Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is known for its sun-drenched landscape, but this also means that most of the country receives very little rainfall. In fact, more than 80% of the country receives less than 600 mm of rainfall per year, with some parts receiving less than 300 mm. Australia's climate is influenced by a variety of factors, including its large geographical size, its position in the Southern Hemisphere, and the subtropical high-pressure belt, which brings dry air down from the upper atmosphere. This results in dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north, with frequent droughts caused in part by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. While the southeast and southwest corners of the country have a temperate climate, the rest of the territory is arid or semi-arid, with little rain falling during the hottest months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of land receiving less than 600 mm of rainfall annually | 80% |
| Average annual rainfall | 419 mm |
| Reason for dryness | Subtropical high-pressure belt |
| Seasonal weather | Dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north |
| Temperature variation | -7.2 °C to 50.7 °C |
| Snowfall | Rare, except in mountainous regions |
| Inland climate | Very hot summers, cool winters |
| Annual rainfall in inland regions | Less than 250 mm |
| Mountainous regions | Snow-covered in winter and early spring |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's geographical position
The country's position and size also contribute to its low rainfall. Coastal areas of Australia receive a significant amount of rainfall, but this often does not reach the interior of the continent. The moisture is drained from the air before it can move inland, leaving the core of Australia dry. Australia's lack of significant mountain ranges also plays a role. Mountainous terrain can force moisture-laden air upwards, leading to the formation of glaciers and river systems. However, Australia's relatively flat landscape prevents this process, further contributing to the country's overall dryness.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), which includes Canberra, is an exception to the generally low rainfall patterns. The ACT has a higher elevation, southern latitude, and landlocked location, resulting in cool to cold winters and warm, dry summers with occasional thunderstorms. The higher mountains to the west of the ACT are snow-covered for much of the winter and early spring. The ACT's annual rainfall is 623 mm (25 inches), with the highest rainfall occurring in spring and summer and the lowest in winter.
The northern part of Australia experiences a tropical climate, with grasslands and desert regions. This region is subject to some of the largest interannual rainfall variability in the world. During the hottest months, from October to March, the region receives little rainfall, with average temperatures often exceeding 35°C. In contrast, the southern-east and south-west corners of Australia have a more temperate climate with moderately fertile soil.
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Lack of mountains
Australia's climate is significantly influenced by its geographical characteristics, including the absence of significant mountain ranges. This lack of mountains contributes to the country's overall aridity and impacts rain distribution across the continent.
Unlike regions with substantial mountain ranges, Australia lacks the geographical features necessary to force moisture-laden air upwards, leading to a reduced occurrence of precipitation. Mountains play a crucial role in inducing the upward movement of moist air, which then condenses and releases rainfall. In the absence of such topographical features, Australia experiences a lack of rain, particularly in its interior regions.
The coastal areas of Australia do receive a considerable amount of rainfall. However, as the continent is relatively flat, this moisture is unable to reach the core, resulting in a contrast between the relatively wet coastal regions and the dry interior. This phenomenon is further exacerbated by the large geographical size of Australia, which contributes to the variability in climate across the continent.
The impact of the lacking mountainous terrain is particularly evident when comparing Australia to nearby regions with similar latitudes, such as Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Tasmania, which benefit from higher rainfall levels and more lush landscapes. The absence of substantial mountain ranges in Australia also contributes to the rarity of snowfall, which is typically limited to elevated regions in the southwestern part of the country.
The combination of geographical factors, including the lack of mountains, contributes to Australia's unique climate characteristics, including its low annual average rainfall, frequent droughts, and distinct seasonal patterns. These factors collectively shape the ecological dynamics and water availability across the continent.
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Subtropical high-pressure belt
The subtropical high-pressure belt, also known as the Australian High or the Australian subtropical ridge, is a large, semi-permanent high-pressure area or subtropical anticyclone. It is a dominant influence on the climate of Australia. This high-pressure block exhibits anticyclonic behaviour, circulating the air anticlockwise. It remains almost stationary for a prolonged period over the Bight, obstructing the typical easterly procession of weather systems across southern Australia.
The subtropical ridge seasonally vacillates between the Great Australian Bight in the south and the Northern Territory in the north. It is generally located between 25 and 40 degrees of south latitude, depending on the season. In summer, it typically sits over southern Australia as an Australian Bight High, providing dry weather in the proximate region. In winter, it normally moves north, allowing cold fronts and low-pressure systems to move up from the Great Australian Bight and bring rainfall to most parts of southern Australia.
