The National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) has produced new climate change projections for New Zealand.
27 May 2008
The new projections represent the most up-to-date scientific knowledge about likely effects of climate change in New Zealand, including regional impacts. They form the basis of the second edition of the Ministry for the Environment guidance manual for local government, Climate Change Effects & Impacts Assessment Manual: A Guide for Local Government, being released today.
The new projections are based on the 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the global climate modelling results produced for that report. The results are broadly consistent with NIWA’s projections for the first edition of the manual in 2004, which drew on the IPCC’s 3rd Assessment Report (2001). But the new projections use more, and better, information. “The evidence of climate change continues to mount, climate models are becoming more sophisticated, and scientific knowledge of the climate is improving all the time,” says Dr David Wratt, NIWA’s General Manager Climate Change.
In particular, the new features are:
- More (and better) models: NIWA used output from 12 global climate models. That is twice as many models to mid-century, and three times as many models to 2100, as were used in the earlier projections. The new projections also incorporate some results from the first few runs of the NIWA’s regional climate model.
- More detail, including better information on seasonal as well as annual changes, and new information on other climate elements, especially wind and rainfall extremes.
- Backed up by more evidence of changes already happening.
View the full Environmental guidance manual.
What’s happening already
NIWA says evidence that New Zealand is already experiencing climate change includes:
- Increasing temperatures: about 0.9 ºC over the past 100 years.
- Reduced frost frequency over most of the country: Canterbury and Marlborough experience about 20 fewer frosts per year now than in the early 1970s.
- Retreat of major South Island glaciers: volume of ice in the Southern Alps reduced by almost 11% in the past 30 years. Twelve of the largest glaciers are unlikely to return to their earlier lengths without extraordinary cooling of the climate.
The projections: overall picture
Future climate changes will be affected, amongst other things, by how much extra greenhouse gas goes into the atmosphere. For this reason, NIWA looked at likely changes in New Zealand across six greenhouse gas emission scenarios, but focusing on the mid-range.
Temperature:
Temperature is projected to increase by about 2 ºC by 2090 for a mid-range scenario. This is about the difference in the annual median temperature between Wellington and Auckland.
An unusually warm year now could be the norm in 30–50 years, and could be a very cold year by the end of the century.
Extreme temperature:
NIWA is projecting fewer frosts and more hot days.
Initial simulations from the regional climate model for New Zealand suggest large decreases in the number of frost days in the central North Island and in the South Island. For example, in the central plateau of the North Island, away from the actual alpine areas such as Ruapehu, the number of air frosts is projected to decrease from around 30–40 frost days per year currently to 5–15 days or so per year under a low-medium emission scenario, and to a few less days with a medium-high emission scenario, by the end of the 21st century.
The initial regional climate model runs also suggest substantial increases in the number of days above 25 °C, particularly at already warm northern sites. For example, depending on the scenario, the number of hot days in Auckland could more than treble. Currently, the city experiences about 21 days per year above 25 °C. By the end of the century, Aucklanders could face an extra 40 days or more of high temperatures under a low-medium scenario, and more than 60 extra hot days under a medium-high scenario.
Rainfall:
NIWA says the overall picture continues to be for a drier climate in most of the east coast and north of the North Island, coastal Canterbury & coastal Marlborough, and for a wetter climate in the west and south of South Island.
In addition, NIWA has produced rainfall projections for each season:
- winter & spring: all the models point to increased westerly winds, especially over the South Island. This means drier in the east & north, but more rain in the west of both islands.
- summer & autumn: different models point in different directions, but the average pattern is that westerlies decrease slightly over almost all of New Zealand. NIWA scientists have less confidence in this result than in the annual, winter, and spring projections. If borne out, less frequent westerlies would mean drier summers and autumns in the west of North Island, and possibly wetter in Gisborne & Hawkes Bay for those seasons.
Extreme rainfall:
NIWA says heavy rainfall is likely to get heavier and/or more frequent. For a mid-range scenario, a 1-in-100 year event now could become a 1-in-50 year event by the end of the century.
It advises planners to assume that extreme rainfall could be about 8% heavier for every 1 °C of warming. But it says there will be considerable geographical variation, related to such factors as where and how often storms cross the country and the intensity of ex-tropical cyclones in future. Further research is required.
