Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Causes of Drought

The cause of drought is generally related to the amount of rainfall. Australia has one of the most variable rainfall climates in the world. Over the long term we have about three good years and three bad years out of ten. These fluctuations have many causes, but the strongest is the climate phenomenon called the Southern Oscillation. This is a major air pressure shift between the Asian and east Pacific regions - its best-known extreme is El Niño.

El Niño: refers to the extensive warming of the central and eastern Pacific that leads to a major shift in weather patterns. In Australia El Niño events are associated with drier conditions.

The Opposite

La Niña: refers to the cooling of the central and eastern Pacific. In Australia, La Niña events are associated with wetter conditions.



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