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Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science SocietyJournal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science Society
A journal for meteorology, climate, oceanography, hydrology and space weather focused on the southern hemisphere
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Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science

Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science

Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science publishes broad areas of research with a distinct emphasis of the Southern Hemisphere. The scope of the journal encompasses the study of the mean state, variability and change of the atmosphere, oceans, and land surface, including the cryosphere, from hemispheric to regional scales. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Steven Siems

Editors: Peter May and Andréa Taschetto

Publishing Model: Open Access

Download our Journal Metrics (PDF, 758KB)

Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science is published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology [external link] in association with the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society [external link]

Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 19 March 2025

ES23030Increased stratification intensifies surface marine heatwaves north-east of Aotearoa New Zealand in New Zealand’s Earth System model

Liv Cornelissen 0009-0003-2053-0674, Erik Behrens, Denise Fernandez and Philip J. H. Sutton
 

We found that the main drivers of projected intensified surface marine heatwaves north-east of New Zealand are changes in the vertical distribution of heat transport and increased stratification, trapping heat near the ocean surface, and heat convergence within the region increasing in parallel with higher greenhouse gas emissions. This explains why the surface and shallow subsurface heating is projected to become more intense, and enables a more nuanced ecosystem vulnerability assessment in relation to marine heatwaves.

ES23030 Abstract  |  ES23030 Full Text  | ES23030PDF (3.9 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 18 March 2025

ES24010Sydney downslope windstorm event on 31 October 2023

Jiwon Park 0000-0003-3428-928X
 

South-western suburbs of Sydney were affected by 3–4 h of sustained strong westerly winds during the early morning on 31 October 2023 due to a dynamically driven downslope windstorm of moderate strength, which resulted in 425 State Emergency Service (SES) jobs in the aftermath. This paper looks into the observations and computer model outputs during the event to identify the unique mesoscale features seen and analyse the mechanisms that led to the windstorm.

ES24010 Abstract  |  ES24010 Full Text  | ES24010PDF (11.7 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 18 March 2025

ES24038Interpretation of seasonal fire outlooks

Naomi Benger 0000-0003-2048-3858, Paul Gregory 0000-0002-0975-2570 and Paul Fox-Hughes 0000-0002-0083-9928
 

Fire agencies use climate outlook products to assist in seasonal preparedness, but products are not all created in the same way, which can lead to conflicting information on potential risks for the upcoming season. This work compares the foundations of the Bureau of Meteorology’s temperature and rainfall outlooks with the Fire Danger Outlooks. In providing an understanding of product differences, increased literacy and ultimately trust will lead to better application of climate outlook products for operational strategic planning.

ES24038 Abstract  |  ES24038 Full Text  | ES24038PDF (2 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 18 March 2025

ES24028Validation of BARRA2 and comparison with MERRA-2 and ERA5 using historical wind power generation

Graham Palmer 0000-0002-7667-4189, Roger Dargaville, Chun-Hsu Su 0000-0003-2504-0466, Changlong Wang, Andrew Hoadley and Damon Honnery
 

Energy system modelling is a crucial component of planning for the decarbonisation of energy supply. By incorporating meteorological data, such as historical wind speeds across space and time, these models can simulate wind power generation. However, it is essential to quantify the accuracy and confidence of these models to ensure their reliability and effectiveness.

ES24028 Abstract  |  ES24028 Full Text  | ES24028PDF (2.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 16 January 2025

ES24013Comparison of temperature and humidity measurements from two separate weather stations at Camden Airport, Australia

Matthew L. Riley 0000-0002-9181-782X
 

This study compares over 1 million 1-min near surface air temperature (n = 516,334) and relative humidity (n = 516,717) measurements from two separate, distinct, weather stations at Camden Airport (NSW), Australia. The analysis shows that for most circumstances the measurements at the two stations can be considered equivalent, with mean annual, seasonal and diurnal biases well within the expanded instrument uncertainty. Urban climatologists, modellers and forecasters can use meteorological observations from the NSW air quality networks in their research and operations with confidence.

ES24013 Abstract  |  ES24013 Full Text  | ES24013PDF (3.8 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 10 January 2025

ES24006Utilisation of WRF-HYSPLIT modelling approach and GEMS to identify PM2.5 sources in Central Kalimantan – study case: 2023 forest fire

Amalia Nurlatifah 0000-0003-1129-5505, Prawira Yudha Kombara 0000-0002-4165-2318, Alvin Pratama, Rizky Faristyawan, Aulia Arip Rakhman and Nindia Noviastuti
 

This study investigates the sources and impacts of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) resulting from forest fires in Central Kalimantan using an integrated approach. Employing the WRF-HYSPLIT inline model and satellite instruments, such as GEMS, SNPP, MODIS and VIIRS, we aimed to identify PM2.5 sources and understand their spatial distribution.

ES24006 Abstract  |  ES24006 Full Text  | ES24006PDF (5.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 December 2024

ES24024The impact of snow survey frequency on Australian snow depth records

Shane Bilish 0000-0001-6525-0594 and Mic Clayton
 

Photo of hillside snow course in the Australian Alps with distant small trees and an onlooker

The longest and most complete records of snow depth in the Australian Alps are based on manual measurements made since the 1950s. We investigate the relationship between the frequency of measurements and uncertainty in the records, showing that while uncertainty increases with less frequent measurements, even weekly sampling provides only an approximation of actual snowpack variability in this setting. These findings are relevant to any study making use of Australian snow course data and should inform future snowpack measurement efforts. (Photograph by Sam Bishop.)

