WhiteCAP_Plan_01SEPT..

Northern Climate ExChange WhiteCAP Draft Plan
Table 4.2: Baseline and Projected Temperatures for the Whitehorse Area (°C)
Baseline Modest climate change Medium-high climate change
Season (1961-
1990) 2030 2050 2030 2050
Annual -5.4 -3.3 (+2.1) -2.9 (+2.5) -3.5 (+1.9) -1.7 (+3.7)
Spring -5.1 -2.9 (+2.2) -2.9 (+2.2) -3.4 (+1.7) -1.7 (+3.4)
Summer 10.3 11.5 (+1.2) 11.8 (+1.5) 11.1 (+0.7) 12.3 (+1.9)
Autumn -5.9 -3.9 (+2.0) -3.1 (+2.8) -4.0 (+1.9) -2.0 (+3.9)
Winter -20.9 -18.0 (+2.9) -17.6 (+3.3) -17.6 (+3.2) -15.5 (+5.4)
4.2.2 Precipitation
Mean annual precipitation was also projected for the Whitehorse area based on the
1961-1990 baseline (Table 4.3). Projected annual mean precipitation in the City of
Whitehorse area is anticipated to increase from 585mm to 638 to 657mm by 2050.
Table 4.3: Baseline and Projected Precipitation for the Whitehorse Area (mm)
Season
Baseline
(1961-1990)
Modest climate change
2030 2050
Medium-high climate change
2030 2050
Annual 585 620 632 638 657
Spring 89 96 99 100 100
Summer 211 224 224 225 234
Autumn 170 178 183 186 192
Winter 115 121 123 128 131
Seasonal precipitation is expected to increase throughout the year, with the greatest
increases occurring in the winter and fall. Winter precipitation is projected to increase
between 11.3% and 13.9%, while autumn precipitation is projected to increase between
9.4% and 12.9%. Table 4.4 shows the same projected precipitation, but this time as a
change compared to the 1961-1990 climate baseline.
Table 4.4: Projected Changes in Precipitation for the Whitehorse Region
Season Modest climate change
Medium-high climate change
(Increase from 1961-1990) (Increase from 1961-1990)
2030 2050 2030 2050
16
mm % mm % mm % mm %
Annual 35 5.9 47 8.0 53 9.1 72 12.3
Spring 7 7.9 10 11.2 11 12.4 11 12.4
Summer 13 6.2 13 6.2 14 6.6 23 10.9
Autumn 8 4.7 13 7.6 16 9.4 22 12.9
Winter 6 5.2 8 7.0 13 11.3 16 13.9