SI2023 – A-14 – Sable Island’s Changing Climate – Alex Cadel

There is a growing recognition that climate change is already impacting our environment and
our communities. But what exactly has changed on Sable Island, and what further changes can
we expect in the coming decades? We will briefly analyze the historical weather station data for
Sable Island to discuss trends over the past century, such as higher average temperatures, a
longer frost-free season, more total precipitation, lower average wind speeds, and lower relative
humidity; some of these trends reflect the changing climate and are expected to continue, while
others represent shorter term variability in the climate system. Then we will turn an eye to the
future to review the data and hazards associated with the main climate change trends for Nova
Scotia: increasing temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, more frequent and intense
storms, rising sea levels, and changing ocean conditions. Finally, connections will be made to
how climate data can help to support informed decisions for managing Sable Island in a
changing climate.