Western Adelaide Region Climate Change Adaptation Plan - Stage 1 - page 50

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Figure 4.19: Wind speed projections for South Australia under low and high emissions scenarios,
expressed as % change from 1980-1999(www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au)
Source: www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au
While no change in annual average wind speed is projected for the period 2030 to 2070, seasonal
averages of wind speed are projected to be affected somewhat ( Figure 4.20). In 2030, decreased wind
speeds of 2.5% are projected during winter and increases of up to 2.5% are projected during summer.
Projected changes in wind speed under a low emissions scenario in 2070 are similar to those projected
for 2030, except during summer. Under a high emissions scenario for 2030, a greater reduction in winter
and spring average wind speed is projected, although average summer wind speeds are projected to
increase.
Wind circulation throughout the Study Area may be affected by the urban heat island effect, which may be
modified under a warmer climate. It is recommended that further stages of the WARCCAP project
examine the heat island effect in order to ascertain potential hazards and opportunities from any changes
in wind circulation patterns (e.g. increased wind speeds, sea breeze cooling effects).
2030 2050 2070
West Adelaide
region