Australia's delayed monsoon season is causing a stir, with some welcoming the respite from the usual wet weather while others anxiously await its arrival. The prolonged dryness is impacting farmers, fishermen, and gardeners, with mixed consequences.
A prolonged windy summer is wreaking havoc on Australia 's weather patterns , causing delays and disruptions across the country. However, some busy tradespeople and farmers are actually welcoming the postponement. Northern Australia 's weeks-long monsoon season, typically anticipated like an old friend, is known for ending droughts, nourishing crops and livestock, and bringing life back to forests, creeks, rivers, and coasts.
This year, the monsoon's arrival has been delayed, with experts predicting it might not hit until January 25th, the latest since records began in 1957. Jimmy Wailu, a local from Mer Island and former commercial fisherman, acknowledged the fishing implications of this delay. While the monsoon will initially make fishing difficult, he anticipates a surge in fish populations afterward. He pointed to the positive impacts on prawns and pelicans, who will benefit from the increased food supply.Meanwhile, sugarcane farmer Mark Savina praised the hot days, contrasting them with the record December 2023 floods that hampered his 2024 harvest. He explained that the cane is thriving in the heat and that recent storms have left ample moisture in the soil.This allows him to complete essential maintenance tasks, like spraying and planting multi-crop varieties. Despite the heatwave, Cairns roofer Scott Carpenter remains uncomplaining about the dry weather. He has instructed his workers to maximize their hours before the monsoon arrives, forcing them to cease operations. The workers are making the most of the good weather, taking advantage of nearby swimming holes for respite during breaks. In contrast, gardeners in Innisfail, typically known for its high rainfall, are eagerly awaiting the monsoon. Rose Caltabiano expressed her weariness of constant watering and her anticipation for the refreshing rains. Yvonne Cunningham, another gardener, highlighted the significant benefits of monsoon rain on her property at the mouth of the Johnstone River.The storms replenish nitrogen and oxygen levels in the soil, resulting in a noticeable improvement in her garden's health. Australian National University climatologist Jeanette Lindsay attributed the severe weather and high temperatures in New South Wales to the lack of cloud cover and rainfall provided by a usually present monsoon. She explained that the stagnant, moisture-laden air contributes to the intensity of storms.Greg Browning, a meteorologist, predicts the monsoon's arrival around January 26th. He noted that while Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Mount Isa experienced monsoonal troughs and associated rainfall, the impact on NSW and Brisbane has been more pronounced due to the tropical influence. Browning suggests that unusually warm waters around northern Australia this summer might be responsible for the delay. He posits a potential link between climate change and the delayed monsoon, emphasizing the need for further research.Despite the current delays, Browning predicts above-average rainfall for northern Australia during this wet season
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