Our weather and climate affects all Australians every day. This is the State of the Climate report for 2024.
Our climate has continued to change in the last two years, impacting us now and into the future. Across the world, greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are continuing to increase and globally, 2023 was the warmest year on record. Australia is also continuing to warm in line with global trends. The warming has led to an increase in the frequency of extreme heat events.
2023 was one of Australia's largest bushfire seasons in terms of area burned due to increased fuel loads from high rainfall in 2022 and early 2023 in northern areas. Across large parts of Australia there's been an increase in extreme fire weather and in the length of the fire season there has been a shift towards drier conditions across the south with more frequent years of below average rainfall.
In contrast, northern Australia has been wetter than average over the last 30 years. The intensity of heavy rainfall events is increasing as our climate warms. Oceans around Australia are warming and becoming more acidic, with changes happening faster in recent decades. This warming has led to more frequent marine heatwaves and permanent impacts on the health of our marine ecosystems.
The risk of coastal inundation and damage to infrastructure and communities is increasing with our rising sea levels. With ongoing changes in our weather and climate. Australia must plan for and adapt to the changing nature of climate risk now for future generations. To read the full report, visit our websites.
Our climate has continued to change in the last two years, impacting us now and into the future. Across the world, greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are continuing to increase and globally, 2023 was the warmest year on record. Australia is also continuing to warm in line with global trends. The warming has led to an increase in the frequency of extreme heat events.
2023 was one of Australia's largest bushfire seasons in terms of area burned due to increased fuel loads from high rainfall in 2022 and early 2023 in northern areas. Across large parts of Australia there's been an increase in extreme fire weather and in the length of the fire season there has been a shift towards drier conditions across the south with more frequent years of below average rainfall.
In contrast, northern Australia has been wetter than average over the last 30 years. The intensity of heavy rainfall events is increasing as our climate warms. Oceans around Australia are warming and becoming more acidic, with changes happening faster in recent decades. This warming has led to more frequent marine heatwaves and permanent impacts on the health of our marine ecosystems.
The risk of coastal inundation and damage to infrastructure and communities is increasing with our rising sea levels. With ongoing changes in our weather and climate. Australia must plan for and adapt to the changing nature of climate risk now for future generations. To read the full report, visit our websites.
State of the Climate 2024
31 October 2024
The State of the Climate report draws on the latest monitoring, science and projection information to describe variability and changes in Australia’s climate.