Climate Commission

Effects : Extreme Weather

Changes to our climate are likely to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. These events affect our health, buildings, infrastructure and communities.

We are already seeing the impacts of higher temperatures on some extreme weather. In the past 50 years, the number of record hot days in Australia has more than doubled. This has increased the risk of heatwaves and associated deaths, as well as extreme bushfire weather in southeast and southwest Australia.  Recent examples of extreme weather events include Cyclone Yasi in 2011 and the Queensland floods of 2010-2011, Black Saturday bushfires of 2009 and the associated southeast Australian heatwave.

High temperature extremes, such as hot days and heatwaves, are likely to be higher and last longer.

• Rainfall patterns are likely to change
• Extreme fire danger days are likely to rise, particularly in southeast Australia
• Storm surge events could become more frequent
• There may be less cyclones, but they are likely to be stronger and cause more damage, although there is some uncertainty about regional trends in cyclone activity

The most authoritative source for more information on this topic is the IPCC’s special report on climate extremes - see the Climate Commission’s summary.

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