Why are droughts and floods common hazards in Queensland?

Droughts and floods are common hazards in Queensland due to the state's highly variable rainfall patterns and its susceptibility to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate cycle.12

Climate Variability and ENSO

Queensland’s climate is significantly influenced by the ENSO system, which causes irregular fluctuations in atmospheric pressure and ocean temperatures every few years.23
* Droughts: During El Niño events, the weakening of trade winds often leads to reduced rainfall across northern and eastern Australia, frequently resulting in drought conditions.23
* Floods: Conversely, La Niña events typically amplify trade winds, bringing increased precipitation to the region. This can lead to extreme rainfall, causing major river systems to overrun their banks and resulting in record-breaking flooding, such as the events of 2010–2011.214

Additional Factors

Beyond ENSO, the state is also prone to tropical cyclones, particularly along its northern coasts. These storms bring torrential rains and storm surges that can overwhelm local drainage and cause severe flooding in both coastal and inland areas.156