Right across the nation, the rain has stayed away - THE BIG DRY: [1 Edition]
Bruce Montgomery * Science writer, John Stapleton. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 23 Sep 2002: 4.
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Abstract
Whether the current drought is a sign that the continent as a whole is getting drier is a matter of debate. As researchers continue to try to fathom thecombination of enhanced greenhouse warming of the planet and Australia's bete noire, El Nino, the signs appear ominous for worsening droughts here.
THE simple question "Just how bad is it?" is not so easy to answer with the prevailing drought. While some areas are showing record dries, what is most surprising about this drought is not so much its intensity but just how widespread it is.
Maps show around half the country recording serious rain deficits in the five months April to August -- that is in the bottom 10 per cent of average rainfall recorded for each area.
With the exception of small pockets in southeast Queensland, northwest Western Australia and western Tasmania, virtually the entire remainder of the country has received below average rainfall during the last six months.
Some metereologists are comparing this drought to that of 1902, the driest year on record across the nation.
Whether the current drought is a sign that the continent as a whole is getting drier is a matter of debate. As researchers continue to try to fathom thecombination of enhanced greenhouse warming of the planet and Australia's bete noire, El Nino, the signs appear ominous for worsening droughts here.
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