A climate reconstruction of Sydney Cove, New South Wales, using weather journal and documentary data, 1788–1791
Article
Article Title | A climate reconstruction of Sydney Cove, New South Wales, using weather journal and documentary data, 1788–1791 |
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ERA Journal ID | 1958 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Gergis, Joelle (Author), Karoly, David J. (Author) and Allan, Robert J. (Author) |
Journal Title | Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal |
Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science | |
Journal Citation | 53 (2), pp. 83-98 |
Number of Pages | 16 |
Year | 2009 |
Publisher | CSIRO Publishing |
Place of Publication | Melbourne, Australia |
ISSN | 1836-716X |
2206-5865 | |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.bom.gov.au/amoj/docs/2009/gergis.pdf |
Abstract | This study presents the first analysis of the weather conditions experienced at Sydney Cove, New South Wales, during the earliest period of the European settlement of Australia. A climate analysis is presented for January 1788 to December 1791 using daily temperature and barometric pressure observations recorded by William Dawes in Sydney Cove and a temperature record kept by William Bradley on board the HMS Sirius anchored in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) in the early months of the First Fleet's arrival in Australia. Remarkably, the records appear comparable with modern day measurements taken from Sydney Observatory Hill, displaying similar daily variability, a distinct seasonal cycle and considerable inter-annual variability. To assess the reliability of these early weather data, they were cross-verified with other data sources, including anecdotal observations recorded in First Fleet documentary records and independent palaeoclimate reconstructions. Some biases in the temperature record, likely associated with the location of the thermometer, have been identified. Although the 1788-1791 period experienced a marked La Niña to El Niño fluctuation according to palaeoclimatic data, the cool and warm intervals in Sydney over this period cannot be conclusively linked to El Niño- Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions. This study demonstrates that there are excellent opportunities to expand our description of pre-20th century climate variability in Australia while contributing culturally significant material to the emerging field of Australian environmental history. |
Keywords | annual variation; climate variation; documentary source; El Nino; El Nino-Southern Oscillation; La Nina; measurement method; observational method; paleoclimate; proxy climate record; Australasia; Australia; New South Wales; Sydney [New South Wales] |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 370108. Meteorology |
370202. Climatology | |
410404. Environmental management | |
Public Notes | Dr Robert Allan is an Adjunct Professor in the Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments, University of Southern Queensland. (E-mail:rob.allan@metoffice.gov.uk) |
Byline Affiliations | University of Melbourne |
Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q0vxy/a-climate-reconstruction-of-sydney-cove-new-south-wales-using-weather-journal-and-documentary-data-1788-1791
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