Summary:
- Driest October, and the warmest October nights on record for SA.
- The driest September/October on record for South Australia.
- Driest September/October for Adelaide since 1914.
Widespread rainfall deficits have resulted in October 2008 being the driest on record for South Australia. Most rainfall stations in South Australia have, for October 2008, recorded rainfall in the lowest 10% of records for the month.
This is combined with temperatures being significantly above average for October. Maximum temperatures were generally 2 to 3 degrees above average. Minimum temperatures were about 1 to 2 degrees above average resulting in the warmest October nights on record since 1950.
Spring rainfall so far has also been very much below average across South Australia, and southeastern Australia more generally. The South Australian rainfall over this period is the lowest on record, beating the previous driest September and October of 2006. The low rainfall in September and October has also contributed to the second lowest January to October rainfall in the record.
Adelaide has totalled 8.0mm for October 2008, following 16.0mm in September 2008. This total of 24mm for September and October 2008 is well below the average of 108mm, with the driest year in this period being 1914 with 19.3mm, and 2008 being the third driest.
The driest Spring on record in Adelaide was 33.9mm in 1896. If November rainfall is less than 10mm this year, this would make this Spring the driest on record.
Further information please contact
Darren Ray, Senior Meteorologist, South Australian Climate Section, Bureau of Meteorology (08) 8366 2664
Paul Lainio, Public and Marine Officer, Bureau of Meteorology, 0417 886 850
