Executive Summary
This project builds on previous
work with Australian Rainman version 2. The objectives were to enhance
management of climate variability throughout Australia by further developing
Australian Rainman to versions 3 and 4, applying Rainman to research on
climatic variability and seasonal forecasts, and establishing an effective
communication strategy that has active cross links with extension, education
and agri-business.
Version 4 of Rainman was
published as Rainman International V 4.1 and Rainman StreamFlow V 4.3 and
released in October 2003. Version 3 was released as Australian Rainman
in October 1999.
Rainman is now used throughout
Australia by farmers, educators, business people, consultants, extension
officers and researchers. The CD is sold in three editions (Standard ($125),
Educational ($125) and Professional ($450)) and includes:
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a world-wide data set of monthly
rainfall (9500 locations), an Australian data set of daily historical rainfall
(3800 locations), long-term monthly temperatures (625 locations) and time
series data of observed and modelled monthly/daily streamflow (400 locations)
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facilities to import/export
data and to update data via the Internet
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comprehensive analyses of climatic
risk including droughts, flood years and seasonal forecasts of the amount,
timing and frequency of rainfall and streamflow using the SOI and SST as
climate indicators with results shown as tables, graphs and maps.
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educational and reference information
including an electronic version of Will It Rain? (Partridge 2001), a map
library, a suite of tutorials on using climatic information and seasonal
forecasts in agriculture, a graphics library, and full text of ten scientific
papers on the origin, data, analytical methods and applications of Rainman.
Over 4700 packages have
been distributed with many going to groups of people. A demonstration CD
of Rainman is being distributed free of charge to a further 3000 users
as a promotion by Land & Water Australia. This CD times out in September
2004.
Rainman has made significant
contributions to rural and regional Australia by providing a high-quality
and easily accessible suite of information about climatic risk and the
application of seasonal forecasts in agriculture. Application of Rainman
has also contributed to research on understanding the impacts of the El
Niño/ Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the application of decision
support software in climate education. On-going promotion and adoption
are key challenges for the future. Other challenges are: incorporating
climate change issues in climate risk analyses, long-lead forecasts and
linking to data from global circulation models, development of internet
capabilities for targeted forecasts, improved data updating, and greater
capacity with modelled streamflow data . The projects three main publications
are:
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Clewett, J.F., Smith, P.G.,
Partridge, I.J., George, D.A. and Peacock, A. (1999). Australian Rainman
Version 3: an integrated software package of Rainfall Information for Better
Management. Department of Primary Industries Queensland, QI98071.
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Clewett, J.F., Clarkson, N.M.,
George, D.A., Ooi, S., Owens, D.T., Partridge, I.J. and Simpson, G.B. (2003).
Rainman StreamFlow (version 4.3): a comprehensive climate and streamflow
analysis package on CD to assess seasonal forecasts and manage climatic
risk. Department of Primary Industries Queensland, QI03040.
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Partridge, I.J. (Ed.) (2001).
Will It Rain? Effects of the Southern Oscillation and El Niño
on Australia. Third Edition, Dept of Primary Industries Qld, Brisbane,
QI01016, 56 pp.
Last updated: 13 January
2005
Copyright RIRDC
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/EFM/04-181sum.html
