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Western Cape and Gulf Freshwater Biogeographic Province

Western Cape and Gulf Freshwater Biogeographic Province – Climate

Wet season (Jan-Mar) Average temperature (25°) Temperature varies along a west east gradient Width of riparian zone (37m) Small trees Grasses Low relief ratio Percentage of water which is base flow (8%) Annual spate duration (1 month) Annual no-flow duration (7 months) Sandstone Clay High macroinvertebrate richness Turbidity variable through region Turbidity variable through region Large woody debris cover (8%) Submerged and emergent macrophyte growth forms dominant Concave bank shape category Convex bank shape category Dominant bank slope (10°-80°) Fauna Fauna

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Rainfall

Very dry conditions, Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

In the north of the FBP rainfall is driven by the summer monsoon, which also affects the south.   The weather is linked with the El Nino and La Nina climate patterns.

A north to south gradient exists for annual mean precipitation, ranging from dry to moderate.  It forms three bands roughly equating to high rainfall in the tropical north of the Cape York Peninsula, moderate amounts in the centre of the FBP around the Einasleigh Uplands and the least amount of rain occurs in the Gulf Plains and the semi-arid Mitchell Grass Downs in the south of the FBP.  Aside from a few small sections on the eastern edge of the FBP, the driest quarter mean precipitation is very dry and homogenous across the FBP.

Rainfall erosivity is high overall although it varies across the FBP.  Patterns of erosivity correspond closely to annual mean rainfall.  As such the areas of highest erosivity are in the north and lowest in the south.

 

Rainfall

Methods

Mean SE Minimum Maximum
Annual mean precipitation (mm) 802.294 0.13 338 3022
Driest quarter precipitation (mm) 109.28 0.00346 0 245
Rainfall erosivity (MJ mm ha-1 hr-1 yr-1) 5992.875 1.38 1420 19176

Summary maps of FBP rainfall   State rainfall map

Temperature

Temperature ranges from hot to cold, Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

Annual mean temperature for the FBP ranges from hot to cool.  Cool areas of the FBP are limited to the south-eastern margin.  The highest mean maximum temperature also demonstrates that the hottest temperatures occur in the semi-arid areas of the south-west of the FBP.  The ratio of hottest weekly maximum to coldest weekly minimum shows that temperatures tend to be consistent throughout the FBP. 

 

Temperature

Methods

 

Mean SE Minimum Maximum
Mean annual temperature (°C) 24.964 0.000521 17.1 26.8
Highest weekly mean maximum temperature (°C) 35.859 0.000744 25.6 38.4
Lowest weekly mean maximum temperature (°C) 11.812 0.00108 6.4 20.4
Ratio hottest weekly maximum to coldest weekly minimum 3.225 0.000332 1.574 5.282

Summary maps of FBP temperature   State temperature map

 

Water balance

Near the Northern Territory Border, Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

Run-off varies across the FBP; mean annual run-off tends to be moderate (2 mm).  Spatially, run-off varies with rainfall; it follows a similar north-south gradient, with high run-off at the north of the province to low run-off in the south. 

 

Water balance

Methods

 

Mean SE Minimum Maximum
Annual mean run-off (mm) 2.016 0.0059 0.0138 21.956

FBP run-off map

Last updated: 22 March 2013

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Western Cape and Gulf Freshwater Biogeographic Province – Climate, WetlandInfo website, accessed 18 March 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/aquatic-ecosystems-natural/riverine/freshwater-biogeo/western-cape-and-gulf/climate.html

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of Environment, Science and Innovation