Extraordinary weather images capture the diversity of our landscape
04/11/2015
A fogbow, a dust devil, a fallstreak hole and a full-circle rainbow are among the extraordinary images showcased in the Bureau of Meteorology’s 2016 Australian Weather Calendar — released today.
Deputy Director for Corporate Services, Vicki Middleton said the Australian Weather Calendar is the largest selling calendar in the country and continues to grow in popularity.
“Last year calendar sales exceeded 60 000, and calendars were posted to more than 80 countries, making it one of our most popular and colourful exports,” said Ms Middleton.
“This multi-award-winning calendar provides a platform for the Australian community to connect with their environment through the art of photography, while serving as an educational resource on our unique weather and climate.
“This year we received more than 800 entries, which made it a really tough job to whittle down to the winning images," she said.
Explaining how the haunting cover image of dark clouds over sand dunes near Mungo in New South Wales was captured, photographer Tony Middleton said: “I noticed the convection develop 50 kilometres to the northwest of our location. Determined to catch it, I made my way through 30 kilometres of four-wheel-drive tracks, and scaled multiple sand dunes to this ridge line to arrive just in time as the storm hit, and proceeded to dump rain, thunder and lightning.”
Each image in the calendar is accompanied by an explanation of the underlying meteorology, supporting the Bureau’s mission to provide Australians with environmental intelligence.
Ms Middleton said the Bureau relies on a network of volunteers and each one is provided with a copy of the calendar annually. Every day, thousands of volunteers around the country help us maintain Australia’s climate record by observing and recording weather, climate and water data. This calendar provides an opportunity to recognise their contribution.
The Australian Weather Calendar, published by the Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, is a not-for-profit publication which began in 1985 and is now in its 32nd year.
Go to the Bureau shop to purchase the Australian Weather Calendar 2016 online, while stocks last—or call 1300 798 789.
Copyright and Attribution:
As agreed by the copyright owners, the photographs in the calendar may be reproduced online and in print only when accompanied by editorial coverage of the 2016 Australian Weather Calendar, and should be attributed to the respective photographers wherever possible. All rights are retained by the photographers.
Please email media@bom.gov.au to request interviews with the photographers.