Snow:
Based on air temperature and precipitation projections, it is likely that average snowlines would rise as the temperature increases, but snowfall is influenced by complicated atmospheric processes. NIWA intends to use a specialised snow model to quantify likely changes at the small scale required for management purposes (eg, effects on skifields or the amount of water in a catchment).
Strong winds:
A simulation using the regional climate model suggests an increase in the strongest winter winds over much of the country by 2100. The changes are fairly small for the most part (averaging out at a 2.3% increase over all land points in the model), but reach about 10% in some eastern locations.
Regional breakdowns
The following section summarises the annual average changes projected by the end of the century for a mid-range scenario for each regional council area. There are often systematic variations in rainfall within a region (eg, Canterbury is wetter in the west and drier in the east), so the table shows projected rainfall changes for particular places as examples.
| Projected Annual Average Temperature Increase by 2090 | Projected Annual Average Rainfall Change by 2090 (+ = increase; – = decrease) | |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | 2.1 ºC | Kaitaia –6% |
| Whangarei –7% | ||
| Auckland | 2.1 ºC | Warkworth –5% |
| Mangere –3% | ||
| Waikato | 2.1 ºC | Ruakura –1% |
| Taupo +1% | ||
| Bay of Plenty | 2.1 ºC | Tauranga –2% |
| Taranaki | 2.1 ºC | New Plymouth +1% |
| Manawatu-Wanganu | 2.1 ºC | Wanganui +1% |
| Taumarunui +3% | ||
| Hawkes Bay | 2.1 ºC | Napier –4% |
| Gisborne | 2.1 ºC | Gisborne –5% |
| Wellington | 2.1 ºC | Masterton –2% |
| Paraparaumu +3% | ||
| Tasman-Nelson | 2.0 ºC | Nelson +4% |
| Marlborough | 2.0 ºC | Blenheim +2% |
| West Coast | 2.0 ºC | Hokitika +8% |
| Canterbury | 2.0 ºC | Christchurch –2% |
| Hanmer –2% | ||
| Tekapo +8% | ||
| Otago | 2.0 ºC | Dunedin +4% |
| Queenstown +12% | ||
| Southland | 1.9 ºC | Invercargill +7% |
| Chatham Islands | 2.0 ºC | Chatham Is +4% |
The term ‘2090’ here refers to the period at the end of the century covering 2080–2099. Information on projected seasonal variation and changes to mid-century is available in tables attached to this media release.
For further information please contact:
Dr David Wratt NIWA General Manager Climate Change
Dr Brett Mullan NIWA Climate Scientist
Tables:
The following tables are attached:
- Projected 100-year changes in seasonal and annual mean temperature (in °C) by regional council area.
- Projected 100-year changes in seasonal and annual mean rainfall (%) by regional council area.
- Projected 50-year changes in seasonal and annual mean temperature (in °C) by regional council area.
- Projected 50-year changes in seasonal and annual mean rainfall (%) by regional council area.
Note: The tables show the average, lowest and highest projected changes across the six greenhouse gas emission scenarios used.
Projected temperature change over 100 years to the end of this century
Projected changes in seasonal and annual mean temperature (in °C) from 1990 to 2090, by regional council area. The average change, and the lower and upper limits (in brackets), over the six illustrative scenarios are given.
This is Table 2.3 in the Ministry for the Environment Guidance Manual.
| Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring | Annual | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northland | 2.3 [ 0.8, 6.6] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 6.0] | 2.0 [ 0.5, 5.5] | 1.9 [ 0.4, 5.5] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.9] |
| Auckland | 2.3 [ 0.8, 6.5] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.9] | 2.0 [ 0.5, 5.5] | 1.9 [ 0.4, 5.4] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.8] |
| Waikato | 2.3 [ 0.9, 6.3] | 2.2 [ 0.6, 5.6] | 2.1 [ 0.5, 5.2] | 1.8 [ 0.3, 5.1] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.6] |
| Bay of Plenty | 2.2 [ 0.8, 6.2] | 2.2 [ 0.6, 5.6] | 2.0 [ 0.5, 5.2] | 1.8 [ 0.3, 5.1] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.5] |
| Taranaki | 2.3 [0.9, 6.1] | 2.2 [ 0.6, 5.3] | 2.1 [ 0.5, 5.1] | 1.8 [ 0.3, 4.9] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.3] |
| Manawatu-Wanganui | 2.3 [0.9, 6.0] | 2.2 [ 0.6, 5.3] | 2.1 [ 0.5, 5.0] | 1.8 [ 0.3, 4.9] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.3] |
| Hawkes Bay | 2.1 [ 0.8, 6.0] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.3] | 2.1 [ 0.5, 5.1] | 1.9 [ 0.3, 5.1] | 2.1 [0.6, 5.4] |
| Gisborne | 2.2 [ 0.8, 6.2] | 2.2 [ 0.6, 5.6] | 2.0 [ 0.5, 5.2] | 1.9 [0.3, 5.2] | 2.1 [0.6, 5.5] |
| Wellington | 2.2 [ 0.9, 5.7] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.1] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.0] | 1.8 [0.3, 4.8] | 2.1 [0.6, 5.2] |
| Tasman-Nelson | 2.2 [ 0.9, 5.6] | 2.1 [0.6, 5.1] | 2.0 [ 0.5, 4.9] | 1.7 [ 0.3, 4.6] | 2.0 [0.6, 5.0] |
| Marlborough | 2.1 [ 0.9, 5.6] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.0] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 5.0] | 1.8 [ 0.3, 4.8] | 2.0 [ 0.6, 5.1] |
| West Coast | 2.2 [ 0.9, 5.3] | 2.1 [ 0.7, 5.0] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 4.9] | 1.7 [ 0.4, 4.5] | 2.0 [ 0.7, 4.9] |
| Canterbury | 2.1 [ 0.8, 5.2] | 2.1 [ 0.7, 4.9] | 2.2 [ 0.8, 5.1] | 1.8 [ 0.4, 4.7] | 2.0 [0.7, 5.0] |
| Otago | 2.0 [ 0.7, 4.8] | 2.0 [ 0.8, 4.6] | 2.2 [ 0.8, 4.8] | 1.7 [ 0.5, 4.3] | 2.0 [ 0.8, 4.6] |
| Southland | 2.0 [ 0.7, 4.7] | 2.0 [ 0.8, 4.6] | 2.2 [ 0.8, 4.7] | 1.6 [ 0.5, 4.1] | 1.9 [ 0.8, 4.5] |
| Chatham Islands | 1.9 [ 0.8, 4.6] | 2.1 [ 0.6, 4.9] | 2.0 [ 0.3, 4.5] | 1.8 [ 0.3, 4.6] | 2.0 [ 0.5, 4.7] |
Note 1: This table covers the period from 1990 (1980–1999) to 2090 (2080–2099), based on downscaled temperature changes for 12 global climate models, re-scaled to match the IPCC global warming range for six illustrative emission scenarios (B1, A1T, B2, A1B, A2, and A1FI).
Note 2: If the seasonal ranges are averaged, the resulting range is larger than the range shown in the annual column, because of cancellation effects when summing over the year.
Note 3: Projected changes for the 15 regional council regions were the result of the statistical downscaling over mainland New Zealand. For the Chatham Islands, the scenario changes come from direct interpolation of the global climate model grid-point changes to the latitude and longitude of the Chathams.
Projected rainfall change over 100 years to the end of this century
Projected changes for selected stations within each regional council area in seasonal and annual precipitation (in %) from 1990 to 2090. Lower and upper limits are shown in brackets.
This is Table 2.5 in the MfE Guidance Manual.
