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The Southwest is frequently cited as a hotspot for observed and future climate change. Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States, is a 121-author report that synthesizes and summarizes knowledge about climate change and its impacts across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Highlights from the report and other technical inputs were summarized in a chapter for the National Climate Assessment. These reports find that regional snowpack and streamflows have declined over the recent decade. Climate models project continued snowpack and streamflow reduction in many of the region's major river basins, and increased drought duration and severity. Increased temperatures and drought have already increased wildfires and impacts to Southwest ecosystems. Models project more wildfire and increased risks across extensive areas. The Southwest produces most of the nation's high-value specialty crops, which are irrigation-dependent and vulnerable to extremes of moisture, cold and heat. Some rural communities may experience job displacement, due to projected yield reductions, increased temperatures, and competition for diminished water supplies. Southwest cattle ranches, which depend on rain-fed forage grasses, will be vulnerable to projected increases in climate variability, including drought. While climate changes may afford some opportunities for range improvement, through introduction of alternative forage species and enrichment of plant growth, managing variability, including persistent drought, will be a challenge. To manage increased climate variability, some agricultural economists suggest more flexible cow-calf-yearling operations, which could take advantage of good years, and avoid damaging rangelands in lean years, through early selling of yearlings.