Climate zones in Norfolk Island, 1991 to 2020
Share of Norfolk Island's classified land in each Köppen-Geiger zone in 1991 to 2020. Zones under 0.05% are left out. The 47 map cells used cover 86% of the country's outline (about 35 km²).
By major group: C (temperate) 100%.
Almost all of Norfolk Island is one climate: Cfa, humid subtropical, which covers 96% of its classified land in 1991 to 2020. In plain terms, humid subtropical means hot, humid summers and mild winters, with rain all year. Under the middle-of-the-road scenario (SSP2-4.5), 19% of its land is projected to be in a different zone by 2071 to 2099, with the biggest gain going to Af (tropical rainforest).
How Norfolk Island's zones have changed and may change
Each row compares a map with 1991 to 2020. "Share in a different zone" is the share of the country's area whose class is different from 1991 to 2020. Future rows are model projections under an emissions scenario, not forecasts.
| Map | Share in a different zone | Different major group | Biggest gain | Biggest loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 to 1930 (past) | 2.1% | 0% | Cfa +2.1 percentage points | Cfb -2.1 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP1-2.6 (low emissions) | 4.3% | 0% | Cfa +4.3 percentage points | Cfb -4.3 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP2-4.5 (middle of the road) | 19% | 15% | Af +12.8 percentage points | Cfa -10.6 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP5-8.5 (high emissions) | 100% | 96% | Af +44.7 percentage points | Cfa -91.5 percentage points |
For the past row, the comparison runs the other way: the 1901 to 1930 map against 1991 to 2020.
Zone shares by map
| Zone | 1901 to 1930 | 1991 to 2020 | SSP1-2.6 (2071 to 2099) | SSP2-4.5 (2071 to 2099) | SSP5-8.5 (2071 to 2099) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cfa Humid subtropical | 94% | 96% | 100% | 85% | 4.3% |
| Cfb Temperate oceanic | 6.4% | 4.3% | - | - | - |
| Af Tropical rainforest | - | - | - | 13% | 45% |
| Aw Tropical savannah | - | - | - | 2.1% | 19% |
| Am Tropical monsoon | - | - | - | - | 32% |
Percentages are of the country's classified land in each map. A dash means under 0.05%.
Zones found in Norfolk Island
Data: Beck et al. (2023), CC BY 4.0; country outlines from Natural Earth. In 1901 to 1930 the most common zone was Cfa. See data sources and licences.