During the buildup the heat and humidity increase markedly (hovering in the high 30s for weeks on end - the humidity making it feel even hotter), electrical storms are going on all around at night time, but there is no rain to relieve the heat, even at night time. This gets people feeling crankier and crankier and less tolerant of others as the buildup goes on. Compounding this, people also tend to drink more alcohol which to relieve the heat and tension, but end up having the opposite effect.
Tropical great is linked with higher rates of anxiety, depression, stress and hostility, as well as fewer hours of sleep, reduced appetite and lower energy levels.
During the build up, lots of people leave Darwin, Cairns and the like as they can't handle the heat, so the population is noticeably less. However, violent crimes increase markedly during the period.
50% of murders occur during the build up, hospitalisations due to fractures are 40% higher, and suicides and sexual assault are higher too, yet non violent crimes do not vary.
They are starting to think of it as a seasonally affected disorder.