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.
Christchurch City Council is taking to the skies to get a clearer picture of how parts of the district’s coastline are being changed by storms.
3 Jul 2025Stage two of the Addington Brook renewal programme in South Hagley Park is well underway, with half of the earthworks and all of the tree removals now completed.
9 Jun 2025The once mighty Papanui Bush stood proudly as a 30-hectare remnant of the Canterbury Plains.
4 Jun 2025