Environmental Trends 2007

Climate Change

Long-Term Trends in Air Temperature in British Columbia

Data collected at B.C. climate stations since 1950 show that air temperatures have risen throughout British Columbia.

• The greatest increases have been recorded in the northern and interior regions, with average increases of 0.3 to 0.5 ºC per decade at most locations.

• Overall, the overnight minimum air temperatures in the province have been increasing faster than the daytime maximums.

Projected changes in temperature by 2050 for the winter months (left) and summer months (right).

Click on maps for larger pdf versions.

The changes are compared to the average temperatures experienced from 1961 to 1990.

Source: Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, SRES-A2 scenario, April 2007.

• Climate models show that the historic trend is projected to continue. By 2050, average winter temperatures are expected to increase by 2-3ºC in the south and by 4-5ºC in the north. Summers throughout the province may warm by 2-3 ºC.

Air temperature trends observed in B.C. are consistent with broader North American trends.

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth Report [pdf].

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