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Australia is the driest continent in the world. About 35
per cent of the continent receives very little rain. The
annual rainfall in 70 per cent of the mainland is less
than 500mm, which makes it arid or semi-arid. These are
distributed throughout the western plateau and interior
lowlands. The total area of these deserts is 18 per cent
of the total mainland area of Australia.
37-39°C is the average daily summer temperature in
Central Australia. Average daily winter temperatures
range between 16-24oC. In Central Australia, annual
evaporation varies between 2400-4400mm. Average annual
rainfall varies between 110mm around Lake Eyre to
300-450mm on the margins. Rainfall is very infrequent.
Droughts are the normal situation in Central Australia.
 Gibson Desert
Gibson Desert also features many small dunes, but there
are areas of higher altitude that are rocky with hills.
Several large aboriginal reserves are found in the area.
Very little farming activity is carried out; only on the
margins are there some sheep and cattle rising. Rainfall
is low and very unreliable. The Gibson Desert area
relies almost entirely on Thunderstorm activity and the
occasional Ex Tropical Cyclone cloud mass.
Simpson Desert
This large desert of sand crests occupies most of South
Eastern Northern Territory. The desert also spreads into
South West Queens land. The summer heat is severe. Only
4WD roads pass through the area. But many tourists visit
this area in the winter months. Several rivers like the
Finke River run out into the desert and disappear. The
average annual rainfall is 175 -200mm. During summer the
average daytime temperature is 35 - 40C. It is quite
possible that Australia's hottest temperature may have
occurred here.
The Great Sandy Desert
The Great Sandy Desert is a flat area lying between the
rocky ranges of the Pilbara and the Kimberley. This vast
region of Western Australia is so sparsely populated.
Some isolated sheep stations can be seen only on the
coast.
Rainfall is too low with an average of 300mm throughout,
the coast and far north near the Kimberley. But the
rainfall is inconsistent with many drought years often
ending in a monsoon cloud mass or Tropical Cyclone. The
average rainfall seems high by desert standards with
250mm even in the driest parts. Almost all rain comes
from monsoon thunderstorms or the occasional Tropical
Cyclone rain depression.
The Great Victoria Desert
This is a large and sparsely populated region of Western
Australia. The Great Victoria Desert occupies the
southern portion of the area and borders the Nullarbor
Plain. The Great Victoria is a sandy desert with many
small dunes. Rainfall ranges between 200 and 250mm. |
