The Antarctic ozone hole is about one-third to blame for Australia's recent series of droughts, scientists say.
Writing in the journal Science, they conclude that the hole has shifted wind and rainfall patterns right across the Southern Hemisphere, even the tropics.
Their climate models suggest the effect has been notably strong over Australia.
Many parts of the country have seen drought in recent years, with cities forced to invest in technologies such as desalination, and farms closing.
The scientists behind the new study - led from Columbia University in New York - added the ozone hole into standard climate models to investigate how it might have affected winds and rains.
"The ozone hole results in a southward shift of the high-latitude circulation - and the whole tropical circulation shifts southwards too," explained Columbia's Sarah Kang.
lol? dude, most of summer in Victoria, Australia was like winter. I like it that way. Theres probably only been 15 days this year when it has been sunny. Yes, summers are ment to be hot here but idn :confused:
lol? dude, most of summer in Victoria, Australia was like winter. I like it that way. Theres probably only been 15 days this year when it has been sunny. Yes, summers are ment to be hot here but idn :confused:
:FU: I just hope everything goes okay, besides, Summer just passed and our summer season wasn't to hot, comparing to last year, it was freaking 40 degrees Celcius