Australia's Climate: Diverse Conditions, Rising Temperatures, and Extreme Weather Patterns

Australia's Climate: Diverse Conditions, Rising Temperatures, and Extreme Weather Patterns

Australia's Climate: Diverse Conditions, Rising Temperatures, and Extreme Weather Patterns

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Australia's climate is as diverse as its landscape, varying from wet tropical conditions in the northeast and northwest to arid desert in the central regions. The southern coastline experiences temperate and humid weather, with the southeastern highlands and Tasmania seeing winter freezing and snow. Positioned within the "horse latitudes," Australia is particularly prone to arid conditions, making it the driest inhabited continent in the world, with an average annual rainfall of just 470 millimeters (19 inches). Approximately 70% of the country is either arid or semi-arid, while about 18% is classified as desert.

The climate is significantly influenced by natural systems such as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, the Indian Ocean Dipole, and the Southern Annular Mode. These systems contribute to the country's erratic rainfall patterns, which often result in prolonged droughts followed by sudden floods. Cyclones and rain depressions are common in tropical regions, while the summer monsoon brings substantial rainfall to the north. Conversely, the southern areas experience winter rainfall due to low-pressure cells. The hottest regions are located in the northwest, and the coolest are in the southeast. The southern regions, especially, are prone to bushfire conditions, with the risk heightened during certain seasons.

Climate change, driven by rising greenhouse gas emissions, has had a marked impact on Australia's weather. Since 1910, temperatures have risen by 1.5°C, contributing to more frequent and intense heatwaves and heavy rainfall events. In southern Australia, rainfall has decreased between April and October since 1970, and the bushfire season has lengthened since the 1950s. Meanwhile, northern Australia has experienced increased rainfall since the 1970s. There has been a noticeable decline in the number of tropical cyclones since 1982, and alpine snow has diminished since the late 1950s. Additionally, sea levels around Australia are rising, and the surrounding oceans are becoming more acidic, adding pressure to the country's ecosystems and coastal regions.