Climate and air pollution
Brisbane is in a basin formed by a semicircle of ranges. This basin can trap polluted air, which stays there until it is dispersed by wind or rinsed from the air by rain.
In the warmer months of November to April, South-east Queensland generally has windy conditions with rain and storms that disperse pollution and rinse the air. Between May and October, wind speeds are generally much lower and less rain falls, so air pollution is less likely to be dispersed.
Temperature inversions are a common weather condition in SEQ, especially in cooler months. They trap pollutants, leading to higher levels of air pollution.
Uncontrolled bushfires, mainly in summer, increase the quantity of particles in the air and greatly decrease visibility in SEQ. Generally in July to September, controlled burning of bushland areas occurs to reduce uncontrolled or ‘wild’ bushfires in the summer.
Last updated: 28 November 2003
