Climate Summary

About Mount Revelstoke National Park

Mount Revelstoke National Park, located in the interior wet belt of southeastern British Columbia, protects 260 km² of the Columbia Mountains Natural Region. Characterized by large amounts of rain and snow, the park features a portion of the world’s only inland temperate cedar/hemlock rainforest, subalpine meadows bursting with wildflowers in summer, and high alpine lakes. Along with Glacier National Park, these parks represent 70% of the typical plant and animal life, and habitat found within the greater Columbia Mountains region.

Changes in Temperature

Mount Revelstoke National Park, much like the rest of Canada, is warming faster than the global average. If greenhouse emissions continue to increase at the current rate, then by 2051-2080 the average annual temperature in the park is projected to increase by about 4 °C relative to the recent past. The effects of a warming climate include hotter maximum temperatures, warmer minimum temperatures, and fewer days below zero per year. A warmer climate will also likely intensify some weather extremes, increasing the severity of heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires.

Changes in Precipitation and Water Availability

Within Mount Revelstoke National Park, total annual precipitation is expected to increase. Models also project an increase in precipitation extremes (e.g. heavy precipitation events) over that same time period. For example, the maximum amount of rainfall over a 5-day period is expected to increase by 16% under a high-emission scenario, relative to the recent past. Seasonal changes in temperature and precipitation will likely combine to affect glaciers, stream flows, and lake levels. For example, rising winter temperatures can cause more rain instead of snow and change when rivers reach their highest flow in the spring.

Spotlight on Impacts: Birds & Climate Change

Parks Canada collaborated on a study to better understand how birds may be affected by climate change. Results suggest that under a high emission scenario, 17% of summer and 15% of winter bird assemblages could be completely different in Mount Revelstoke National Park by 2050. For example, Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) could be extirpated from the Park by mid-century, impacting the survival of the endangered whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), as Clark’s nutcrackers are integral to whitebark pine seed dispersal.

 

Potential Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Responses

Climate change will affect all programs under Parks Canada’s mandate. There are many likely impacts associated with projected future climate conditions at Mount Revelstoke National Park. The table below outlines some examples of these projected conditions and impacts, as well as potential options for adaptation responses. Parks Canada uses information like this, along with Indigenous knowledge, to better manage operations in national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas, and the services offered to visitors.

Parks Canada Program Area	Future Climate Condition	Example of Likely Impact	Example of Potential Adaptation Response
Natural heritage	Warmer temperatures	Species range shifts	Collaborate with neighbouring land managers to maintain or restore connectivity and facilitate species movement.
Cultural heritage	More frequent and intense rain storms	Increased flooding and erosion risk	Work with Indigenous partners to incorporate impacts to cultural landscapes into flood response plans.
Visitor experience	Shifting seasons	Extended summer and shoulder seasons	Assess changes in use patterns and demographics, and identify expected shifts in visitor activity supply and demand.
Health, safety & wellness	More heat waves	Increased wildfire risk	Provide access to indoor cleaner air spaces for people who require respite from wildfire smoke conditions.
Built assets	More winter precipitation	Increased snow loads	Plan building maintenance practices to reduce snow overloading risks related to increasing accumulated snow weights.