Rain

Analysis and Comment (9)

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Another summer, not quite like the other summers. Steve Lacy

Floods, fires and lots of heat: summing up summer 2012-13

By Jane Rawson, The Conversation

We all know what to expect from summer in Australia. From December through March it will be hot, there will be storms and floods, and there will be bush fires. It’s been like that for as long as history…
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Australia’s latest summer has been significant for weather and for climate. VIBE Audio

Hot summer? Yes: the hottest

By Blair Trewin, Australian Bureau of Meteorology and Karl Braganza, Australian Bureau of Meteorology

This summer hasn’t just felt hot. It’s been hot. In fact, the summer of 2012-13 is now the hottest on record. Average temperatures beat the record set in the summer of 1997-98, and daytime maximum temperatures…
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A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, and that can lead to more extreme rainfall. AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Increases in rainfall extremes linked to global warming

By Seth Westra

Rainfall extremes are increasing around the world, and the increase is linked to the warming of the atmosphere which has taken place since pre-industrial times. This is the conclusion of a recent study…
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What does it matter how much rain falls on the ocean? For understanding climate, it matters quite a lot. Ines Hegedus-Garcia

Are the world’s wet regions becoming wetter and dry regions becoming drier?

By Paul J Durack, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Surprising evidence from the oceans suggests they are responding to warming at a faster rate than we previously thought. These changes are expressed by patterns of freshening and enhanced salinity in the…
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We’re just coming to grips with Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation, one of the many climate modes that cause Australia’s wide and wonderful range of climate variability. mattharvey1/Flickr

Decade to decade changes in our climate – what’s really going on?

By Andrew B. Watkins, Australian Bureau of Meteorology and Karl Braganza, Australian Bureau of Meteorology

While most people now understand that the enhanced greenhouse effect means a much warmer planet, communicating regional shifts in weather remains a significant challenge. As with most complex science…
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The climate system operates with a range of discrete modes. Patrick Hoesly

Explainer: climate modes and drought

By James Risbey, CSIRO

While most people now understand that the enhanced greenhouse effect means a much warmer planet, communicating regional shifts in weather remains a significant challenge. As with most complex science…
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Scientists' job is to brief us on how future climate might affect our lives, even when all the data isn’t in. Rae Allen

Droughts & flooding rains: what is due to climate change?

By Karl Braganza, Australian Bureau of Meteorology

While most people now understand that the enhanced greenhouse effect means a much warmer planet, communicating regional shifts in weather remains a significant challenge. As with most complex science…
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Rain’s coming: does that mean there’s no such thing as climate change? Georgie Sharp

A land of (more extreme) droughts and flooding rains?

By Karl Braganza, Australian Bureau of Meteorology

While most people now understand that the enhanced greenhouse effect means a much warmer planet, communicating regional shifts in weather remains a significant challenge. As with most complex science…
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When it comes to weather, scientists and the media have different understandings of risk. Ameel Khan

Spinning uncertainty? The IPCC extreme weather report and the media

By Roger Jones, Victoria University

The “reasonable person” would agree that disaster risk is best avoided. Under a changing climate, how exposed people are to risk and how socially and physically vulnerable they are affects how often disasters…

Research and News (2)

Research Briefs (4)

Monsoon drought visible in tree rings

University of Arizona

Tree growth rings in America have given an insight into the effects of long-term droughts due to monsoon failure. Common…

How mosquitos can stand the rain

Georgia Tech

A mosquito being rained on is the equivalent in size, mass and force of a human being hit by a car, so how do they survive…

Making rain with lasers

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Shooting lasers into the air can trigger the formation of water droplets, a technique that could be used to help stimulate…

Participants (51)