Over the past 50 years Tasmanian’s climate has been changing too. Across the State:
- average temperatures have increased by 0.8-1.0°C.
- rainfall has declined in most of the settled areas – by up to 20mm per decade in the north-west and south-east.
- rainfall has increased a little in the south-west.
Scientists predict for Tasmania:
- annual rainfall will decrease further in the north-east and increase in the west, with more of the rainfall occurring in winter and spring.
- annual maximum temperatures will increase across the state.
- annual potential evaporation will increase in all area except the West Coast.
- wind speeds will increase, particularly in winter.
- sea levels will rise between 20 and 60cm by 2095.
These changes will create challenges for Tasmania, with impacts on our fisheries, agricultural sector, coastal communities, and our biodiversity.