Australian Climate Change and Variability

Just as Australia's weather changes from day-to-day, so does the climate - over decades, centuries and longer. The pages below describe some of the climate trends and variations in the Australian instrumental record, as well as the data and observation networks used.

Trend maps show the value of the linear trend of seasonal and annual mean rainfall, temperature, pan evaporation and sea surface temperature for selected regions and time periods. Timeseries graphs show historical values of rainfall, temperature, pan evaporation and sea surface temperature averaged over selected regions and seasons. Average maps show the long-term average value of rainfall, temperature, pan evaporation and sea surface temperature for selected seasons. The interactive Data Portal allows users to download historical monthly timeseries of Australian rainfall and temperature for user-defined areas.

Trend maps show the value of the linear trend of extreme daily rainfall and temperature indices for selected time periods. Timeseries graphs show historical averages of extreme daily rainfall and temperature indices.