Analysis of trends in temperature and rainfall in selected regions of Australia over the last 100 years

Climate change has a significant impact on the environment as well as the social, economic and political fabric of Australia. This paper examines historical trends in temperature and rainfall in regions of Australia which represent different climatic regimes. In this study, we analyse trends in temperature and rainfall in three selected regions (Central eastern Queensland, south west Western Australia and central east Victoria) over the past 50-100 years. Observational data for daily maximum temperature, daily minimum temperature, daily mean temperature and total annual rainfall recorded at meteorological stations in these regions have been obtained from the National Climate Centre, Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). Historical trends in the observational data have been examined using time series analysis. The results indicate that Australia is experiencing rapid climate change. Over the last 100 years, Australian temperatures have increased on average by approximately 1°C. Rainfall distribution across the continent has changed during the last century and even more pronounced changes in rainfall patterns are evident over recent decades. Since the 1950s, an increase in rainfall in the northwest of Australia has been observed. In contrast, significant decline in rainfall over eastern and southwestern Australia has been recorded. Consequently, such trend as well as changes in rainfall and temperature patterns have manifested in changes of frequency of climate extremes such as droughts and floods. Detailed results of trend analysis of rainfall and temperature are presented. The results of this study are in good agreement with the findings of early studies.