Australia’s floods are going to get more extreme because of climate change, this expert says

Mar 26, 2021

image of the severe flooding in New South Wales

New South Wales in Australia has recently been subjected to extreme flooding. Image: REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

Joelle Gergis

Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, Australian National University

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a diagram showing how a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture which can lead to more extreme rainfall events

A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture which can lead to more extreme rainfall events. Image: Climate Council

a diagram showing the ocean and atmospheric conditions associated with La Niña conditions.

The ocean and atmospheric conditions associated with La Niña conditions. Image: Bureau of Meteorology

a diagram showing the NSW rainfall totals for the week ending March 22, 2021

NSW rainfall totals for the week ending March 22, 2021 Image: Bureau of Meteorology

a diagram showing sea surface temperature anomalies along the NSW coast

Sea surface temperature anomalies along the NSW coast Image: Bureau of Meteorology

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