Climate Drivers and Australian Climate
Use the data viewer to answer the following questions. For each question, select the climate driver and season referenced in the question, and then compare the differences in observed rainfall and minimum and maximum temperatures (TMin/TMax).
Use the arrows or radio buttons to advance through Questions 1-8.
Question 1 of 8
What influence can a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) have in winter and spring? Select all that apply.
The correct answers are b, c.
The positive phase of the IOD typically results in drier than normal winter/spring conditions across central and southeast Australia. Temperatures tend to be warmer than normal across the southern part of the country but are typically cooler than normal in the northeast.
Question 2 of 8
How do the effects of a positive IOD on rainfall change during summer? Choose the best answer.
The correct answer is b.
A positive IOD has less influence during the summer months and the rainfall outlooks will tend toward more normal conditions. Summer rainfall amounts tend to be dominated by other climate drivers, such as ENSO, SAM, or regional sea surface temperatures.
Question 3 of 8
What is the typical influence of El Niño on rainfall and maximum temperatures during winter and spring? Select all that apply.
The correct answers are b, c.
El Niño has a very strong effect on rainfall amounts in eastern Australia. During El Niño, large parts of eastern Australia typically experience drier than usual conditions during winter and spring. Temperatures tend to be above normal except in the northernmost part of the country.
Question 4 of 8
What is the typical influence of La Niña on rainfall and maximum temperatures during winter and spring? Select all that apply.
The correct answers are a, d.
La Niña tends to result in wetter than normal conditions in winter/spring across central and eastern Australia. This change from below normal rainfall during El Niño to above normal rainfall during La Niña is the classic dry/wet cycle associated with ENSO. Temperatures during La Niña tend to be cooler than normal across much of Australia.
Question 5 of 8
What can you observe about the influence of El Niño during summer compared to winter? Select all that apply.
The correct answers are a, b.
El Niño often results in a drier than normal northern summer wet season. However, away from the tropics the chance of rainfall tends to return to normal in summer. Some locations are even more likely to see a wetter than usual summer as El Niño decays.
Question 6 of 8
What can you observe about the influence of La Niña on rainfall and maximum temperatures during summer versus winter? Select all that apply.
The correct answers are a, d.
La Niña tends to result in wetter than usual conditions, with cooler maximum temperatures during the summer months. The trend toward wet, cool conditions during the winter lingers into the summer months.
Question 7 of 8
What is the typical influence of a negative IOD on rainfall and maximum temperature during winter and spring? Select all that apply.
The correct answers are a, d.
During winter and spring, a negative IOD tends to result in above normal rainfall and cooler than normal temperatures across large parts of Australia. Temperatures trend toward normal or above normal in the northernmost part of the country.
Question 8 of 8
How do the effects of a negative IOD on rainfall change during the summer? Choose the best answer.
The correct answer is c.
The IOD does not influence rainfall during the summer months. The southward progression of the monsoon trough into the southern hemisphere each year disrupts the IOD circulation and the tropical Indian Ocean returns to the neutral state of the IOD.
Use the arrows or radio buttons to advance through Questions 1-8. Be sure to complete all 8 questions before continuing to the next page. The information provided via these exercises will be useful for completing the case studies included in this lesson.