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Gridded climate data available

References & Guides

Overview

The tables below detail the types of gridded data we have available for purchase. Metadata for each grid type can be viewed by selecting the name of the element in the table below. 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	1961 - 90	0.025°/2.5 km
Decadal & multi-decadal rainfall	mm	1911 onwards	0.05°/5 km
Rainfall percentages	percent	1961 - 90	0.025°/2.5 km
Maximum, minimum, & mean Temperature	°C	1961 - 90	0.025°/2.5 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 - 2003	0.25°/25 km
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 - 2002*	0.5°/50 km
Tropical Cyclones (TC)	cyclones	1969/70 - 05/06*	2.0°/200 km
Rainfall Percentiles (1,3, 6, 9 & 12 months)	mm	1900 - 2005	0.25°/25 km
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
Mean sea level pressure	hPa	1979 - 2000	1.25°/125 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.))
Solar Exposure	MJ	1990 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 coverage - all Australia, individual states or any rectangular area within Australia.

Output formats - ASCII row major format and Arc/Info^TM grid interchange (.e00) files.

Projection - GDA94

Metadata - Metadata for the grids are provided.

ArcGis - if you use ArcGIS and have the Spatial Analyst^TM extension, you will be able to import the grids as either ASCII files or Arc/Info^TM grid interchange (.e00) files.

Page updated: 13 December 2012