Map Construction

Construction technique:

This map uses the ANUDEM software package developed by the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies at the Australian National University, to estimate climatic conditions where climate data are not available. The estimation method takes into account the effect of elevation above sea level on climate variables such as temperature. In sparsely populated regions, which usually have few climate observation sites, the estimated conditions are not as reliable as in populous areas. In these data-sparse regions, the fine detail shown on the map owes more to local topography information (for which detailed data are available) than to climate data.

Climate zone definitions:

HOT HUMID SUMMER, WARM WINTER ZONE

where

• average January max temp >= 30 degrees C (a temperature of 29.5 deg C has been suggested by Australian research as the upper limit for thermal comfort) AND
• average 3 pm January water vapour pressure >= 2.1 kPa (this is about the upper humidity limit for comfort. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Airconditioning Engineers use 1.87 kPa. It also coincides most closely with the 24 degree C wet-bulb isotherm, which determines where evaporative cooling start to have some effect.)

WARM HUMID SUMMER, MILD WINTER ZONE

where

• average January max temp <= 30 degrees C AND
• average 3 pm January water vapour pressure >= 2.1 kPa

HOT, DRY SUMMER, WARM WINTER ZONE

where

• average January max temp > 30 degrees C AND
• average 3 pm January water vapour pressure < = 2.1 kPa) AND
• average July mean temperature > = 14 deg Celsius ( no heating is required if the mean temp in coldest month is above 15 degrees C).

HOT, DRY ZONE WITH COOL WINTER

where

• average January max temp > 30 deg C AND
• average 3 pm January water vapour pressure <= 2.1 kPa) AND
• average July mean temperature < = 14 deg Celsius

WARM SUMMER, COOL WINTER (TEMPERATE ZONE)

where

• average January max temp <= 30 degrees C AND
• average 3 pm January water vapour pressure <= 2.1 kPa AND
• average annual heating degree days (definition supplied for Glossary) <= 2000, using base 18 deg C

MILD TO WARM SUMMER, COLD WINTER (COOL TEMPERATE ZONE)

where

• average January max temp <= 30 degrees C AND
• average 3 pm January water vapour pressure <= 2.1 kPa) AND
• average annual heating degree days >= 2000, using base 18 deg C (this is the thresh-hold where edge insulation of concrete slabs becomes cost-effective.)