Australia Climate

Australia lies in the Southern Hemisphere and the seasons here occur at different times of the year than in Europe. November - March are considered summer months while winter falls in May and lasts through August. However Australia climate is not uniform in every part of the country. For example New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland experience almost scorching summers and pleasant chilly winters while Victoria and Tasmania endure extremely cold conditions during the winter months.

It is also mention worthy that Australia is an island and hence there is an extreme variation between the pleasant, coastal weather and harsh, inland climatic conditions. The precipitation of Australia is extremely low when compared to other continents and landmasses. The average rainfall is about 16 ½ inches per year. Thus, the dry climate in most of the country especially the northern region leads to droughts, heat waves and resultant wildfires. Such forest fires are a major cause of concern in Australia. The Eucalyptus leaves ignite due to the unbearable temperatures and dry winds causing these hazardous phenomena. Different winds crisscross the various regions of Australia. While northern and western Australia is hit by the water-laden easterlies in summer and often faces cyclonic storms and hurricanes moving in from the coast, winter months in these areas are rather dry. Then again the east moving anticyclones that blow across central Australia bring no rain or relief to these arid parts. Also every five years the heavy moisture laden winds empty their load into the Pacific Ocean instead of Australia, which undergoes a year of drought and dryness.

Thus Australian climate may be classified as arid or semi arid in general. The northern parts are more tropical while the south and east enjoy moderate weather. The landform of Australia too is a low plateau with a fertile plain to the southeastern tip. The lack of a high mountain range etc. also hinders the prospect of a heavy rainfall.

The average summer temperature in Australia is about 84 degrees F or 29 degrees C. Similarly the average winter temperature ranges around 56 degrees F or 13 degrees C.