The Mallee Plot Network Weather Station Data package contains precipitation data from automatic (Tarawi Homestead, established 1994) and visually monitored weather stations (Tarawi Nature Reserve, Scotia Sanctuary, established 1996-2006). Prior to that time, rainfall records had been maintained since 1941 by visually monitored rain gauge. Four additional visually monitored rain gauges were established in Tarawi NR in January 1997, a further five were established in May 2001, and two were established in Scotia Sanctuary in September 2007. The Mallee Plot Network research plots commenced in 1996 and were revisited annually for 3 years and then on a decadal basis. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Mallee Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/mallee

These data are the rainfall readings from sites in Tarawi Nature Reserve and Scotia Sanctuary. Between 1996 and 2011, 53 experimental sites were established on dune crests and upper slopes, of which 29 are located in Tarawi Nature Reserve, 16 are in Scotia Sanctuary and 8 are in Danggali Conservation Park. After initial censuses in three consecutive years (before and after prescribed fire) or two consecutive years (after wildfire), sites are revisited approximately every five years. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Mallee Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/mallee.

These data are the rainfall readings from sites in Tarawi Nature Reserve and Scotia Sanctuary. Between 1996 and 2011, 53 experimental sites were established on dune crests and upper slopes, of which 29 are located in Tarawi Nature Reserve, 16 are in Scotia Sanctuary and 8 are in Danggali Conservation Park. After initial censuses in three consecutive years (before and after prescribed fire) or two consecutive years (after wildfire), sites are revisited approximately every five years. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Mallee Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/mallee.

The Woodland Restoration Plot Network Drought data package contains Hutchinson’s Drought Indices calculated for the Prospect Reservoir, a location in close proximity of the Woodland Restoration Plot Network plots. The Hutchinson climatic drought indices were invented by Professor Michael Hutchinson at the Australian National University in 1992. Professor Hutchinson designed two indices to reflect the duration and the severity of agricultural droughts using precipitation data. Professor Hutchinson subsequently collaborated with Mr Ivan Hanigan at LTERN to extend the drought indices with new methods, and a computer program was written to compute the indices using a range of climatic data sources. The Woodland Restoration Plot Network Drought data package was created from three different data sources: 1) the Bureau of Meteorology Station data 1887-2014, 2) the Australian Water Availability Project’s gridded climate data 1900-2014 and 3) the TERN EMAST gridded climate data 1970-2012. The project conducted a comparative analysis of the different climatic data sources, which differ in terms of their temporal extent and spatial resolution. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Woodland Restoration Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/woodland-restoration

This package contains automatic weather station readings from a site in Tarawi Nature Reserve, first set up in May 2015, replacing an older manual rainfall gauge. Between 1996 and 2011, 53 experimental sites were established on dune crests and upper slopes, of which 29 are located in Tarawi Nature Reserve, 16 are in Scotia Sanctuary and 8 are in Danggali Conservation Park. After initial censuses in three consecutive years (before and after prescribed fire) or two consecutive years (after wildfire), sites are revisited approximately every five years. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Mallee Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/mallee.

Schools Weather and Air Quality (SWAQ) is a citizen science project funded by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science as part of its Inspiring Australia - Citizen Engagement Program. SWAQ is equipping public schools across Sydney with research-grade meteorology and air quality sensors, enabling students to collect and analyse research quality data through curriculum-aligned classroom activities. The network includes twelve automatic weather stations and seven automatic air quality stations, stretched from -33.5995° to -34.0421° latitude and from 150.6913° to 151.2708° longitude. The average spacing is 10.2 km and the average installation height is 2.5 m above ground level. Optimum site allocation was determined by undertaking a multi-criteria weighted overlay analysis to ensure data representativeness and quality. Six meteorological parameters (dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, rain, wind speed, and wind direction) and six air pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO, O3, PM2.5, and PM10) are recorded. Observations and metadata are available from September 2019 for WXT536 + AQT420 stations and from October 2019 for WXT536 stations (refer to Table 1 of the Dataset Guide), thus encompassing the Black Summer bushfire and the COVID-19 lockdown period. Data routinely undergo quality control, quality assurance and publication.