A simulation of projected changes in December to February precipitation from the period 1975 to 1995 to the period 2040 to 2060 is shown on this map. On average, precipitation increases, but it is not evenly distributed geographically. There are marked regions of decreasing, as well as increasing precipitation, over both land and ocean. Annual average precipitation generally increases over northern continents, and particularly during the winter. Warmer surface temperature would speed up the hydrological cycle at least partially, resulting in faster evaporation and more precipitation. The results are based on climate change simulations made with the Coupled Global Climate Model developed by Environment Canada.