Canberra

Seminar Abstract

Thursday 15 April 2010
10.30am (AEST time)
CSIRO Christian Laboratory, Canberra

Mr Clem Davis
Visiting Fellow
Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU
Dr Janette Lindesay
Associate Professor
Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU

The Changing Climate of the Canberra Region.

Observations suggest that the climate of the Canberra region has been changing, tending towards warmer and drier conditions. Given that local climate change is likely to have considerable impacts on plants, animals and human activity, we need to determine whether such change is in fact the case and if so whether these changes could be attributable to climate change. A detailed analysis of the Canberra climate record is particularly timely since it now extends over seven complete decades.

This study analyses temperature data at Canberra Airport (1940-2009) and rainfall data from Canberra Airport (1940-2009) and Queanbeyan (1871-2009) to identify and explain trends in the climate record. Results show an increase in maximum temperatures of the order of 0.2 ^o C/decade and in minimum temperatures of 0.17 ^o C/decade. Winter is becoming warmer and shorter while summer is becoming hotter but not necessarily longer. There has also been a significant increase in heat waves in the last two decades. There is a clear recent drying trend in autumn, although annual rainfall does not show any significant trend. The results are consistent with other larger-scale climate studies in Australia and with the regional climate trends expected under climate change.

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Location:
CSIRO = Pye Laboratory, Black Mountain, Canberra

Last updated 30/04/10