In Tasmania, talking about the weather isn’t just small talk. It’s a shared obsession. We joke about four seasons in a day, check three fine forecasts and still pack a jacket, and know that a sunny morning can end in a soaking.

But what’s behind these wild swings? How rare is a so-called 1-in-100-year storm? And what happens when the patterns we’ve relied on start to shift?

This talk brings together experts in meteorology, climate science and agriculture to explore what drives Tasmania’s most extreme weather events and what they mean for our land, livelihoods and future.

Attend online

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The experts

Dr Paul Fox-Hughes is a research meteorologist with the Bureau of Meteorology in Tasmania, specialising in high-impact weather events such as severe storms and heavy rainfall. With over 30 years of experience, he leads the High Impact Weather team within the Bureau's Research Program, focusing on improving forecasting models to better predict extreme weather conditions. His work aims to enhance community preparedness and response to weather-related hazards.

Dr Annette Stellema is a climate scientist and research engineer at CSIRO in Hobart. She holds a PhD in Climate Science from the University of New South Wales, where her research focuses on ocean circulation and climate variability. Her expertise includes analysing climate extremes and developing models to assess the frequency and impact of extreme weather events, contributing to a better understanding of climate risks.

Dr Steve Curnin is an Associate Professor at the University of Tasmania where he is co-director of the Disaster Resilience Research Group. His research explores strategic decision making and foresight in the context of disasters. Prior to commencing a career in academia, Steve worked as a practitioner in disaster management with several state and federal government agencies and in the not-for-profits sector.

Hosted by Corey Peterson, Chief Sustainability Officer, University of Tasmania. Corey has worked at the University of Tasmania since 2010, charged with advancing a holistic organisational sustainability agenda. He has been on the board of Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability since 2012, serving as President from 2018-2024, and is a director at TasWaste South. Corey also spent 16 years supporting science in Antarctica before immigrating to Tasmania.

Pre-event refreshments

Head to the venue early and enjoy complimentary refreshments from 5.30pm.

Parking

Free parking, including accessible spaces, is available at the venue.

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Find out more

Want to learn more about the University of Tasmania's Island of Ideas public talks series? Catch-up on past events, register for upcoming talks or get in touch with us via our Island of Ideas webpage.

Event partner
This event is brought to you in partnership by the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society and the University of Tasmania for National Science Week.