WestVic Dairy News - November 2010 Edition
Who let the dogs out?
By Zita Richie, DPI Warrnambool
Do you know about the four dogs responsible for rounding up Victoria’s rainfall?
These four pooches have been launched by the Department of Primary Industries as an animation series. Each of them represent four climate processes which influence our rainfall in Victoria. These short animated videos explain what drives the climate, and how climate drivers are changing over time.
This season has already seen Indy (Indian Ocean Dipole) and Enso (El Nino Southern Oscillation) working together which has got our growing season off to a great start delivering rainfall in many parts of Victoria.
Sam is also an important Climatedog as he herds cold fronts up from the Southern Ocean. Sam is an unreliable climatedog and can change behaviour in a matter of weeks. When he is tied up, there is a reduction in the number and strength of cold fronts reaching Victoria because the westerly winds remain closer to Antarctica.
Want to find out more or see these dogs in action? You can check out the dogs at work on the DPI website:
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/climaterisk
To stay up to date with what these climate drivers (or dogs) over the coming seasons subscribe to Milking the Weather newsletter. This is a free electronic newsletter to provide the latest seasonal and climate information for the dairy industry. To subscribe email zita.ritchie@dpi.vic.gov.au
