No abstract

Phases of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) have been identified using cluster analysis. The monthly phases are associated with amounts of rainfall expressed in terms of probability distributions for various locations in eastern Australia. The phase representing rapid rise in SO1 indicates above median rainfall during Southern Hemisphere autumn and spring at the locations analysed. The phase representing consistently positive SO1 generally corresponds with above median rainfall amounts while the phase representing consistently negative SO1 corresponds with below median rainfall amounts. As SO1 phases relate to actual rainfall amounts, expressed in terms of probability distributions, the phases have, for instance, direct application to agricultural decision support programmes.

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SUMMARYWinter thermal sensations of secondary and primary school-children in Queensland are related to air temperature. Neutrality is estimated by regression analysis of over 6000 assessments and a lower comfort limit is suggested to include 80 % of the children. Cold discomfort is seen as the main problem, and comparison is made to an earlier study in England.

Abstraet Possible relationships between weather and telephone calls to police' complaining of domestic violence, were investigated for Brisbane during 1992. Having accounted for the effect of the day of the week, significant associations were observed between calls and maximum air temperature, during all seasons. Prediction equations have been established for different days of the week. At the weekly level, the temperature association was enhanced by barometric pressure, yielding a regression which explained nearly 50% of the overall variability. It is suggested that the inputs into these regressions can be adequately forecasted, and that appropriate procedures may be developed for their practical application.