Cross spectral analysis between Darwin and the rest of Australia does not reveal significant propagation of rainfall anomalies in the Australian monsoon region, unlike the Indian monsoon which shows pronounced south to north propagation of rainfall on 40-50 day timescales. A similar result is found for the coherence between zonal winds, measured either at Darwin or close to the equator, and Australian monsoon rainfall. A composite analysis of rainfall anomalies relative to strong westerly winds through the equatorial regions of Indonesia (100oE to 150oE) suggests that the strongest westerly bursts are associated with drier conditions over most of northern Australia,while wetter conditions are found 5 to 10 days after the maximum wind is observed at the equator for more moderate westerly wind bursts. This suggests that the strongest events propagate zonally across Indonesia and into the Western Pacific with minimal impact on north Australia.
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