Droughts in Australia

Australian Droughts and Weather Patterns

• A major drought in Australia led to the failure of the wheat crop in the 1860s.

1877 Drought

• The state of Queensland experienced disastrous losses due to severe drought in 1877.

Sydney's Rainfall

• In 1888, Sydney received approximately 27 inches less rain than normal.

20th-Century Droughts

• The mid-20th century saw frequent dry spells over New South Wales, Victoria, much of Queensland, and parts of Western Australia.

Drought Break

• The drought broke in the southern states of Australia in 1946 and 1947.

Worst Drought of the 20th Century

• 1965 is regarded as the worst drought of the twentieth century for short-term rainfall deficiencies.

1991 Queensland Drought

• The severe drought in Queensland in 1991 was influenced by the El Niño weather pattern.

1967 Tasmanian Fires

• The 1967 Tasmanian fires resulted in 62 deaths.

Defining Drought in Australia

• According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, drought in Australia is defined as a prolonged dry period with rainfall deficiencies of more than 10% below the average for three consecutive months.

Factors Considered in Drought Definition

• The definition of drought in Australia takes into account rainfall deficiencies, soil moisture, and other climatic factors.

Frequency of Severe Droughts

• On average, a 'severe' drought occurs in Australia every 18-20 years, according to Bureau of Meteorology records since the 1860s.