Weather News

Extreme weather events to double in Pacific

Australia's peak scientific body has warned Pacific nations that extreme weather events will double in the next century. - ABC

A study by Australia's peak science body, the CSIRO, has found that extreme weather events in the South Pacific are likely to double over the next century.

While countries such as Solomon Islands, Fiji and Samoa are usually directly under the under the South Pacific rain band, during periods of La Nina and El Nino the rain band moves about 300 kilometres towards the Equator.

The CSIRO study found that the rain band movement is likely to increase to 1000 kilometres, creating more intense and prolonged floods and droughts.

The study's principle research scientist, Dr Wenju Cai, told Australia Network the movement is caused by climate change, so it is very hard for Pacific nations to prevent.

"It is very hard for them to change the emission rates because they are small countries and they don't emit a lot of carbon dioxide."

"Science job is to provide information so they can be better prepared to deal with the food shortage, drought, forest fire and extreme events associated with tropical cyclones."


- ABC

© ABC 2012

More breaking news

ABC News
Sydney Morning Herald
National Nine News
News Limited

May turning into a wet one for Alice Springs

13:39 EST With 28mm already recorded in the rain gauge this month, Alice Springs is having its wettest May since 2004.