9.8.2 The difference between weather and climate Weather is the daily change in the atmosphere at a specific location. Extreme weather events are unexpected, rare or don’t follow the usual pattern. Climate is the average weather over a long period. Regions with similar weather belong to the same climatic zone. Australia’s size results in varied climates across its regions.
FIGURE4 Climatic zones of Australia
Nhulunbuy
Bellenden Ker
Innisfail
Tennant Creek
Charters Towers
Cloncurry
Rockhampton
Oodnadatta
Troudaninna
Albany
Charlotte Pass
0
400
800 km
Mount Hotham
Climatic zones
Mild wet
Tropical wet and dry
Mild; rain all year
Hot all year; wet summers; dry winters
Subtropical dry summer
Tropical wet
Warm all year; dry summers
Hot; wet for most of the year
Hot semi-desert
Subtropical wet
Hot all year; 250–500 mm of rain
Warm; rain all year
Hot desert
Subtropical dry winter
Hot all year; less than 250 mm of rain
Warm all year; dry winters
Source: MAPgraphics Pty Ltd, Brisbane
SkillBuilder discussion Communicating
1. How many different climatic zones are there in Australia? 2. Which parts of Australia have a tropical wet and dry climate? 3. Where do you find areas with a Mediterranean climate in Australia?
TOPIC9 Water in the world 293
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