Lesson three: Weather and Climate

Weather and Climate

Australia’s weather and climate

Australia is a large country, and spans three of the Earth’s climate zones.

Australia covers the tropical, arid, and temperate climate zones.

The north of Australia is closest to the Equator and the south is furthest from the Equator.

Proximity to the Equator is one factor that affects climate.

Australia’s Climates:Weather patterns over time

The north is tropical (hot and humid).

The south is arid (hot and dry).

The very southeast and southwest are temperate (mild and moderate rain and temperature).

Latitude and Climate

About 40% of Australia lies within the tropics (the zone between the Equator and Tropic of Capricorn), where the weather is warm all year round and there are only two seasons: wet and dry.

The remainder of the country is arid or temperate, experiencing all four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter).

Australia’s seasons

Australia’s seasons are opposite to the UK, this is because Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere and the UK is in the Northern Hemisphere.

During Australia’s winter, it is our summer time here in the UK.

Source: www.imagekb.com

Weather and Climate

Powerful storms and cyclones affect coastal areas

Climate change in Australia

Climate change has impacted rainfall in Australia, resulting in drought (long periods without rain).

Agriculture needs irrigation systems to provide enough water. The inland areas are most affected by drought and water shortages, which

is one of the reasons why they are less (sparsely) populated.

Dried up waterways in Northeastern Australia

Dried up Waterways, North Eastern Australia© Hellsgeriatric, Flickr

Delicate ecosystems

The corals in the Great Barrier Reef are being affected by climate change: they are beginning to bleach (and die) as waters get warmer.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia © eutrophication&hypoxia, Flickr

The Box Jellyfish

Climate change has caused the temperate of oceans to rise.

This has led to an increasingly number of jellyfish blooms.

The northern Australian box jellyfish is the world’s most venomous animal.

Its tentacles reach up to three metres and its bell is nearly the size of a human head.

Use a football and metre stick to create a true size model of the box jelly fish.

Box Jellyfish © Dr. Andrew Lee

Extreme weather:Bushfires

Watch the informative Bushfires Video about the issue of bushfires in Australia (see downloadable resources).

Backburning © robdownunder, Flickr

Bushfires in Australia

Go to YouTube to watch a clip about recent bushfires in Australia

Backburning © robdownunder, Flickr

Extreme weather:Bushfires

Are bushfires near cyclone areas?

Population DensityDo bushfires occur in the most densely populated areas?

The parts of the map shaded in orange have the highest population.

Darwin

Perth

Sydney

Canberra(capital city)

Melbourne

Adelaide

Brisbane

Extreme weather:Cyclones

Do cyclones occur in the North or South?

Do they affect coastal or inland areas?

Main Activity

Write a report on an extreme weather episode in Australia.

Use the lesson information on bushfires or do independent research into cyclones or drought to gather geographical information.

Your report should recount a specific event, including date and location.

Describe weather conditions and risks to the human and physical environment.

Include a map of areas most affected by this type of extreme weather.

Success Criteria:

1) The weather conditions associated with this type of event.

2) The areas of the country most affected.

3) The impact this event can have on the human and physical environment.

4) Ways people can protect the human and physical environment.

5) How people and emergency services react and handle these episodes.

Plenary

Present your report and take questions from other members of the class about your chosen event.

Have you met the success criteria? Self and peer-assessment:

‘2 stars and a wish’.