SPATIAL AND SEASONAL VARIATION IN PROJECTED GLOBAL TEMPERATURES UNDER SSP5-8.5 (2081-2100)

 SPATIAL AND SEASONAL VARIATION IN PROJECTED GLOBAL TEMPERATURES UNDER SSP5-8.5 (2081-2100) 

The maps above show projected global maximum temperatures for June and December in the late 21st century period from 2081 to 2100. It uses downscaled CMIP6 climate simulations from WorldClim at a ten minute spatial resolution in GeoTIFF format under the high emissions of Shared Socioeconomic Pathway SSP5-8.5. The maps show strong warming patterns that vary across continents and seasons. Many areas, especially in subtropics and mid latitudes, will face extreme high temperatures. June conditions turn particularly intense in the Northern Hemisphere. December projections also indicate notable warming with clear contrasts between hemispheres. These patterns show how seasonality and land ocean dynamics influence future warming. 

 Map 1 June Maximum Temperatures 

 The June map displays pronounced warming over almost all land areas. Especially high projected maximum temperatures appear over Northern Africa, the Middle East and parts of South Asia. These regions have some of the darkest tones on the map. Temperatures there exceed 40 degrees Celsius in many spots. Mid latitude continents in the Northern Hemisphere show strong warming too. Large parts of North America, Europe and Asia show this pattern. South America and Australia both experience widespread warming in June. Extremes stay more moderate than in the Northern Hemisphere. Seasonal differences explain that. 

Map 2 December Maximum Temperatures 

 December projections show a varied pattern tied to the seasonal shift. Southern Hemisphere continents face intense warming. Regions like southern Africa, Australia and parts of South America match their summer season. Many areas reach categories above 30 degrees Celsius. This points to future extreme heat in December. Warming spreads across the Northern Hemisphere still. December maximum temperatures prove more moderate than in June. Higher latitudes display lighter shades. They reflect cooler baseline temperatures even with significant warming. Tropical regions have limited temperature variation and seasonality. They look consistently warm on both maps. December shows similarly high maximum values. 

  

Conclusion 

The projected maximum temperatures for June and December between 2081 and 2100 reveal a future climate marked by strong and uneven warming across the globe. Using downscaled CMIP6 data from WorldClim at a 10 minute spatial resolution, the analysis shows how spatial location and season shape the intensity and distribution of future heat. June displays the most severe warming, especially across the Northern Hemisphere, where extensive land areas amplify rising temperatures. Regions in northern Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of North America and Europe are projected to experience extreme maximum values, reflecting the combined influence of landmass distribution and intensified summer conditions. December projections show a different pattern, with the greatest warming occurring in the Southern Hemisphere, where countries such as Australia, southern Africa, and parts of South America face very high seasonal temperatures. Tropical regions remain consistently warm throughout the year, demonstrating limited seasonal contrast but still substantial increases relative to present conditions. 

The two maps show the growing influence of both geographic position and seasonal timing on future heat exposure. They point to a world where heat extremes become more common and more severe, affecting ecosystems, food systems, water resources, and human well-being. These projections underline the significance of the SSP5-8.5 scenario, which represents a pathway of high emissions and limited mitigation. The projected warming patterns reinforce the need for coordinated global and local adaptation strategies, as well as stronger efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the most harmful outcomes.