News
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Geofabric stream network and catchment boundaries
Our knowledge of Australia's water landscape has taken a huge step forward with the launch of an exciting new spatial water information product.
The Geofabric, or as it is formally known, the Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric, is a specialised Geographic Information System (GIS). It shows spatial relationships and connections between hydrological features such as rivers, dams, reservoirs and catchments.
Read more about Where all the rivers run.
2011 Weather Calendar - photo by Dr. David Jones
The Bureau's popular weather calendar is back in 2011 with water information as its theme and is now on sale. To order your copy of the 2011 Australian Weather Calendar, call 1300 798 789 or visit www.calendarsales.com.au.
Read more about Weather Calendar turns to water.
Burrinjuck Dam - photo by Tanya Jacobson
Work on the first National Water Account (NWA 2010) is well underway and it will be available on the Bureau's website by April 2011.
The Bureau is working with 28 water agencies to prepare water accounting reports for the Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Murray-Darling Basin, Ord, Perth, South-east Queensland and Sydney regions.
Read more about National Water Account to be released in 2011.
Exploring our climate
National map of probability of exceeding median rainfall
Did you know that the Bureau of Meteorology provides free and unrestricted access to a wide range of Australia's historical climate information? You can view past weather for nearly 20,000 sites, some with data going back 160 years.
As well as looking back, you can look forward. Read Seasonal outlooks for the next three months and find out why the Bureau is forecasting a higher than average number of cyclones for the coming season.
Looking back, you can check temperature and rainfall averages and compare locations by downloading data, plots, charts and graphs. Find data for your local area or thousands of other sites.
An end to the drought?
Loddon River - photo by Goulburn-Murray Water
With so much rain and flooding in parts of Australia over the past few months, many people have asked if the drought has finally ended.
Not necessarily, according to the Special Climate Statement released by the Bureau of Meteorology in early October 2010.