D. C. Verdon-Kidd & A. S. Kiem, GRL, 36 (2009), Nature and causes of protracted droughts in southeast Australia: Comparison between the Federation, WWII, and Big Dry droughts

Geophysical Research Letters, 36 (2009) L22707; doi: 10.1029/2009GL041067. 

Nature and causes of protracted droughts in southeast Australia: Comparison between the Federation, WWII, and Big Dry droughts

Nature and causes of protracted droughts in southeast Australia: Comparison between the Federation, WWII, and Big Dry droughts

Danielle C. Verdon-Kidd and Anthony S. Kiem (School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia)

Abstract

Three protracted droughts have occurred during the instrumental history of Southeast Australia (SEA) – the “Federation” (∼1895–1902), “World War II” (∼1937–1945) and the “Big Dry” (∼1997–present). This paper compares the nature and causes of these droughts in order to better inform drought management strategies in SEA. It is shown that the three droughts differ in terms of severity, spatial footprint, seasonality and seasonal rainfall make-up. This diversity arises due to the fact that the droughts are driven by different climatic teleconnections with the Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans. Importantly, this study highlights potential flaws with drought forecasting and management in SEA and emphasises the need for further research into understanding and representing hydroclimatic drivers of drought.

Received 22 September 2009; accepted 30 October 2009; published 26 November 2009.

Citation: Verdon-Kidd, D. C., & Kiem, A. S. (2009), Nature and causes of protracted droughts in southeast Australia: Comparison between the Federation, WWII, and Big Dry droughts, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L22707; doi: 10.1029/2009GL041067.