Weather drivers in South Australia

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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 uneven heating of land and sea surfaces near the equator and evaporation from tropical oceans.

An extensive area of high pressure, known as the sub-tropical ridge, is a major feature of the general circulation of our atmosphere. It is a major influence on the climate of southern Australia. The position of the ridge varies with the seasons, allowing cold fronts to pass over South Australia in the winter, but pushing them to the south in summer.

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