Two decades later and climate data across the world is under increasing threat. So Karl et al. (1995) observe that 'Even after extensive re-working of past data, in many instances we are incapable of resolving important aspects concerning climate change and variability. Virtually every monitoring system and dataset require better data quality, continuity, and homogeneity if we expect to conclusively answer questions of interest to both scientists and policy-makers . . . the continued degradation of conventional surface-based observing systems in many countries (both developed and developing) is an ominous sign with respect to sustaining present capabilities into the future'. This has occurred at the same time as public and political interest in climate has risen. This situation recalls the situation with Queensland weather observations around the rum of the century. Clement Wragge had established a superb observing system throughout Queensland in the last decades of the 19th century. But a severe drought at the turn of the century led to its dismantling, because of reduced Government funds. We must ensure that our future capability to monitor, predict and understand the climate is not similarly undermined, just as the need for climate information peaks.

For much of the past 50 years, operational climatology in Australia has been the equal of that anywhere in the world. Especially during the 1960s the data archiving was superb, in world terms, as was the operational use of these data in maintaining a national drought watch system. Resource limitations, and a greater focus on daily weather prediction, during the 1970s and 1980s somewhat diminished the Australian efforts in climatology. We are now not in the lofty position we once were, relative the rest of the world. For instance, apart from major cities, daily meteorological observations prior to 1957 have not been digitised. Yet these historical daily observations are of crucial importance for assessing if and how the climate has changed. Without these observations we are unable to determine whether the climate is becoming more or less extreme, as we perturb the atmosphere with enhanced greenhouse gases and aerosols.

In some areas, however, Australian operational climatology still leads the world. In operational seasonal climate prediction, and climate variability monitoring, the systems we have in place, within the Bureau of Meteorology and elsewhere, are at the forefront of the science, and research funders have recognised the opportunities to enhance the current capabilities. Australian expertise in these areas is sought internationally by other organisations and countries eager to apply similar technologies to the monitoring and prediction of climate. The international role of Australian operational climatology owes much to the vision of W. Gibbs and, before him, to the colonial meteorologists and H. A. Hunt.

Bureau of Meteorology