ES24024 Abstract  |  ES24024 Full Text  | ES24024PDF (1.3 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 18 December 2024

ES24027Biogenic CO2 flux uncertainty: numerical experiments and validation over south-eastern South America

Nahuel E. Bautista 0000-0002-3422-1579, Juan J. Ruiz, Paola V. Salio, Lucas J. Burgos and María I. Gassmann
 

Image with summary of the biogenic CO2 flux uncertainty in WRF simulations, showing a list of cases and graphs of results.

WRF model simulation of meteorological conditions with clear and cloudy skies and frontal passages considering different configurations influences the estimation of surface and boundary layer temperatures, global radiation and precipitation. Error estimation for these varies between 1.87 and 2.33°C, 1.5 and 2.8°C, 4.22 and 7.76 MJ m−2 day−1, and 7.5 and 12.7 mm day−1. These errors propagate into the CO2 flux calculation, resulting in up to a 60% error.

ES24027 Abstract  |  ES24027 Full Text  | ES24027PDF (5.8 MB)  | ES24027Supplementary Material (4.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 21 November 2024

ES24023Tornado scar on the Nullarbor Plain, Australia

Matej Lipar 0000-0003-4414-0147
 

A newly discovered erosional scar on the Nullarbor Plain in southern Australia reveals the immense power of tornadoes in shaping the landscape. This scar, identified by satellite imagery, stretches 11 km and is marked by distinct cycloidal patterns, indicating it was formed by a tornado with estimated wind speeds exceeding 200 km h–1. These findings underscore the importance of using modern technology to understand and track tornado activity in remote regions, aiding in better prediction and preparedness for such destructive events.

ES24023 Abstract  |  ES24023 Full Text  | ES24023PDF (10.8 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 08 November 2024

ES24015Climate summary for the southern hemisphere, 2019–20: a strong positive Indian Ocean Dipole

Blair Trewin 0000-0001-8186-7885
 

This summarises the southern hemisphere atmospheric circulation patterns and meteorological indices for 2019–20; an account of rainfall and temperature for the Australian region is also provided. The second half of 2019 was dominated by a strong positive Indian Ocean Dipole, before a return to more normal conditions from early 2020. Australia was exceptionally dry in the second half of 2019, which contributed to an extreme fire season. Temperatures were well above average in Australia and the hemisphere as a whole.

ES24015 Abstract  |  ES24015 Full Text  | ES24015PDF (7.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 31 October 2024

ES24014Seasonal climate summary southern hemisphere (autumn 2020): another coral bleaching event for the Great Barrier Reef without an active El Niño

Grant A. Smith 0000-0003-4692-6565
 

This is a seasonal climate summary for autumn 2020, detailing the weather and oceanic conditions and events for March, April and May. During this period south-east Australian rainfall led to flooding and extinguished the remaining fires of the 2019–2020 bushfire season, and 2020 marked the second time that the Great Barrier Reef experienced mass coral bleaching due to elevated ocean temperatures in an ENSO neutral year.

ES24014 Abstract  |  ES24014 Full Text  | ES24014PDF (9.9 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 23 October 2024

ES24002Recent trends in extratropical lows and their rainfall over Australia

Acacia Pepler 0000-0002-1478-2512
 

Line drawing of Australia and adjacent regions with colour overlay showing decreasing trends in surface lows near southern Australia in the ERA5 reanalysis during May–October.

Extratropical lows and east coast lows cause a large proportion of rainfall in southern Australia during the months May–October. Their frequency varies from year to year, but new data show that they have been becoming less common in recent decades compared to the 1960s. This is contributing to decreases in cool season rainfall in southern Australia. (Image credit: Acacia Pepler.)

ES24002 Abstract  |  ES24002 Full Text  | ES24002PDF (11 MB)  | ES24002Supplementary Material (2.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 10 October 2024

ES24008Boundary layer height above the Great Barrier Reef studied using drone and Mini-Micropulse LiDAR measurements

Robert G. Ryan 0000-0002-0806-4880, Christian Eckert, Brendan P. Kelaher, Daniel P. Harrison and Robyn Schofield 0000-0002-4230-717X
 

The planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) measurements are rare at the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), limiting our ability to evaluate weather, climate and air pollution models in this significant region. Here we show that drone-based sampling and Mini-Micropulse (MP) LiDAR, are complementary ways of calculating the PBLH at the GBR. We find the boundary layer to be consistently stable and well-mixed during the campaign, with good congruence between the thermodynamical-derived drone PBLH, and the backscatter-derived MP LiDAR PBLH.

ES24008 Abstract  |  ES24008 Full Text  | ES24008PDF (5.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 10 October 2024

ES23024Future frequencies of coastal floods in Australia: a seamless approach and dataset for visualising local impacts and informing adaptation

Ben S. Hague 0000-0002-4931-8111, Dörte Jakob, Ebru Kirezci, David A. Jones, Ilana L. Cherny and Scott A. Stephens
 

We develop and present a dataset that helps quantify how much more often coastal floods will occur as sea-level rise continues and accelerates. Our dataset is designed so that it is adaptable to any local context, considering relevant planning guidelines, adaptation triggers and flood impacts of concern. Our dataset is analysed to show that once-a-century floods are expected to become chronic occurrences at 85% of Australian locations studied under 1-m sea-level rise.

ES23024 Abstract  |  ES23024 Full Text  | ES23024PDF (3 MB)  | ES23024Supplementary Material (796 KB)   Open Access Article

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

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Outstanding Associate Editor Award

Anthony Rea is the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Associate Editor Award.

Best Student Paper

The Best Student Paper published in 2024 has been awarded to Nahuel Bautista.

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