| Region: | Location | Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northland: | Kaitaia | -1 [-26, 21] | -3 [-22, 11] | -8 [-32, 2] | -11 [-33, 8] | -6 [-22, 5] |
| Whangarei | 0 [-20, 19] | 1 [-27, 26] | -12 [-45, -0] | -16 [-45, 1] | -7 [-28, 2] | |
| Auckland: | Warkworth | -2 [-31, 20] | -1 [-20, 12] | -4 [-24, 5] | -12 [-33, 6] | -5 [-19, 6] |
| Mangere | -1 [-33, 20] | -2 [-21, 12] | -1 [-12, 9] | -9 [-30, 11] | -3 [-13, 9] | |
| Waikato: | Ruakura | -1 [-34, 18] | -1 [-24, 10] | 3 [ -7, 15] | -4 [-23, 16] | -1 [-11, 11] |
| Taupo | 4 [-19, 30] | 1 [-16, 9] | 3 [ -8, 15] | -5 [-23, 13] | 1 [ -7, 10] | |
| Bay of Plenty: | Tauranga | 2 [-20, 23] | 2 [-15, 16] | -3 [-16, 8] | -9 [-32, 12] | -2 [-12, 5] |
| Taranaki: | New Plymouth | -2 [-38, 15] | 1 [-18, 15] | 6 [ -6, 20] | -1 [-17, 21] | 1 [-10, 11] |
| Manawatu-Wanganui: | Wanganui | -3 [-42, 12] | -1 [-20, 12] | 8 [-5, 25] | -0 [-16, 23] | 1 [-11, 11] |
| Taumarunui | -1 [-36, 18] | -2 [-25, 12] | 13 [ 1, 36] | 1 [-16, 26] | 3 [ -7, 15] | |
| Hawkes Bay: | Napier | 9 [-46, 52] | 5 [-14, 25] | -16 [-45, -1] | -13 [-38, 9] | -4 [-20, 11] |
| Gisborne: | Gisborne: | 5 [-38, 41] | 4 [-25, 27] | -13 [-41, 1] | -16 [-42, 7] | -5 [-22, 8] |
| Wellington: | Masterton | 4 [-28, 32] | 3 [ -7, 13] | -7 [-28, 2] | -4 [-20, 16] | -2 [-15, 7] |
| Paraparaumu | -1 [-38, 16] | 2 [-12, 14] | 9 [ 0, 26] | 2 [-15, 26] | 3 [ -7, 14] | |
| Tasman-Nelson: | Nelson | 6 [-13, 30] | 5 [ -4, 18] | 6 [ -2, 19] | -1 [-20, 19] | 4 [ -3, 14] |
| Marlborough: | Blenheim | 5 [-15, 28] | 5 [ -5, 16] | 1 [-14, 9] | -1 [-18, 20] | 2 [ -7, 13] |
| West Coast: | West Coast: | -1 [-44, 32] | 3 [-28, 26] | 21 [ 5, 52] | 8 [-11, 46] | 8 [ -5, 31] |
| Canterbury: | Christchurch | 3 [-17, 25] | 6 [ -6, 20] | -11 [-41, 10] | -2 [-15, 25] | -2 [-14, 16] |
| Hanmer | 4 [-25, 32] | 3 [ -7, 15] | -10 [-34, 6] | -1 [-13, 29] | -2 [-14, 15] | |
| Tekapo | 2 [-30, 31] | 0 [-16, 17] | 18 [ 5, 41] | 10 [ -6, 47] | 8 [ 0, 29] | |
| Otago: | Dunedin | 0 [-29, 19] | 2 [-11, 16] | 7 [-16, 24] | 6 [ -1, 32] | 4 [ -9, 23] |
| Queenstown | 1 [-38, 37] | 2 [-32, 20] | 29 [ 7, 76] | 15 [ -5, 50] | 12 [ -2, 34] | |
| Southland: | Invercargill | -2 [-44, 27] | 2 [-31, 19] | 18 [ 1, 51] | 13 [ 0, 47] | 7 [-12, 29] |
| Chatham Islands: | -3 [-20, 16] | 4 [-14, 29] | 8 [-16, 67] | 6 [-14, 45] | 4 [-11, 35] |
Note 1: This table covers the period from 1990 (1980–1999) to 2090 (2080–2099), based on downscaled temperature changes for 12 global climate models, re-scaled to match the IPCC global warming range for six illustrative emission scenarios (B1, A1T, B2, A1B, A2, and A1FI).
Note 2: If the seasonal ranges are averaged, the resulting range is larger than the range shown in the annual column, because of cancellation effects when summing over the year.
Note 3: Projected changes for the 15 regional council regions were the result of the statistical downscaling over mainland New Zealand. For the Chatham Islands, the scenario changes come from direct interpolation of the global climate model grid-point changes to the latitude and longitude of the Chathams.
Projected temperature change over 50 years to mid- this century
Projected changes in seasonal and annual mean temperature (in °C) from 1990 to 2040, by regional council area. The average change, and the lower and upper limits (in brackets), over the six illustrative scenarios are given.