The high-pressure belt is associated with blue skies for the parts of the country that sit beneath it. The Australian High influences the weather and climatic patterns of vast areas of Australia. The aridity of the Australian deserts and the summer drought of southern Australia is due to the large-scale subsidence and sinking motion of air in the system.
In the western part of the high, hot, dry northerly winds from the dry centre push through South Australia and Victoria, causing heatwave conditions in these regions. The Australian High is one of the drivers of the Southerly buster, which occurs on the southeast coast in the summer. In winter, when the high-pressure system is broad over the Australian landmass, widespread frost may occur.
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Coastal areas drain moisture
Australia's lack of rainfall is influenced by various factors, one of which is the impact of its coastal areas on moisture levels. While Australia's coastal regions receive a significant amount of rainfall, this moisture does not reach the interior of the continent. This is due to the coastal areas draining the moisture from the air, leaving the air dry as it moves inland.
The coastal areas of Australia experience a different climate compared to the rest of the country. These coastal regions, particularly the eastern coast, benefit from the ocean's moderating influence, resulting in a more temperate climate. The coastal areas are generally wetter than the inland regions, receiving a substantial amount of rainfall.
However, the moisture from the coastal rainfall does not penetrate the continent's interior. As the moist air moves inland, the coastal areas act as a barrier, draining the moisture from the air. This results in the air becoming drier as it moves towards the centre of the continent. This phenomenon is similar to the rain shadow effect, where mountains block moisture-laden air, creating a dry region on the leeward side.
The lack of significant mountain ranges in Australia also plays a role in the country's low rainfall. In contrast to other continents, Australia's geography does not force moisture-laden air upwards, preventing the formation of glaciers and snow-capped mountains. This, combined with the draining effect of the coastal areas, contributes to the overall dryness of the continent.
The impact of the coastal areas on Australia's moisture levels is a significant factor in the country's arid climate. With over 80% of the land receiving less than 600 mm of rainfall annually, Australia is characterized by frequent droughts and variable climate patterns. The coastal drainage of moisture further exacerbates the dryness of the continent, particularly in the inland regions that are distant from the moisture-laden coastal air.
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Climate variability
Australia's climate is characterized by significant variability, encompassing a range of climates from temperate to tropical and arid conditions. This variability is influenced by various geographical and atmospheric factors.
One key factor is Australia's geographical position relative to the subtropical high-pressure belt. Located south of the high-moisture tropical belt enjoyed by Indonesia and New Guinea, Australia finds itself under the influence of the subtropical high-pressure belt, which brings dry air down from the upper atmosphere. This belt inhibits the upward movement of air, a crucial mechanism for rainfall. Consequently, Australia experiences dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north.
The country's large geographical size also plays a role in its climate variability. While coastal areas receive abundant rainfall, this very rainfall contributes to the core of the continent remaining dry by drawing moisture from the air before it reaches the interior. Australia's lack of significant mountain ranges further exacerbates the issue by preventing moisture-laden air from being forced upwards, a process essential for the formation of rivers and the seeding of mountains and glaciers with snow.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), which includes Canberra, exemplifies the country's climate variability. ACT experiences warm, dry summers with occasional thunderstorms, while its higher elevation, southern latitude, and landlocked location result in exclusively cool to cold winters, with heavy frosts and radiation fog. The highest temperature in the ACT was recorded at Canberra Airport, reaching 44.0 °C (111.2 °F) in January 2020. In contrast, the lowest temperature dipped to −14.6 °C (5.7 °F) in Gudgenby in July 1971.
The northern part of Australia exhibits tropical climate variability, with grasslands and desert regions. This region is subject to substantial interannual rainfall variability, with the distinction of having some of the largest rainfall variations in the world. During the hottest months, typically from October to March, the region experiences little rainfall, contributing to its arid or semi-arid nature.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has a very low annual average rainfall of 419 mm (16 in). More than 80% of the country receives less than 600 mm (24 in) of rainfall annually and 50% of the country receives less than 300 mm (12 in). This dryness is caused by the subtropical high-pressure belt (subtropical ridge), which brings dry air from the upper atmosphere down onto the continent.
The desert centre of the country, including Alice Springs and Uluru, is arid or semi-arid with little rain usually falling during the hottest months from October to March. Central Australia receives less than 250 mm (10 in) of annual rainfall.
Only the southeast and southwest corners of Australia have a temperate climate. The rest of the country has a tropical climate, varying between grasslands and desert, and is subject to some of the largest interannual rainfall variability in the world.
El Niño does not automatically mean it won't rain in Australia. While it can cause hot and dry conditions, the reality is that every El Niño event is different, and there is no set pattern for how they will behave.
