BENDIGO should not expect a gradual rise in extreme weather over the next 10 years.
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Instead, the city will likely see periodic "jumps" or "steps" in the number of hot days, along with drops in average rainfall, a new report on Victoria's climate science has warned.
The city should brace for an average 10 days over 38 degrees by the 2050s, compared to four now. It should also prepare for 14 per cent less rainfall.
Changes would likely be noticed as "jumps" where temperature or rainfall shifts in a short space of time, the report noted.
"This is particularly important for considering the near-term climate to 2030," the report noted, citing 2019 CSIRO research.
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Factoring in shifts in weather conditions are among the most challenging for those helping the region prepare for the 2050s, Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance executive officer Rob Law said.
His group supports councils across central and northern Victoria react to the changing climate.
Mr Law fears that even if the world can rein in greenhouse gas emissions the effects of climate change will likely still be felt.
"I think about my kids. They will be 45-years-old and facing a two-and-a-half degree increase in this region by the 2050s. That's a terrifying prospect for me as a parent," he said.
"Two-and-a-half degrees doesn't seem like much but if you think about it as if we were talking about someone's body. A rise by that amount brings lots of symptoms - many are what we are seeing right now."
Climate change research like that released on Thursday will inform plans to ease adverse effects of climate change, Mr Law said.
That includes CVGA work on tree species capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions in central Victoria.
"That's a challenging prospect but it's important because we know trees can help cool cities, create amenity and increase biodiversity," Mr Law said.
"It's challenging because if we see a two degree increase and less water that number of species we can plant reduces."
The report notes that climate projections could also help with preparations for bushfires and other environmental events.
"A dramatic increase in the number, size and severity of bushfires in Victoria over the past two decades has underscored a growing realisation by scientists agencies and communities that climate change has already altered bushfire risk for the worst," it read.
Bendigo cam expect a 60 per cent increase in the number of high fire danger days by 2050, the report stated.
It can also expect more extreme downpours events even as average rainfall drops.
The intensity of extreme rainfall will get higher for for every degree the average temperature climbs, the report noted.