Latest news with #Ex-Tropical
Sydney Morning Herald
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Sydney Morning Herald
The intensifying climate driver behind the coastal deluges and inland drought
From Queensland to the South Coast of NSW, rainfall has been unusually high. That started with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March, which a rapid attribution study by ClimaMeter found was slower and wetter because of climate change. Climate scientists expect fewer cyclones in Australia as the planet heats up, but warn they are moving further south and carrying more rain. This week the higher rainfall has been evident with floods on the Mid North Coast of NSW. McDowell said Taree on the Mid North Coast had recorded its highest ever two-day rainfall on record in the two days to 9am Wednesday – about 400 millimetres or about a third of its typical annual rainfall. East Coast Lows – which can be influenced by a positive SAM – have also caused widespread coastal erosion, with beaches on the Central Coast still denuded of sand after high swells in April. Climate change is increasing the amount of moisture the atmosphere can hold by about 7 percentage points of humidity for every degree of warming. Already, global humidity has increased 7 percentage points over the past few decades alongside one degree of warming. Scientia Professor Matthew England, a climate expert at the University of NSW, said the marine heatwave in the oceans around Australia would also contribute to the intensity of rainfall. 'We know that onshore winds pick up moisture from the ocean, and that warmer oceans drive increased atmospheric moisture and humidity, so we can expect that as our oceans warm, this effect will be enhanced,' England said. Loading 'The temperatures in the Tasman Sea have been well above average for the past few years, so some of this increased coastal rainfall could be due to those warmer ocean temperatures.' At the same time, McDowell also said the showers and rain-bearing systems blowing in from the east don't make it very far across the land mass, meaning it is abnormally dry inland. 'If you look at April, or the whole of March and April, you've got parts of Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania that have the lowest rainfall on record, so it's pretty unusual,' McDowell said. 'In the past 30 years or so, we've seen [the Southern Annular Mode in positive] becoming more frequent … and there's potential that this is a climate change signal.' England said the recent trends for a positive SAM 'have been driven by both increasing greenhouse gases and ozone depletion'. 'Both act to alter atmospheric pressure fields in such a way that the jet stream intensifies and shifts poleward, making the SAM more positive,' England said. (The jet stream is a band of powerful high-altitude winds that encircle the globe). 'While the ozone hole is recovering, we expect ongoing positive trends in the SAM due to increasing greenhouse gases.' Dr Chiara Holgate in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Weather of the 21st Century at the Australian National University, said Australia had a highly variable climate, and without an attribution analysis, it was impossible to say that climate change was the cause of any particular drought or floods. At the same time, Holgate said people currently experiencing drought should expect more of it. 'The area of southern Australia that is at the moment drought-affected pretty closely resembles the parts of Australia that are projected to experience more drought in the future with climate change,' Holgate said. 'Unless emissions are cut drastically, the current science is saying that this part of Australia is expected to see more frequent and longer droughts in the future.' Heading into winter, rain could be on the way. The weather bureau's long-term outlook suggests the east coast and inland Australia have a strong likelihood of higher rainfall than usual, especially in August. McDowell said the main reason was that global climate models, including the one used by BoM, predicted the Indian Ocean Dipole to become negative in winter, meaning more rainfall was likely for inland Australia. The uncertainties of the long-range outlook meant it should be taken with 'a pinch of salt', he added.
