Figure 2.7: Projected changes in seasonal precipitation (in %), for the 2080s relative to 1990: middle of IPCC range

Text description of figure

This figure shows the projected percentage changes in seasonal precipitation for the 2080's relative to 1990, for the middle of the IPCC range of scenarios. All the four seasons show a southwest to northeast gradient of precipitation with the west and southern districts of the South Island wetter relative to 1990, and the northeast of the North Island drier than in 1990. The largest rainfall gradients are expected in winter and spring, with over 20 percent more rainfall in the southwest of the South Island during winter and up to 20 percent less rainfall in parts of coastal North Canterbury. In spring the north and northeast of the North Island is expected to become much drier in the 2080's with a 10 to 20 percent decrease in rainfall relative to 1990, and in the southwest of the South Island 10 to 20 percent more rainfall is projected.