Potential changes in climate indices in Alberta under projected global warming of 1.5–5 °C

Study region: Alberta province, Canada Study focus: The global average surface temperature has continuously warmed at an unprecedentedly rapid rate since the mid-20th century. Employing CMIP6 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6) climate projections, this study suggested a comprehensive framework with state-of-the-art techniques and evaluated potential changes in climate indices under the GMT changes of + 1.5 °C, + 2 °C, + 3 °C, + 4 °C, and + 5 °C in Alberta, Canada. New hydrological insights for the region: Main finding of this study is that a significant warming trend in annual mean temperature was projected from all of the selected CMIP6 climate projections in Alberta while there was no distinct trend in annual precipitation. Under the GMT changes from + 1.5 °C to + 5 °C, extreme cold temperature indices were warming at a larger rate in response to the GMT warming. In particular, the warming rate of the annual coldest minimum temperature in Alberta was 2.5 times faster than GMT warming. In addition, a potential decrease in summer precipitation was projected under the GMT warming, leading to a drier and warmer summer in the central and southern parts of Alberta. Furthermore, more extreme drought conditions were projected in Alberta under the GMT warming, indicating that the extreme drought conditions are likely to become more common in Alberta along with the GMT warming.