Climate Scenarios

Summary of Climate Scenarios for the Prairie Provinces - 2020's, 2050's, 2080's

Rising Temperatures

  • Generally increasing temperatures, with the greatest increases at nighttime and during the winter and spring seasons

Increasing Precipitation yet Drier Overall

  • Probably slight increases in precipitation, but not enough to keep pace with temperature increases. Increased evaporation and transpiration by plants will result in a drier summer and fall landscape.

More Frequent Extreme Events

  • Severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures will become more frequent.
  • Multi-year and severe drought in the greatest challenge.

Generally Less Surface Water

  • Less surface water, including less water in the form of snow and ice
  • Increased variability, including earlier peak flows in rivers and streams

Decreasing Soil Moisture

Longer Growing Season

Sources:

  1. Henderson, N. and D. Sauchyn eds., 2008. Climate Change Impacts on Canada's Prairie Provinces: A Summary of our State of Knowledge