This is Table 2.5 in the MfE Guidance Manual.
| Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring | Annual | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northland | 1.1 [ 0.3, 2.7] | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.9] | 0.9 [ 0.1, 2.4] | 0.8 [ 0.1, 2.2] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.6] |
| Auckland | 1.1 [ 0.3, 2.6] | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.8] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.4] | 0.8 [ 0.1, 2.2] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.5] |
| Waikato | 1.1 [ 0.2, 2.5] | 1.0 [ 0.3, 2.7] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.2] | 0.8 [ 0.0, 2.0] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.4] |
| Bay of Plenty | 1.0 [ 0.3, 2.5] | 1.0 [ 0.3, 2.7] | 0.9 [ 0.1, 2.2] | 0.8 [ 0.0, 2.1] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.4] |
| Taranaki | 1.1 [ 0.2, 2.4] | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.6] | 0.9 [ 0.1, 2.2] | 0.8 [ 0.0, 2.0] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.3] |
| Manawatu-Wanganui | 1.1 [ 0.2, 2.3] | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.6] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.2] | 0.8 [ 0.0, 1.9] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.2] |
| Hawkes Bay | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.5] | 1.0 [ 0.3, 2.6] | 0.9 [ 0.1, 2.2] | 0.8 [ 0.0, 2.0] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.3] |
| Gisborne | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.6] | 1.0 [ 0.3, 2.] | 0.9 [ 0.1, 2.2] | 0.8 [ 0.0, 2.1] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.4] |
| Wellington | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.2] | 1.0 [ 0.3, 2.5] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.1] | 0.8 [ 0.1, 1.9] | 0.9 [ 0.3, 2.2] |
| Tasman-Nelson | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.2] | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.3] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.0] | 0.7 [ 0.1, 1.8] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.0] |
| Marlborough | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.1] | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.4] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.0] | 0.8 [ 0.1, 1.8] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.1] |
| West Coast | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.4] | 1.0 [ 0.2, 2.1] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 1.8] | 0.7 [ 0.1, 1.7] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 1.8] |
| Canterbury | 0.9 [ 0.1, 2.2] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.2] | 1.0 [ 0.4, 2.0] | 0.8 [ 0.2, 1.8] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 1.9] |
| Otago | 0.9 [ 0.0, 2.4] | 0.9 [ 0.1, 1.9] | 1.0 [ 0.3, 2.1] | 0.7 [ 0.0, 1.8] | 0.9 [ 0.1, 1.9] |
| Southland | 0.9 [ 0.0, 2.4] | 0.9 [ 0.1, 1.9] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.0] | 0.7 [-0.1, 1.7] | 0.8 [ 0.1, 1.9] |
| Chatham Islands | 0.8 [ 0.2, 1.9] | 0.9 [ 0.2, 2.0] | 0.9 [ 0.1, 2.3] | 0.7 [ 0.1, 1.8] | 0.8 [ 0.2, 1.9] |
Note 1: This table covers the period from 1990 (1980–1999) to 2040 (2030–2049), based on downscaled temperature changes for 12 global climate models, re-scaled to match the IPCC global warming range for six illustrative emission scenarios (B1, A1T, B2, A1B, A2, and A1FI). Corresponding maps (Figures 2.3, 2.4) should be used to clarify sub-regional spatial gradients.
Note 2: If the seasonal ranges are averaged, the resulting range is larger than the range shown in the annual column, because of cancellation effects when summing over the year.
Note 3: Projected changes for the 15 regional council regions were the result of the statistical downscaling over mainland New Zealand. For the Chatham Islands, the scenario changes come from direct interpolation of the global climate model grid-point changes to the latitude and longitude of the Chathams.
Projected rainfall change over 50 years to mid- this century
Projected changes for selected stations within each regional council area in seasonal and annual precipitation (in %) from 1990 to 2040. Lower and upper limits are shown in brackets.
This is Table 2.5 in the MfE Guidance Manual.
