Windows on Meteorology

This text provides information about Australia's weather and climate, and explains the underlying causes of floods, droughts and cyclones. It gives detailed accounts of dust storms and reveals the mysteries of the "morning glory" cloud lines. The book highlights the perception in Aboriginal culture of the connection between seasons and natural cycles, through aspects of Aboriginal mythology and language, and contains an Aboriginal seasonal calendar. The influence of climate on Australia's wildlife is illustrated with accounts of the evolution of burrowing frogs, shrimps and desert kangaroos. This history of Australian meteorology from early European settlement onwards, covers subjects such as a 19th century view of the links between climate and health, the development of instruments, cloud physics research and the Southern Oscillation connection. The final chapters provide an update on recent technical developments in research and applications such as satellite remote sensing, radar and fast response instruments.