Weather
Weather warnings, forecasts and maps
Weather Observations
NSW and ACT observations, especially:
- Canberra Airport (eastern side of Canberra)
- Tuggeranong (southern Canberra)
- Mt Ginini (western side of the ACT)
- Curtin - ESA HQ (more central)
- Captains Flat Weather Radar (covers ACT and region) and Map
- Storm tracking - Lightning strikes
- NSW - (courtesy of Country Energy)
Weather and Fire
Low relative humidity, high winds and lack of rain all contribute to increased fire danger. Sunshine and high temperatures rapidly dry timber and grass (fuel) which burn very quickly. Hot air can lower the moisture content of forests and grasslands to around 5 per cent and in extreme cases to 2-3 per cent, greatly increasing the speed of the fire.
Higher winds mean more oxygen and more intense flames. Winds also carry burning embers downwind, which can start new fires. This is known as spotting. Dry grass, parched native shrubs and dead leaves and twigs are a bushfire's basic fuel. During droughts and in very hot, windy weather, even heavy fuels like large logs and the green leaves and smaller branches of large trees can quickly become dry and flammable.
Read further information about Bushfire Weather.
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