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Intense low-pressure systems that happen on average several times a year off the east coast of Australia – in particular, southern Queensland, New South Wales and eastern Victoria.
Describes the radio signal that appears on a radar display when it's reflected by precipitation such as rain or hail.
Dynamic biological community of interacting plant, animal and micro-organisms and their physical environment.
Small disturbance in the wind that can cause turbulence.
Movement of water in wind-driven currents. This process brings colder water to the coastline.
Refers to the extensive warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean that leads to a major shift in weather patterns across the Pacific Ocean and neighbouring countries. In Australia (particularly eastern Australia), drier and warmer-than-average conditions are more likely in El Niño events.
A natural cycle in the Pacific Ocean that can affect global weather and climate. ENSO swings between 3 phases: El Niño, neutral and La Niña. The Southern Oscillation refers to changes in the atmospheric pressure pattern (and hence in the climate) that are linked to changes in the sea surface temperature pattern.
Zone of relatively low pressure along the equator, including across northern Australia.
The time when the sun crosses the equator, when night and day are of equal length. This is around 21 March (autumn equinox) and 22 September (spring equinox).
Changing from liquid to vapour.
When assessing and accounting for water resources, evaporation refers to the movement of water from the land surface (mainly liquid) to the atmosphere (water vapour). Land surface water available for evaporation includes surface water, soil water, water within vegetation, and water on vegetation and paved surfaces.
Total amount of water moved from the land surface to the atmosphere through evaporation and plant transpiration.
Plant transpiration describes how water moves through a plant and evaporates from exposed parts such as leaves and stems.
Area of clear skies that develops in the centre of a tropical cyclone. It usually comes with light winds and no rain.
Organised band of cumulonimbus clouds that surrounds the eye of a tropical cyclone.