| Region: | Location | Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northland: | Kaitaia | 1 [-15, 20] | -0 [-14, 16] | -5 [-23, 1]] | -6 [-18, 4] | -3 [-13, 5] |
| Whangarei | 1 [-14, 23] | 1 [-15, 33] | -9 [-38, -1] | -9 [-25, 3] | -4 [-16, 7] | |
| Auckland: | Warkworth | 1 [-16, 20] | 1 [-13, 22] | -4 [-22, 2] | -6 [-18, 6] | -3 [-13, 5] |
| Mangere | 1 [-17, 20] | 1 [-14, 17] | -1 [-10, 5] | -5 [-15, 10] | -1 [-10, 6] | |
| Waikato: | Ruakura | 1 [-18, 19] | 2 [-13, 10] | 1 [ -4, 8] | -2 [-10, 13] | 0 [ -6, 6] |
| Taupo | 3 [-16, 28] | 3 [ -9, 16] | 1 [ -4, 7] | -3 [-10, 12] | 1 [ -5, 8] | |
| Bay of Plenty: | Tauranga | 2 [-16, 25] | 3 [-12, 25] | -4 [-16, 2] | -5 [-18, 7] | -1 [-10, 8] |
| Taranaki: | New Plymouth | 0 [-20, 18] | 3 [ -8, 13] | 2 [ -2, 9] | 0 [ -8, 16 | 2 [ -3, 9] |
| Manawatu-Wanganui: | Wanganui | -1 [-21, 13] | 3 [ -8, 10] | 5 [ -3, 15] | 1 [-10, 15] | 2 [ -3, 10] |
| Taumarunui | 0 [-19, 19] | 2 [-10, 13] | 7 [ 0, 17] | 2 [-12, 19] | 3 [ 0, 13] | |
| Hawkes Bay: | Napier | 4 [-33, 38] | 5 [-14, 42] | -13 [-34, -1] | -7 [-17, 3] | -3 [-14, 14] |
| Gisborne: | Gisborne: | 3 [-26, 33] | 4 [-18, 46] | -11 [-30, -2] | -9 [-21, 3] | -4 [-15, 14] |
| Wellington: | Masterton | 2 [-17, 25] | 4 [ -8, 32] | -6 [-20, 4] | -1 [ -8, 10] | -1 [ -7, 9] |
| Paraparaumu | 0 [-21, 13] | 4 [ -3, 14] | 4 [ -1, 13] | 2 [ -5, 14] | 2 [ -3, 10] | |
| Tasman-Nelson: | Nelson | 4 [-14, 27] | 5 [ -2, 19] | 1 [ -4, 9] | 0 [ -8, 9] | 2 [ -3, 9] |
| Marlborough: | Blenheim | 3 [-16, 25] | 4 [ -4, 24] | -1 [-10, 7] | -1 [ -7, 10] | 1 [ -5, 9] |
| West Coast: | Hokitika | 0 [-22, 19] | 3 [-11, 18] | 11 [ 1, 24] | 5 [ -1, 18] | 5 [ -2, 20] |
| Canterbury: | Christchurch | 2 [-15, 22] | 5 [-10, 30] | -8 [-30, 7] | -1 [ -8, 9] | -1 [-10, 9] |
| Hanmer | 2 [-16, 25] | 4 [ -5, 19] | -7 [-26, 6] | 0 [ -6, 12] | -1 [ -8, 7] | |
| Tekapo | 1 [-16, 16] | 2 [-12, 10] | 8 [ -1, 19] | 6 [ -3, 17] | 4 [ 0, 13] | |
| Otago: | Dunedin | 1 [-11, 13] | 2 [ -9, 10] | 3 [-10, 13] | 2 [ -5, 11] | 2 [ -4, 9] |
| Queenstown | 1 [-16, 20] | 2 [-15, 23] | 16 [ 2, 38] | 8 [ -3, 21] | 7 [ 1, 22] | |
| Southland: | Invercargill | -1 [-15, 22] | 2 [-17, 22] | 10 [ 2, 30] | 7 [ -3, 22] | 4 [ -2, 19] |
| Chatham Islands: | -2 [-10, 10] | 4 [ -7, 29] | 4 [-10, 43] | 3 [ -8, 19] | 3 [ -5, 23] |
Note 1: This table covers the period from 1990 (1980–1999) to 2040 (2030–2049), based on downscaled temperature changes for 12 global climate models, re-scaled to match the IPCC global warming range for six illustrative emission scenarios (B1, A1T, B2, A1B, A2, and A1FI). Corresponding maps (Figures 2.3, 2.4) should be used to clarify sub-regional spatial gradients.
Note 2: If the seasonal ranges are averaged, the resulting range is larger than the range shown in the annual column, because of cancellation effects when summing over the year.
Note 3: Projected changes for the 15 regional council regions were the result of the statistical downscaling over mainland New Zealand. For the Chatham Islands, the scenario changes come from direct interpolation of the global climate model grid-point changes to the latitude and longitude of the Chathams.