Weather drivers in Victoria

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

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. Its position varies with the seasons, allowing cold fronts to pass over Victoria in the winter, but pushing them to the south in summer.

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