The Age
22-05-2025
- Climate
- The Age
The intensifying climate driver behind the coastal deluges and inland drought
From Queensland to the South Coast of NSW, rainfall has been unusually high. That started with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March, which a rapid attribution study by ClimaMeter found was slower and wetter because of climate change. Climate scientists expect fewer cyclones in Australia as the planet heats up, but warn they are moving further south and carrying more rain. This week the higher rainfall has been evident with floods on the Mid North Coast of NSW. McDowell said Taree on the Mid North Coast had recorded its highest ever two-day rainfall on record in the two days to 9am Wednesday – about 400 millimetres or about a third of its typical annual rainfall. East Coast Lows – which can be influenced by a positive SAM – have also caused widespread coastal erosion, with beaches on the Central Coast still denuded of sand after high swells in April. Climate change is increasing the amount of moisture the atmosphere can hold by about 7 percentage points of humidity for every degree of warming. Already, global humidity has increased 7 percentage points over the past few decades alongside one degree of warming. Scientia Professor Matthew England, a climate expert at the University of NSW, said the marine heatwave in the oceans around Australia would also contribute to the intensity of rainfall. 'We know that onshore winds pick up moisture from the ocean, and that warmer oceans drive increased atmospheric moisture and humidity, so we can expect that as our oceans warm, this effect will be enhanced,' England said. Loading 'The temperatures in the Tasman Sea have been well above average for the past few years, so some of this increased coastal rainfall could be due to those warmer ocean temperatures.' At the same time, McDowell also said the showers and rain-bearing systems blowing in from the east don't make it very far across the land mass, meaning it is abnormally dry inland. 'If you look at April, or the whole of March and April, you've got parts of Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania that have the lowest rainfall on record, so it's pretty unusual,' McDowell said. 'In the past 30 years or so, we've seen [the Southern Annular Mode in positive] becoming more frequent … and there's potential that this is a climate change signal.' England said the recent trends for a positive SAM 'have been driven by both increasing greenhouse gases and ozone depletion'. 'Both act to alter atmospheric pressure fields in such a way that the jet stream intensifies and shifts poleward, making the SAM more positive,' England said. (The jet stream is a band of powerful high-altitude winds that encircle the globe). 'While the ozone hole is recovering, we expect ongoing positive trends in the SAM due to increasing greenhouse gases.' Dr Chiara Holgate in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Weather of the 21st Century at the Australian National University, said Australia had a highly variable climate, and without an attribution analysis, it was impossible to say that climate change was the cause of any particular drought or floods. At the same time, Holgate said people currently experiencing drought should expect more of it. 'The area of southern Australia that is at the moment drought-affected pretty closely resembles the parts of Australia that are projected to experience more drought in the future with climate change,' Holgate said. 'Unless emissions are cut drastically, the current science is saying that this part of Australia is expected to see more frequent and longer droughts in the future.' Heading into winter, rain could be on the way. The weather bureau's long-term outlook suggests the east coast and inland Australia have a strong likelihood of higher rainfall than usual, especially in August. McDowell said the main reason was that global climate models, including the one used by BoM, predicted the Indian Ocean Dipole to become negative in winter, meaning more rainfall was likely for inland Australia. The uncertainties of the long-range outlook meant it should be taken with 'a pinch of salt', he added.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bucket of water highlights deadly beach threat facing 'complacent' Aussies
"Complacent" Australians and tourists are being urged not to risk their lives as they enter Queensland's waters during the Easter holidays. Lifeguards in Far North Queensland say deadly box jellyfish are now fully grown at this time of year and entering the water outside of the nets could cost you your life. "We are coming up to the time of year where lifeguards unfortunately start to see people becoming complacent and swim outside the netted areas," Far North Queensland Lifesavers explained. "On a calm day box jellyfish can be found right along the water's edge, feeding on shrimp and bait fish. Do not risk your life." Far North Queensland Lifeguards shared video of a sample of ocean water filled with juvenile shrimp and krill, showing just how favourable the conditions are for box jellyfish. Director of the Australian Marine Stinger Advisory Services and jellyfish expert, Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin, told Yahoo News last week box jellyfish have "absolutely earned" the title of the world's most venomous animal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Australian Lifeguard Service - North Queensland (@fnqlifeguards) Box jellyfish are found in tropical coastal waters and reside around the country's northern coastline, from Western Australia along to Queensland. In Queensland they are active until late May when the waters cool, prompting lifeguards to remind beachgoers of the deadly threat. While James Cook University Professor Jamie Seymour told the ABC numbers had rapidly declined in the north of the state around Cairns, believed to be a result of 2023's Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, box jellyfish are still being caught further south. In January, lifesavers at Eimeo Beach at Mackay caught eight box jellyfish during one routine check. Their venomous stings have caused at least 70 known deaths in Aussie waters since records began in the 1880s, according to Australian Geographic. Far North Queensland Lifeguards said two young people had died in recent years in the state due to box jellyfish stings. Box jellyfish have about 60 venomous tentacles which can measure up to three metres in length. Gershwin says people who are stung can often get tangled in the tentacles. Aussie woman ends up in hospital after battle with very rare fish Incredibly rare 'sharktopus' sighting off New Zealand coast Mysterious foam at Aussie beach sickens surfers as wildlife wash up Stings feel like an electrocution or like hot oil being poured onto the skin with vinegar a vital way to combat impacted areas on the body. "Vinegar neutralises the stinging cells from injecting more venom into your skin, and you want to stop every single one of them possible," Gershwin explained. "If you're over the lethal sting threshold, it isn't going to do anything. But the thing is, you're not going to know in the moment, so you need to flood the area with vinegar and seek medical assistance as quickly as possible." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump admin's horror mistake with journalist, Labor promises 'responsible' Budget, iconic 100kg statue pinched
Hello and welcome to Yahoo's live news blog this Tuesday. What appears to be a remarkable mistake has led to a senior editor receiving key defence information from Trump administration members. The editor-in-chief at The Atlantic appears to have been accidentally added to a group chat where the information was discussed. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to deliver his fourth Federal Budget later today. He insists proposed spending by Labor is "responsible" as all eyes focus on what relief will be delivered as a Federal Election looms. Read all about what you can expect from Yahoo Finance here. An iconic 100kg beachside statue has vanished off the Gold Coast, with one local MP pleading for its return. Follow along as we bring you regular updates throughout the day. An iconic statue that's overlooked the Gold Coast's Currumbin beach for over 20 years has vanished, with fears the 100kg statue has been stolen. Councillor Gail O'Neill pleaded for the statue to be returned on Monday, calling the disappearance "absolutely devastating". She said the statue was in a good state after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred which caused significant sand erosion at the beach. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has stressed he will deliver a "responsible" Federal Budget tonight as Labor looks to capture voters' attentions weeks out from a Federal Election. He said the focus of the budget is Australia's future, not the looming election. "It strikes the right balance between helping people with the cost of living, and investing in a more competitive, more productive and dynamic economy into the future so that we're more resilient to these global shocks," Chalmers said on Tuesday morning. Top national security officials for President Donald Trump, including his defence secretary, texted war plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen to a group chat in a secure messaging app that included the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic, the magazine has reported. The National Security Council said the text chain 'appears to be authentic" however Trump told reporters he was not aware that the sensitive information had been shared. The material in the text chain 'contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Iran-backed Houthi-rebels in Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the US would be deploying, and attack sequencing,' editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg reported. The National Security Council said in a statement that it was looking into how a journalist's number was added to the chat. Read more here. OK, let's start with this wild video shared by 7News Queensland yesterday. A man has filmed a baby crocodile roaming through a shopping centre car park in Townsville amid heavy rain. Now that's something you don't see everyday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 7NEWS Queensland (@7newsqueensland) Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. An iconic statue that's overlooked the Gold Coast's Currumbin beach for over 20 years has vanished, with fears the 100kg statue has been stolen. Councillor Gail O'Neill pleaded for the statue to be returned on Monday, calling the disappearance "absolutely devastating". She said the statue was in a good state after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred which caused significant sand erosion at the beach. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has stressed he will deliver a "responsible" Federal Budget tonight as Labor looks to capture voters' attentions weeks out from a Federal Election. He said the focus of the budget is Australia's future, not the looming election. "It strikes the right balance between helping people with the cost of living, and investing in a more competitive, more productive and dynamic economy into the future so that we're more resilient to these global shocks," Chalmers said on Tuesday morning. Top national security officials for President Donald Trump, including his defence secretary, texted war plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen to a group chat in a secure messaging app that included the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic, the magazine has reported. The National Security Council said the text chain 'appears to be authentic" however Trump told reporters he was not aware that the sensitive information had been shared. The material in the text chain 'contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Iran-backed Houthi-rebels in Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the US would be deploying, and attack sequencing,' editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg reported. The National Security Council said in a statement that it was looking into how a journalist's number was added to the chat. Read more here. OK, let's start with this wild video shared by 7News Queensland yesterday. A man has filmed a baby crocodile roaming through a shopping centre car park in Townsville amid heavy rain. Now that's something you don't see everyday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 7NEWS Queensland (@7newsqueensland)
The Independent
17-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
A second person has died in Australia from Japanese encephalitis. What is it and should we be worried?
