Projected Climate Threats to North Carolina

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change provides scenario-based projections using ranges to reflect the degree of certainty of an outcome.

• Virtually Certain > 99 percent probability of occurrence
• Extremely Likely > 95 percent probability of occurrence
• Very Likely > 90 percent probability of occurrence
• Likely > 66 percent probability of occurrence
  

Based on the U.S. Global Change Research Program report, Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, there are a number of significant threats projected for North Carolina.

• More than half of North Carolina’s shoreline is projected to be at very high risk from rising sea level.
• Increased storm intensity and frequency are expected to produce higher storm surges along our coast.
• Rainfall patterns throughout the state are likely to change, with less frequent, but more intense rains bringing increased flooding problems.
• Heat waves will likely become more frequent, longer lasting and more intense.
• It is also very likely that North Carolina will experience more droughts.