Climate Change in the Pacific | Volume 2 Country Reports | Chapter 15: Tuvalu

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Australian BoM and CSIRO publications

This chapter provides a brief description of Tuvalu, its past and present climate as well as projections for the future. The climate observation network and the availability of atmospheric and oceanic data records are outlined. The annual mean climate, seasonal cycles and the influences of large-scale climate features such as the South Pacific Convergence Zone
and patterns of climate variability (e.g. the El Niño-Southern Oscillation) are analysed and discussed. Observed trends and analysis of air temperature, rainfall, extreme events (including tropical cyclones), sea-surface temperature, ocean acidification, mean and extreme sea levels are presented. Projections for air and sea-surface temperature, rainfall, sea level, ocean acidification and extreme events for the 21st century are provided. These projections are presented along with confidence levels based on expert judgement by Pacific Climate Change Science Program (PCCSP) scientists. The chapter concludes with a summary table of projections.