A second man in has died from Japanese encephalitis virus in Australia 's New South Wales on March 6, the state's health authorities confirmed on Friday. Aged in his 70s, the man was infected while holidaying in the Murrumbidgee region. This follows the death of another man in his 70s in Sydney last month, after holidaying in the same region in January. Japanese encephalitis virus has also been detected for the first time in mosquitoes collected in Brisbane's eastern suburbs, Queensland health authorities confirmed on Saturday. With mosquito activity expected to increase thanks to flooding rains brought by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, it's important to protect yourself from mosquito bites. What is Japanese encephalitis? Japanese encephalitis is one of the most serious diseases that spreads via mosquitoes, with around 68,000 cases annually across Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions. The virus is thought to be maintained in a cycle between mosquitoes and waterbirds. Mosquitoes are infected when they feed from an infected waterbird. They then pass the virus to other waterbirds. Sometimes other animals, and people, can be infected. Pigs are also a host, and the virus has spread through commercial piggeries in Victoria, NSW and Queensland. (But it poses no food safety risk.) Feral pigs and other animals can also play a role in transmission cycles. What are the symptoms? Most people infected show no symptoms. People with mild cases may have a fever, headache and vomiting. In more serious cases – about one in 250 people infected – people may have neck stiffness, disorientation, drowsiness and seizures. Serious illness can have life-long neurological complications and, in some cases, the infection can be life-threatening. There's no specific treatment for the disease. When did Japanese encephalitis get to Australia and why is it in Brisbane? Outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis had occurred in the Torres Strait during the 1990s. The virus was also detected in the Cape York Peninsula in 1998. There had been no evidence of activity on the mainland since 2004 but everything changed in the summer of 2021–22. Japanese encephalitis virus was detected in commercial piggeries in southeastern Australia during that summer. This prompted the declaration of a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance. At the time, flooding accompanying the La Niña-dominated weather patterns and a resulting boom in mosquito numbers, and waterbird populations, was thought responsible. The virus has spread in subsequent years and has been detected in the mosquito and arbovirus surveillance programs as well as detection in feral pigs and commercial piggeries in most states and territories. Only Tasmania has remained free of Japanese encephalitis virus. Human cases of infection have also been reported. There were more than 50 cases of disease and seven deaths in 2022. Cases of Japanese encephalitis have already been reported from Queensland in 2025. Due to concern about Japanese encephalitis virus and other mosquito-borne pathogens, health authorities around Australia have expanded and enhanced their surveillance programs. In Queensland, this includes mosquito monitoring at a number of locations, including urban areas of southeast Queensland. Mosquitoes collected in this monitoring program tested positive for Japanese encephalitis virus, promoting the current health warnings. Why is its detection in Brisbane important? Up to now, scientists have thought the risk of Japanese encephalitis was likely greatest following seasons of above-average rainfall or flooding. This provides ideal conditions for waterbirds and mosquitoes. But the activity of Japanese encephalitis virus over the summer of 2024–25 has taken many scientists by surprise. Before Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred arrived, there had been somewhat dry conditions with less waterbird activity and low mosquito numbers in many regions of eastern Australia. However there has still been widespread Japanese encephalitis virus activity in Victoria, NSW and Queensland. To date, Japanese encephalitis virus activity hasn't extended to the coastal regions of southeast Queensland. The detection of the virus in suburban Brisbane may require authorities to rethink exactly where the virus may turn up next. Authorities are ramping up their surveillance to see just how widespread the virus is in the region. Health authorities and scientists are also trying to understand how the virus moved from western areas of the state to the coast and what drives virus transmission in different regions. There is currently no evidence the virus is active in coastal regions of northern NSW. Avoiding mosquito bites is the best way to reduce the risk of Japanese encephalitis virus. Cover up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants for a physical barrier against mosquito bites. Use topical insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Be sure to apply an even coat on all exposed areas of skin for the longest-lasting protection. Ensure any insect screens on houses, tents and caravans are in good repair and reduce the amount of standing water in the backyard. The more water there is around your home, the more opportunities for mosquitoes there are. A safe and effective vaccine is available against Japanese encephalitis. Each state and territory health authority (for example Queensland, NSW, Victoria) have specific recommendations about access to vaccinations. It may take many weeks following vaccination to achieve sufficient protection, so prioritise reducing your exposure to bites in the meantime. Cameron Webb is Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney
