AUSTRALIAN CLIMATE INFLUENCES
Australia's climate can vary greatly from one year to the next. Influences will have varying levels of impact in different regions at different times of year.
EL NIÑO SOUTHERN OSCILLATION
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the term used to describe the oscillation between the El Niño (negative) and the La Niña (positive) phases. El Niño conditions generally result in below average rainfall over much of eastern Australia.
La Niña conditions generally result in above average rainfall.
EAST COAST LOW
East Coast Lows are intense low pressure systems that occur off the eastern coast of Australia. They occur more commonly during late autumn and winter, with a maximum frequency in June. An East Coast Low can generate very strong winds, heavy rain leading to flooding, and rough seas and heavy swells that can cause coastal erosion and inundation.
This satellite image, dated Saturday 9 June 2007, shows the cloud associated with a low as it sits off the NSW coast.