Secular Variation in Rainfall and Intensity-Frequency-Duration Curves in Eastern Australia

Abstract

Due to climate change, current infrastructure may not be sustainable under the future climate. Change in rainfall intensity needs to be tested for designing infrastructure. This study examined the historical rainfall and its correlation with temperature in Eastern Australia. A simple statistical technique with a limited dataset was used in this study. There was a significant change in annual rainfall, and the temperature was found to increase in Eastern Australia. Change in Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart rainfall intensity for durations longer than one hour has a significant positive correlation with annual rainfall. Overall, the sub-daily rainfall intensity is not associated with temperature. Further investigation needs to be carried out in order to determine the regional relationship between rainfall and temperature.