Weather drivers in Queensland

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The climate of Australia varies across many different regions and timescales. Here we introduce the major elements that affect the weather and climate of Queensland.

The driving force behind our weather is the general circulation of the atmosphere, caused by unequal heating of the Earth’s surface. Energy from the sun causes evaporation from tropical oceans and uneven heating of land and sea surfaces.

An extensive area of high pressure, known as the sub-tropical ridge, is a major feature of the general circulation of our atmosphere. It moves north in winter, resulting in drier conditions over Queensland.