Climate change affects society and the Earth System largely through water cycle changes, such as altered precipitation patterns and increased drought and flood pressures. In the Arctic, which undergoes a particularly large and rapid environmental transformation, information on water cycle changes is crucial to plan for societal adaptation. A prioritization strategy is then needed for how (where and when) monitoring should be focused to get the most relevant information and data on Arctic hydro-climatic change with limited available resources. We investigate different possible strategies for a geographic prioritization of hydro-climatic change monitoring in the Arctic. Results show conflicting prioritization basis across 14 major Arctic hydrological basins. The current monitoring density distribution is relevant for the so far observed but not for the projected future changes in Arctic climate. The present and the projected future hot-spots of greatest climate change differ, so that major spatial shifts must be anticipated in the future with regard to climate change severity across the Arctic. Important temporal shifts must further be anticipated in several major Arctic basins with currently decreasing but expected future increasing precipitation.