1. Lesson three: Weather and Climate

2. Weather and Climate Weather reflects short- term conditions of temperature, precipitation, cloud cover and air pressure. Climate is the average daily weather for a number of years (often 30) at a certain location. Climate is what we predict and weather is what we get.

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. 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).

6. 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

7. Weather and Climate Powerful storms and cyclones affect coastal areas

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Extreme weather: Bushfires Watch the informative Bushfires Video about the issue of bushfires in Australia (see downloadable resources). Backburning © robdownunder, Flickr

12. Bushfires in Australia Go to YouTube to watch a clip about recent bushfires in AustraliaYouTube Backburning © robdownunder, Flickr

13. Extreme weather: Bushfires Are bushfires near cyclone areas?

14. Population Density Do 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

15. Extreme weather: Cyclones Do cyclones occur in the North or South? Do they affect coastal or inland areas?

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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’.