Australias Pattern of

Climate and
Vegetation
Climate & Rainfall
The size and location of Australia ensures that it has a wide range
of climates.
Climate: the long-term variation in the atmosphere, relating mainly
to temperature and precipitation (i.e. rain).
Australia is widely known as the dry continent.
Around 80% of Australia has a rainfall of less than 600 mm per
year and 50% has less than 300 mm.
The rainfall is not only low but also highly variable, and droughts (a
prolonged period of below-average precipitation) are a common
occurrence.
Pressure Systems
The main reason Australia is so dry is that much of the
continent lies in an area dominated by high pressure for
most of the year.
High pressure systems drift from west to east across
the continent bringing dry, stable, sinking air. This
results in atmospheric conditions that are not favourable
for rainfall.
High vs. Low Pressure
Systems
High Pressure Systems Low Pressure Systems
Air sinks down from above
and warms as it does so.
Fine weather and light winds.
Dry and stable air.
Air rises and clouds begin to
form.
Cloudy, rainy weather.
Moist, unstable air.
Pressure Systems continued...
The wettest parts of Australia are the northern and
eastern coastal areas and the west coast of Tasmania.
The northern part of Australia generally has a summer
rainfall maximum. In summer, a trough of low pressure
can extend south from the Equator, bringing moist,
unstable air in north-westerly winds over the area.
This can lead to widespread rain, particularly near
the coast. This is often referred to as the
north-west monsoon.
Monsoon: the seasonal change in wind direction
that is experienced in much of the tropics.
Troughs are regions of relatively low pressure.
....
During the summer and autumn, tropical cyclones can develop off
the coast of northern Australia and bring heavy rain, especially to
coastal areas.
During winter much of the area is dominated by high pressure
systems that have moved further north. Dry and stable air from the
interior of Australia dominates the area and there is little rainfall.
...
The southern part of Australia generally has more rain in winter.
During winter, cold fronts in association with low pressure systems
move further north over this area and bring cool moist air and rain
as the cold fronts pass through.
The heaviest rain falls on the coastal margins, including the west
coast of Tasmania.
Average Rainfall in Australia for
January & July
Temperature
Variations in temperature occur for several
reasons.
One reason is that at higher latitudes on the
Earths curved surface, solar radiation (heat
from the sun) is spread more widely than at
places at lower latitudes (see the diagram at
right). The suns rays that reach the Earth
near the Equator (that is, at low latitudes)
have a smaller area to heat than rays
reaching the Earth at higher latitudes. This
explains why Darwin experiences higher
temperatures than Melbourne.
Temperature
continued...
Places inland tend to be warmer in summer and cooler in winter
than places on the coast.
This is because of the moderating effect of the oceans on
temperature. The oceans heat and cool more slowly than the land
and their temperatures vary less throughout the year. In winter,
places near the ocean are warmer than places inland, whereas in
summer they are cooler.
Average Temperatures in Australia for
January & July
Questions!
1) Explain why Australia has a wide range of climates.
2) State whether each of the following statements is true or false.
a) The wettest parts of Australia are in the inland areas.
b) High pressure systems move from west to east across the Australian
continent.
c) Low Pressure Systems provide cloudy and rainy weather.
d) Tropical cyclones are common in northern Australia during winter.
3) Refer to the map on slide 5.
a) Describe the movement of high pressure systems across Australia.
b) How do high pressure systems contribute to Australias dryness?
4) Refer to the maps on slide 10 showing Australias average rainfall for January
and July:
a) Moving in a line from Adelaide to Darwin, describe the changes in rainfall that
occur in January.
b) Moving in a line from Brisbane to Perth, describe the changes in rainfall that
occur in January.
c) Moving in a line from Hobart to Darwin, describe the changes in rainfall that
occur in July.
d) Using the maps on page 35 showing a summer low pressure trough and the
passage of a winter cold front, explain the main reasons for the distribution of
rainfall over Australia in January and July.
5) Refer to the maps on slide 13 showing average temperatures in Australia in
January and July:
a) Rank the following towns and cities from the warmest to the coolest for
temperatures in January: Perth, Mount Isa, Mount Gambier, Hobart
b) Rank the following towns and cities from coldest to warmest for temperatures
in July: Alice Springs, Hobart, Darwin, Melbourne, Mackay
c) Explain why Alice Springs has higher average daily temperatures in July than
Mackay, even though Mackay has a slightly lower latitude.
Australias Pattern of Vegetation
The size and latitudinal extent of Australia has resulted in a wide
variety of vegetation.
Because of the dry climate, about 40% of Australia is covered by
grassland and shrubs.
In higher rainfall areas, trees dominate.
In the medium to high rainfall areas, much of the natural vegetation
has been cleared for agricultural and urban development.
Australian Vegetation