This study investigates the influence of the El Nin˜o–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) on rainfall and streamflow regimes of eastern Australia. An analysis of historical rainfall and streamflow data for Queensland (QLD), New South Wales (NSW), and Victoria (VIC) reveals strong relationships between these indices and seasonal rainfall and streamflow totals. Rainfall and streamflow in NSW and QLD are shown to be significantly enhanced during the La Nin˜a phase of ENSO, with La Nin˜a impacts diminishing as one moves south into VIC. In addition, the study shows that on a multidecadal timescale the negative phase of the IPO is associated with ‘‘wetter’’ conditions than the positive phase. Importantly, the already enhanced La Nin˜a rainfall and streamflow is demonstrated to be even further magnified during La Nin˜a events that occur in the IPO negative phase. This result is of particular importance as the influence of ENSO in VIC appears to be weak; however, the results indicate that some useful predictability of ENSO impacts can be achieved during the negative phase of the IPO for VIC.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	ENSO IPO PDO decadal rainfall runoff hydrology climate variability change
Research Division:	Engineering
Research Group:	Environmental engineering
Research Field:	Air pollution modelling and control
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Other environmental management
Objective Field:	Other environmental management not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Franks, SW (Professor Stewart Franks)
ID Code:	86416
Year Published:	2004
Web of Science® Times Cited:	204
Deposited By:	Engineering
Deposited On:	2013-09-14
Last Modified:	2013-10-16
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