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11 - 18 years > Future climate change in Wales
Differences within Wales
Future climate change in Wales

The amount of future climate change in Wales is uncertain.

It depends on how careful we are about reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the future.

If we reduce our emissions significantly the low emissions column may show future changes.

If little is achieved climate change will relate to the high emission figures.


Predicted climate changes in Wales

Wales 2080 low emissions high emissions
Annual mean temperature   +1.5oC +4.0oC
Winter temperature +1.0oC +4.0oC
Summer temperature +2.0oC +3.5oC(N) +4.5oC(S)
Annual precipitation change within normal variability -10% (E)
Winter precipitation change +10% +30%
Summer precipitation change -20% -40% (S&E) -50% (N&W)
Average winter snowfall amount -40 % -100%
  • Heavy winter precipitation more often and 5 - 20% more intense
  • Variability of the weather will increase with very hot summers 1 year in 5 and very dry summers 1 year in 3 [From UKCIP02 report]


Try This!
Use the table to describe predicted climate change in Wales.

  • Which level of emissions will result in the greater climate change - low or high?
  • Describe the predicted temperature and precipitation changes
  • How do the changes differ between winter and summer?
Gulf Stream

There may be a completely different climate if the changing climate affects the path of the Gulf Stream.


Find out about future climate change WITHIN Wales by clicking the white bar above.
Try This!
www.guardian.co.uk special report on the Gulf Stream has an animation of how this ocean current affects our climate
            Related Sections:
Past climate changes What causes climate change? How will climate change in Wales affect me? What can we do to reduce climate change?