap above the roadway north of Ventura, Calif., on Wednesday.

California utility will pay $80M to settle claims its equipment sparked devastating 2017 wildfire

Southern California Edison will pay $80 million to settle claims on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service connected to a massive wildfire that destroyed more than a thousand homes and other structures in 2017.

The country's two biggest reservoirs are on the Colorado River. Water levels at Lake Powell have dropped steeply during the two-decade megadrought.

The Colorado River rarely reaches the sea. Here's why

More than half of the Colorado River's water is used to grow crops, primarily livestock feed, a new study finds. The river and its users are facing tough decisions as the climate warms.

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