Climate change and drought

Drought more likely

Climate change is making drought more likely in southern Australia.

Less rainfall predicted

Many regions are likely to spend more time in drought with predicted decreases in cool season rainfall (April to October) over coming decades.

This is associated with an expected shift in the track of rain-bearing fronts further south.

Impact on water reserves

Decreasing rainfall, with fewer very wet years, makes it harder for water reserves to recover.

While there may be enough water to meet short-term needs, we are more vulnerable to another drought. We won't have the reserves to sustain us over periods of lower-than-average rainfall.

See our Australian Water Outlook website for the projected impact of climate change on soil moisture, runoff and evaporation.

Increasing temperatures

Increasing temperatures can mean drought has more impact, by worsening dry conditions.

Our planet is warming because of increased greenhouse gases. The rise in average temperature means more extreme weather, including extremes in temperature.

Learn more about greenhouse gases and their impact, on our Climate change in Australia page.