As greenhouse gases build up in our atmosphere, they trap heat, warming our climate. We can expect milder winters and more hot weather in summer, which can affect people, animals, plants, infrastructure and our water supplies.
Our average temperature could rise by 0.8 to 1.4°C by 2050 and 3°C by 2090.
Christchurch typically gets around 20 hot days over 25°C each year. This is expected to increase to:
Christchurch typically gets around 14 frosts per year. This is expected to decrease to:
Our seasonal temperatures will change, particularly in autumn, when summer will extend. We can also expect more frequent and severe periods of drought.
Average rainfall will not change much by 2050. However, we can expect more seasonal variation, with drier summers and autumns and wetter winters. Banks Peninsula could see 5 to 15 per cent less summer rainfall.
Ōtautahi Christchurch is set to welcome more than 1,200 global leaders, scientists, policymakers, and innovators who will gather next week to discuss how the world can adapt to climate change’s biggest challenges.
7 Oct 2025Two Christchurch City Council restoration projects in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor (OARC) have been selected to partner in a significant European Union environmental initiative.
6 Oct 2025The risks and hazards posed by climate change will be discussed in the next instalment of the Christchurch Conversations series.
12 Sep 2025