Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is the driest inhabited continent, with the least fertile soils. The country's climate is the second driest of any continent, after Antarctica. This dryness is caused by several factors, including the size of the country, the lack of significant mountain ranges, and the influence of wind patterns and ocean currents. The coastal areas of Australia receive a lot of rain, but this often does not reach the core of the continent, leading to dry conditions in the interior regions. The country is also affected by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, which brings extensive droughts and abnormal weather patterns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Annual rainfall | 419 mm (16 in) |
| % of land receiving less than 600 mm of rainfall annually | 80% |
| % of land receiving less than 300 mm of rainfall annually | 50% |
| Average annual rainfall in the north | Over 1,570 mm (62 in) |
| Average annual rainfall in the vicinity of Mount Lofty | 1,200 mm (47 in) |
| Average annual rainfall in the Lake Eyre basin | Less than 150 mm (6 in) |
| Average annual rainfall in the Australian Capital Territory | 623 mm (25 in) |
| Highest temperature recorded in the Australian Capital Territory | 44.0 °C (111.2 °F) |
| Lowest temperature recorded in the Australian Capital Territory | −14.6 °C (5.7 °F) |
| Average minimum temperature in the coolest months of June and July | 14 °C (57 °F) |
| Average humidity in the dry season | 30% |
| Average humidity in the wet season | Over 70% |
| % of Australia covered by dunes | 40% |
| Drought conditions | Vary across the country |
| Lack of mountains | Prevents moisture from reaching the interior |
| Trade Winds and Westerlies | Bring rain to the northern and southern margins, but not the interior |
| El Niño–Southern Oscillation | Causes extensive droughts and considerable wet periods |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's size and flatness
Australia is the second driest continent in the world, after Antarctica. Its annual average rainfall is 419 mm (16 inches). This dryness is caused by a variety of factors, including its size, flatness, and lack of significant mountain ranges.
Firstly, Australia's size contributes to its dryness. The country is so large that coastal areas, which receive more rainfall, are not sufficient to provide moisture to the core of the continent. The wind patterns and air currents also play a role in this; the Trade Winds to the north and the Westerlies to the south bring rain to the northern and southern margins, but these winds don't reach the interior due to high-pressure systems. This is similar to how dry regions in the US exist far from the ocean.
Secondly, Australia's flatness and lack of significant mountain ranges affect its climate. Unlike mountainous regions such as North and South America, which have river systems formed by moisture-laden air being forced upwards, Australia's relatively flat terrain means there is no geography to force the air to rise and seed mountains or glaciers with snow. This also prevents the formation of rivers. The Great Dividing Range, which runs down most of the east coast, also soaks up much of the rain coming in from the Pacific Ocean, reducing the amount that reaches inland areas.
The combination of Australia's size and flatness, along with other factors like wind patterns and air currents, contributes to the country's overall dryness. The lack of significant mountain ranges and inland rivers further exacerbates the aridity of the continent. These geographical characteristics have a significant impact on Australia's climate and water availability.
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Lack of mountains
Australia is the driest inhabited continent, with the least fertile soils. The country's climate is the second driest of any continent, after Antarctica. Approximately 80% of the land receives less than 600 mm (24 in) of rainfall annually, and 50% of the land receives less than 300 mm (12 in).
One of the reasons for this dryness is the lack of mountains. Australia does not have any significant mountain ranges, so there is no geography to force moisture-laden air upwards to seed mountains and glaciers with snow. This also prevents river systems from forming, as seen in North and South America, where river systems only exist because of the climate caused by the mountain ranges to their west.
The trade winds in the region hit the mountains on the eastern side of the continent and release all their moisture at once, resulting in none being left to rain on the rest of the land. The Great Dividing Range, which runs down most of the east coast, soaks up the rain coming in from the Pacific. This leaves the core of the continent without any rainfall.
The lack of mountains also makes Australia very sensitive to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) changes, which are often the driver of many droughts. ENSO changes major circulation patterns, making some regions wetter and some drier.
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Climate change
Australia is the second driest continent in the world, after Antarctica. The country's climate is significantly influenced by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, which brings about extensive droughts and occasional dust storms, tropical cyclones, heat waves, bushfires, and frosts. Climate change is a highly contentious political issue in Australia, with temperatures rising by approximately 0.7 °C between 1910 and 2004, contributing to global warming.
The country's large size contributes to its dryness, as coastal areas that receive ample rainfall drain moisture from the air, leaving the interior dry. The lack of significant mountain ranges also plays a role, as there is no geography to force moisture-laden air upwards, preventing the formation of river systems. Australia's position on the leeward side of the Brindabella Ranges further contributes to its dryness.
The subtropical high-pressure belt, also known as the subtropical ridge, is a crucial factor in Australia's low annual average rainfall of 419 mm (16 in). This weather system brings dry air from the upper atmosphere down onto the continent, resulting in dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north. The Intertropical Convergence Zone moves south during the Australian summer, bringing monsoons to northern Australia.
