Australia's unique weather captured as the Australian Weather Calendar turns 40
08/11/2023
Issued: 8 November 2023
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Australian Weather Calendar is celebrating its 40th edition this year, showcasing 13 stunning images selected from a strong competition of more than 500 entries from professional and amateur photographers.
From lightning strikes to double rainbows, this year’s calendar shines a light on the range of weather events that happen all over Australia, such as space weather phenomenon, the aurora australis (‘southern lights’), photographed at Mawson Station in Antarctica. Sunrise and sunset images are also popular features after warmer and drier weather conditions.
A meteorological description of each photo is alongside the monthly image, to help continue building knowledge for our audience both here and abroad. For over 40 years, the Australian Weather Calendar has been sent to more than 65 countries.
“The calendar is a fantastic opportunity to further explain the science behind weather events and other phenomena, all the while admiring spectacular and uniquely Australian imagery,” Senior Meteorologist Andrea Peace said.
“Every page provides an insight and explains the diversity of both the striking visuals and the severe weather conditions in Australia.
Another highlight in this year's edition is a willy-willy, a vortex of air made visible by the dust particles and debris it contains. They form when a localised pocket of hot air rises quickly from the surface through the cooler air above it. The rapidly rising air rotates, speeding up as it rises and sucking up dust and debris, usually only lasting a few minutes before cool air rushes in to replace the hot air, halting the upward momentum.
The 2024 Bureau of Meteorology Australian Weather Calendar can be ordered online now at shop.bom.gov.au.
ENDS...
Detailed information on each photo’s location and weather phenomenon are listed below, with photo credits.
Per the conditions of entry when photos are submitted, all winning images can only be published in support of Australian Weather Calendar promotion or story. The images cannot be used for any other purpose or project, or in conjunction with any other Bureau media. The photographers retain all rights so image copyright line must accompany each image.
More information, including detailed meteorological information and photographer profiles, is available by contacting media@bom.gov.au.
Please contact media@bom.gov.au for high-res copies of all images in this year’s Calendar.
Photo credits:
Cover photo: Ice crystals at Nursery Creek, Namadgi National Park, Australian Capital Territory – Ralph Whitten
January: Sunset at Busselton Jetty, Geographe Bay, Western Australia – Sarah Donnelly
February: Morning fog as seen from the QV1 building in Melbourne, Victoria – Jason Garbutt
March: Aurora australis at Mawson Station, Antarctica – Albert Petersen
April: Lightning strike, Port Macquarie, New South Wales – Ivan Sajko
May: Willy-willy at Flora Valley Station via Halls Creek, Western Australia - Donal Sullivan
June: Double rainbow at Beachmere boat ramp, Beachmere, Queensland – Jessica Culley
July: Sunset at Mount Massif, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania - Nick Fitzgerald
August: Flooded Channel Country on Ourdel Station, Windorah, Queensland – Helen Commens
September: Lightning strike at Brighton Jetty, Adelaide, South Australia – Steven Genesin
October: Thunderstorm cloud, Knuckey Lagoons, Northern Territory – Damon Wagland
November: Early morning sun over a roll cloud at Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta, Queensland – Paul O’Connell
December: Dew droplets on a grass stalk, Nandewar Range, New South Wales – Michael Dahlem
