Port Philip & Westernport
By 2070 the region can expect to be:
- 1.3°C warmer with 6% less rain under a lower greenhouse gas emission growth scenario
- 2.6°C warmer with 11% less rain under a higher greenhouse gas emission growth scenario
Climate change in the Port Phillip and Westernport region (PDF - 1.0 MB)
Regional Snapshot
- Hotter - greatest increases in temperature are expected in summer
- Drier - greatest decreases in rainfall are expected in spring
- Fewer rainy days but increasing rainfall intensity
- By 2070, runoff into the Yarra, Maribyrnong, Werribee and Bunyip Rivers is expected to decrease by up to 50%.
By 2070, under a higher emissions growth scenario, Melbourne's temperatures would resemble those of present day Echuca, while annual rainfall would be similar to Seymour.
By 2070, seasonally the region can expect to be:
| LOWER EMISSIONS GROWTH |
HIGHER EMISSIONS GROWTH |
|
|---|---|---|
| SPRING | 1.4°C warmer 12% less rain |
2.6°C warmer 21% less rain |
| SUMMER | 1.5°C warmer 4% less rain |
3°C warmer 7% less rain |
| AUTUMN | 1.3°C warmer 3% less rain |
2.6°C warmer 5% less rain |
| WINTER | 1.1°C warmer 6% less rain |
2.1°C warmer 11% less rain |
Average number of days per year by 2070
| CURRENT | LOWER EMISSIONS GROWTH |
HIGHER EMISSIONS GROWTH |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| MELBOURNE | |||
| Frosts* | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Over 30°C | 30 | 39 | 49 |
| Over 35°C | 9 | 14 | 20 |
| Over 40°C | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Rainy Days** | - 10% | - 19% | |
| Extreme daily rainfall intensity | + 3% | + 5.9% | |
| CURRENT | LOWER EMISSIONS GROWTH |
HIGHER EMISSIONS GROWTH |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| CAPE SCHANCK | |||
| Frosts* | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Over 30°C | 11 | 16 | 22 |
| Over 35°C | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Over 40°C | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rainy Days** | - 10% | - 19% | |
| Extreme daily rainfall intensity | + 2.3% | + 4.5% | |
* 2°C or less
** Greater than 5mm
What is climate change?
We all hear about climate change but what is it exactly? This easy to understand information will guide you through it and answer some common questions.