Wind patterns also influence Australia's dryness, as the Trade Winds in the north and the Westerlies in the south bring rain to the margins, but high-pressure systems prevent them from reaching the interior. The Westerlies, being cold winds circling Antarctica, have low evaporation rates, contributing to the dryness. The great ocean circulation in the south and cold sea currents in the southern zone also contribute to the long periods of drought by imposing high atmospheric pressures.
The effects of climate change and drought in Australia are evident in the agricultural sector, with low soil moisture affecting crop and pasture growth. Water storages in the southern states have declined, and some reservoirs have seen significant decreases in capacity. The Murray–Darling Basin, for example, had a total storage volume 16.0% lower than the previous year.
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Trade Winds and Westerlies
Australia is the driest inhabited continent, with 80% of the land receiving less than 600 mm of rainfall annually. The country's climate is governed by several factors, including the subtropical high-pressure belt, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, and the trade winds and westerlies.
The trade winds and westerlies are air currents that flow from sea level up to the upper atmosphere and back down again. These winds bring rain to the northern and southern margins of Australia, but they do not penetrate the interior due to high-pressure dominance. The trade winds are warm, moist winds that blow from the equator towards the tropics, while the westerlies are cold, dry winds that circle Antarctica. The westerlies have low evaporation rates, bringing dry air even when they do reach the interior of Australia.
The high-pressure systems that dominate Australia's interior prevent the trade winds and westerlies from bringing significant rainfall to the continent. This high pressure is associated with circulation cells and brings dry air down from the upper atmosphere. The subtropical high-pressure belt, also known as the subtropical ridge, moves with the seasons, bringing dry summers to the south and dry winters to the north.
In addition to the trade winds and westerlies, other factors contribute to Australia's dry climate. The country's large size means that coastal rainfall does not reach the interior, and the lack of significant mountain ranges prevents the formation of river systems. The Great Dividing Range, which runs along the east coast, also soaks up much of the rain coming in from the Pacific Ocean. The westerlies contribute to the dryness by imposing high atmospheric pressure, leading to long periods of drought.
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Low rainfall
Australia is the driest inhabited continent, with the least fertile soils. The country has a very low annual average rainfall of 419 mm (16 inches). 80% of the land receives less than 600 mm (24 inches) of rainfall annually and 50% receives less than 300 mm (12 inches). The majority of the state has arid and semi-arid climates.
The low rainfall in Australia is caused by a combination of factors, including its geographical location, wind patterns, and lack of significant mountain ranges. The country is influenced by the subtropical high-pressure belt (subtropical ridge), which brings dry air from the upper atmosphere down onto the continent. This high pressure is typically to the south of Australia in the summer and over the north in the winter, resulting in dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north. The Intertropical Convergence Zone also moves south during the Australian summer, bringing monsoons to parts of northern Australia.
Additionally, the wind patterns in Australia do not favour the formation of storms. The country is skirted by the Trade Winds to the north and the Westerlies to the south, which bring rain to the northern and southern margins, but these winds struggle to move into the interior due to the high-pressure systems. The Westerlies, being winds that circle Antarctica, are very cold and have low evaporation rates, contributing to the dryness of the interior.
The lack of significant mountain ranges in Australia also plays a role in the low rainfall. Mountains help to force moisture-laden air upwards, leading to the formation of clouds and precipitation. In contrast, Australia's relatively flat terrain does not provide the necessary geography to promote the upward movement of moist air, resulting in a lack of rainfall in the central regions.
The impact of low rainfall in Australia can be observed in its water storages. For example, multiple storages across the Murray-Darling Basin and the South East Coast drainage division of Victoria finished below 50% of capacity by the end of July, including the Hume Dam, Australia's seventh-largest reservoir. The low rainfall contributes to prolonged drought conditions, affecting agriculture and livestock industries.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the driest inhabited continent, with the least fertile soils. 80% of the land receives less than 600 mm (24 in) of rainfall annually and 50% of the land has less than 300 mm (12 in). The country's climate is governed mostly by the subtropical high-pressure belt, which brings dry air from the upper atmosphere down onto the continent.
Australia's size is another factor. The coastal areas get a lot of rain, but this drains the moisture out of the air, leaving none for the continent's core. Australia also doesn't have any significant mountain ranges, so there is no geography to force moisture-laden air upwards to seed mountains and glaciers with snow.
The dry climate in Australia has led to rising levels of salinity and desertification in some areas, ravaging the landscape. The country also experiences extensive droughts, with low soil moisture affecting crop and pasture growth.
Australia typically has dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north. The wet season is associated with tropical cyclones and monsoon rains, with most rainfall occurring between December and March. The dry season, from May to September, sees very little rainfall.
