Gridded climatology data

References & Guides

Overview

The tables below detail the types of gridded data available for purchase. Metadata for each grid type is linked from the name of the element. For further information about the grids, including grid coverage, output formats and co-ordinate system, see Gridded climate data.

Average and climatological data

These grids contain data which have been averaged or analysed. For example, mean annual rainfall or heating degree days. These grids are available as annual averages or as monthly averages (with the exception of tropical cyclones, thunder days and lightning these elements are only available as annual grids).

Grid type

Unit

Averaging period

Grid resolution
(degrees/km(approx.))

Rainfall

mm

1981 - 2010

0.05°/5 km; 0.01°/1 km (upon request)

Decadal & multi-decadal rainfall

mm

1900 onwards

0.05°/5 km; 0.01°/1 km (upon request)

Rainfall Percentages

percent

1981 - 2010

0.05°/5 km; 0.01°/1 km (upon request)

Maximum, minimum, & mean Temperature

°C

1961 - 90

0.05°/5 km

Decadal & multi-decadal temperature

°C

1911 onwards

0.05°/5 km

Apparent indoor temperature

°C

1976 - 2005

0.1°/10 km

Potential frost days

°C

1976 - 2005

0.05°/5 km

Evapotranspiration (aa,ap & pp)

mm

1961 - 90

0.1°/10 km

Relative Humidity (9am & 3pm)

percent

1976 - 2005

0.1°/10 km

Sunshine Hours

hours

At least 15 years of records

0.25°/25 km

Cloud (9am & 3pm)

oktas

1976 - 2005

0.1°/10 km

Evaporation (Class A Pan)

mm

1975 - 2005

0.25°/25 km

Rainfall Variability

index

1900 - 2019

0.05°/5 km; 0.01°/1 km (upon request)

Days of Rain

days

1961 - 90

0.1°/10 km

Heating & Cooling Degree Days (Base temp. 12°C or 18°C and 18°C or 24°C )

degree days

1961 - 90

0.1°/10 km

Thunder Days

days

1990 - 99*

0.25°/25 km

Lightning

flashes/km2/yr

1995 - 2012*

0.5°/50 km

Rainfall Percentiles (1,3, 6, 9 & 12 months)

mm

1900 - 2019

0.05°/5 km; 0.01°/1 km (upon request)

Temperature Percentiles (1,3, 6, 9 & 12 months)

°C

1950 - 2005

0.25°/25 km

Solar Exposure

MJ/m2

1990 - 2011

0.05°/5 km

Solar ultraviolet (UV) Index

index

1979 - 2007

1.5°/150 km

Wind Velocity

km/h

2004 - 2008

0.125°/12.5 km

Climate Classifications
(Köppen, temperature/humidity & seasonal rain)

index

 

 

* in the period column above indicates that only annual grids are available for that element.

Actual data

These grids contain observational data, and are available as monthly or annual totals.
Daily grids of solar exposure are available at a high resolution, prices on request.

Grid type

Unit

Period

Grid resolution
(degrees/km(approx.))

Daily Solar Exposure

MJ

1990 onward

0.05°/5km

Hourly Solar Exposure

MJ

1990 onward

0.05°/5km

Daily Rainfall

mm

1900 onward

0.05°/5km

Monthly Rainfall

mm

1900 onward

0.05°/5km

Daily maximum and mininum temperature

°C

1900 onward

0.05°/5km

Monthly maximum and mininum temperature

°C

1900 onward

0.05°/5km

Daily 9am & 3pm vapour pressure

hPa

1971 onward

0.05°/5km

Grid formats and projection information

Detailed metadata for any of the above elements can be viewed by clicking on the name of the element in the above tables. The table below summarises some key elements of the grids, further information about the grids, including grid coverage, output formats and co-ordinate system, can be found under gridded climate data.

Grid coverageall Australia, individual states or any rectangular area within Australia.
Output formatsNetCDF, Arc-ASCII row major format
Projection GDA94
Metadata Metadata for the grids are provided.
ArcGisif you use ArcGIS and have the Spatial AnalystTM extension, you will be able to visualise and analyse either the Arc-ASCII or NetCDF files.

Climate