A historical rainfall data set for Australia

An exhaustive search of documentation regarding observational practices, instrumentation, site relocations and exposure of instruments has been conducted for Australian rainfall stations. The aim has been to identify high quality long-term rainfall stations which could be used to monitor and assess climate changes. Statistical tests were also employed in the selection process to determine the reliability of observing practices and to check for inhomogeneities in the data. The data set is the most reliable available for monitoring rainfall trends in Australia during the twentieth century. These data will be utilised in further studies as references for testing the reliability of records from neighbouring stations, and in the process of modifying such records. They can confidently be used in climate studies requiring data without spurious trends or inhomogeneities.