Southland is likely to experience warmer weather and steadily increasing coastal flooding due to climate change, according to a new report commissioned by all of Southland's councils.

The Regional Climate Change Impact Assessment was endorsed by Environment Southland’s Strategy and Policy committee yesterday (May 2).

Prepared by the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) and commissioned by all four Southland councils, the report provides data and addresses potential impacts of climate change on a range of components of climate, hydrology and coastal processes across Southland.

Environment Southland policy and planning manager Lucy Hicks said we knew the climate was changing. But in order to prepare, robust data were needed for decision-making and future plan developments.

According to the report, Southland is likely to experience warmer weather all year round, summers will have more dry days, and there will be extended periods of relatively higher temperatures. 

Average annual rainfall is projected to increase, mostly in winter and spring, and is likely to occur in more intense events.

Coastal flooding will increase steadily under all scenarios, with increasing incidents of pure tidal flooding (i.e., on sunny days). 

Some other general Southland impacts that are highlighted as part of the report include an increase in “severe” event frequency, the size and duration of weather events and there will be more events that are unprecedented.

The report identifies areas where Southland's councils will still need to know more. For example, sea level rise is a highly likely and costly risk for our coastal areas and higher resolution elevation modelling is needed to understand more about this risk.

“The aim of commissioning the report was to provide all Southland councils with access to the best information to address the risks associated with climate change. It will be used by the councils to inform catchment-based planning, to assist in the development of Asset Management Plans and for engagement with communities to help them understand how the range of impacts might affect them," Ms Hicks said. 

Read the full report here.