Understanding tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclones threaten northern Australia every year. Recent Australian flooding and cyclonic events can be largely explained by a strong La Niña. However, sea surface temperatures off the northern Australian coast in 2011 were at or near record levels. The extremely high sea surface temperatures are part of a significant warming of the oceans that has been observed in the past 50 years. These pages provide some information about the causes, occurrence and impacts of tropical cyclones.

Repairing flood damaged buildings

Flooding across Australia can damage many homes and buildings. This page provides information about cleaning and repairing flood damaged buildings.

CSIRO's online Flood Damage Advisor service

CSIRO's Flood Damage Advisor is an online web based tool that provides the user information of a number of common building fabric and material problems that occur after a flood.

Understanding the causes and impacts of flooding

This overview explains the causes of flooding in extreme weather events, and the ecological impacts of floods. Information is also provided about repairing flood damaged buildings.

Modelling dam breaks, tsunamis and other geophysical events

CSIRO mathematicians are creating computational models of events like floods, dam breaks and tsunamis to aid understanding and planning for these phenomena.

Short-term water forecasting and prediction

The Short-term Water Forecasting and Prediction project is part of the Water Information Research and Development Alliance between CSIRO's Water for a Healthy Country Flagship and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Extreme weather events - what can we expect?

CSIRO scientists are using a number of different methods to predict the risk of occurrence of severe weather events.

CSIRO imagery shows outer Great Barrier Reef at risk from river plumes

A stunning series of satellite imagery of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef released by the CSIRO shows for the first time visual confirmation of the theory that sediment plumes travel to the outer reef, and beyond.

Ecological Outcomes of Flow Regimes in the Murray-Darling Basin report

This report outlines research that is assisting water managers to improve and justify the delivery of environmental water to protect ecological assets across the Murray-Darling Basin. (422 pages)

SEQ drought likely caused by ‘climate variability’

The recent South-East Queensland (SEQ) drought was likely caused by shifts associated with climate variability over decades rather than climate change, according to the findings of a team of CSIRO researchers led by Dr Wenju Cai.

Bushfires

CSIRO bushfire research is improving the understanding of fire, and improving technologies and strategies to save lives and limit damage.
Australian scientists are developing reliable tools for predicting bushfire behaviour to save lives and limit damage.

The impact of weeds on rainforests following Cyclone Larry

Severe Category 4 Tropical Cyclone Larry hit the North Queensland coast in 2006 causing extensive destruction to rainforest habitats in the Wet Tropics. The widespread disturbance caused by the cyclone provided ideal conditions for rapid recruitment and spread of invasive weeds in Queensland’s rainforests.