Karl takes us through the State of the Climate 2016

BOM Climate Monitoring
Manager, Karl Braganza, talks
today at LAB-14 about the
State of the Climate 2016.

Karl Braganza explained the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) “State of the Climate 2016” report to about 100 people today.

The Climate Monitoring Manager with the BOM was the guest lecturer at the University of Melbourne’s Carlton Connect Initiative in the Swanston St “LAB-14” lecture theatre.

Karl who completed his Ph.D. at Monash University in 2002 and according to University of Melbourne atmospheric scientist, Professor David Karoly, who today introduced Karl and guided him to the conclusion of his studies, he has been with BOM ever since.

Karl took those at the lecture through the State of the Climate 2016 report, as shown on BOM website.

Karl clearly has a thorough understanding of climate change and its impact and implications, but only strayed occasionally into philosophizing about the effects of our disrupted climate system.

The fourth biennial State of the Climate report is the work of the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO, who each play an important role in monitoring, analyzing and communicating observed changes in Australia's climate.

The report draws on the latest monitoring, science, and projection information, it is explained on the website, to describe variability and changes in Australia's climate, and how it is likely to change in the future.

“Observations and climate modelling paint a consistent picture of ongoing, long-term climate change interacting with underlying natural variability,” it says.

According to the report, “These changes affect many Australians, particularly changes associated with increases in the frequency or intensity of heat events, fire weather, and drought.

“Australia will need to plan for and adapt to some level of climate change. This report is a synthesis of the science informing our understanding of climate in Australia and includes new information about Australia's climate of the past, present and future.

“The science underpinning this report will help inform a range of economic, environmental and social decision-making and local vulnerability assessments, by government, industry, and communities,” it says.

'Interesting times' explained Beneath the Wisteria

Earlier and longer lasting fire seasons will be one of the most obvious manifestations of climate change, according to Dr. Karl Braganza.

The manager of Climate Monitoring at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has warned of an increase in extreme fire weather, and a longer fire season; and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) describes what evolving as “interesting”.

Those who gather Beneath the Wisteria in Shepparton’s Maude St Mall will have the chance next month to hear about how the authority is preparing for these “interesting” times.

Mr. Alex Gauchey from the Benalla office of the CFA has confirmed that someone from the authority will be at the Saturday, December 17, gathering to talk about CFA preparations for the fire season.

The December 17 event starts at 11:00am, lasts for about an hour and although some public seating is available, those attending are urged to bring a folding chair. It’s free.

As an aside, Dr. Braganza will discuss the bureau’s State of the Climate 2016 report at an event in the seminar room at Lab 14, University of Melbourne, in Swanston St, on Thursday, December 1 at 11:00am.

Bookings for this free event can be made at Eventbrite.

Australia swelters through warmest autumn on record

A graphic shows Australia’s warmest autumn on
record with record temperatures throughout
much of eastern and northern Australia.

After officially sweltering through the warmest autumn on record, Australians can expect a return to normal chilly weather this winter.

The mean temperature between March and the end of May hit a fresh high of 23.86C, with records set in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

Thermometers hovered 1.86C above average, the biggest climb above an average seasonal temperature since spring 2014.

Some of the hottest temperatures were recorded during the prolonged heatwave in March, with Mardie in Western Australia’s north hitting 47C, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Karl Braganza, the bureau’s manager of climate monitoring, said a strong El Niño combined with global warming to push thermometers to their highest levels for autumn since records began in 1910.

Read The Guardian story - “Australia records warmest autumn ever.”

Small numbers, but huge impact

Bureau of Meteorology climate
 monitoring manager, Karl Braganza

The percentages maybe miniscule, but the impacts are significant.

Temperatures are up by only one two percent, but rainfall is some Australian states are down by more than 50 percent.

Again, small numbers, big impact.

In a report headed: “Australia had hottest spring and second hottest November on record” The Guardian Australia tells us that Spring 2014’s average temperature of 24C exceeded the mean by 1.5C.

2014 Climate report analysed, dissected and discussed

Dr Karl Braganza of the BOM.

The State of the Climate Report 2014 was analysed, dissected and discussed at a Melbourne session on Wednesday, March 14.

The session, in Village Roadshow Theatrette at the State Library, was organized by the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society.

Speakers at the session were Dr Karl Braganza from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), who gave an overview for Australia; Dr Scott Power, also from the BOM, who discussed El Nino and climate change; Dr Aillie Gallant from Monash University who considered rainfall extremes; Dr Sophie Lewis, from the University of Melbourne, who explained temperature extremes across Australia; and Dr Penny Whetton, from the CSIRO, who discussed projections and impacts for Australians.

Peter Christoff, who was the editor of the book, “Four Degrees of Global Warming: Australia in a Hot World”, was the MC for the evening.