Riverina - climate
The Riverina Bioregion is one of 6 NSW bioregions lying in a central band of the state dominated by a persistently dry semi-arid climate, and characterised by hot summers and cool winters (Stern et al. 2000). Seasonal temperatures vary little across the bioregion, although in the north both summer and winter temperatures tend to be higher (Eardley 1999).
The highest levels of rainfall in the Riverina Bioregion occur in May and September (Eardley 1999). Summer rainfall tends to occur mainly from localised thunderstorms, with more consistent rainfall occurring in the winter months. Annual rainfall tends to increase from west to east and from north to south. The occurrence of rainfall is unpredictable toward the northwest of the bioregion, and drought periods are not unusual (Dalton 1988, cited in Eardley 1999).
Minor areas of the Riverina extend into climatic zones other than the hot semi-arid climate at the core of the bioregion. The northern tip characterises a warm semi-arid climate while the southeastern edge of the bioregion at the boundary of the neighbouring South Western Slopes Bioregion lies in the subhumid climatic zone (Stern et al. 2000).
| Riverina Bioregion - climate variable information | |
|---|---|
| Mean annual temperature | 15-18°C |
| Minimum average monthly temperature | 2.2-4.6°C |
| Maximum average monthly temperature | 30.6-33.7°C |
| Mean annual rainfall | 238-617mm |
| Minimum average monthly rainfall | 13-36mm |
| Maximum average monthly rainfall | 26-70mm |
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