High-quality historical monthly rainfall data were used to determine regions of similar rainfall characteristics for Tasmania, and to document average rainfall conditions for each of these regions. No significant long-term trend in rainfall was found, but a decline was observed during the 1970s and 1980s, apparently a part of long-term variability. Three dominant higher frequency oscillations were found in the rainfall, but the significance of these varied for different parts of the State. Correlations were found between various atmospheric parameters and rainfall, anomalies. In particular, certain lagged correlations were found between the Zonal Index, the Southern Oscillation Index and Southern Ocean sea-surface temperature anomalies and rainfall anomalies. These lagged correlations may provide the basis for improving seasonal forecasting.
D.J. Shepherd (Fri,) studied this question.
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