Rainfallnear average: The city received 52.8 millimetres of rainfall over 16 days in October compared with the average of 53 mm over 9 days. October 2005 saw the greatest number of rain days since the 18 in 1989. Last October Perth recorded 37.8 mm on 11 days. Total rainfall for January to October this year was 856.4 mm compared with the average of 824 mm, making it the wettest January to October period since 1995, then 869.6 mm. The wettest January to October total on record was 1270.0 mm in 1945.

Mean daily maximum temperature well below average: Perth's mean daily maximum temperature in October was 20.7 degrees Celsius, which is the lowest October mean daily maximum temperature at the official Perth metropolitan observation site in Mt Lawley in its twelve year history. The previous lowest of 21.9 degrees occurred in 1999, whilst the average maximum temperature is 22.8 degrees. Maxima ranged from a cool 15.8 degrees on the 9th to a warm 27.6 degrees on the 23rd.

Mean daily minimum temperature below average: Perth's mean daily minimum temperature in October was 9.7 degrees Celsius, which is the lowest October mean daily minimum temperature at the official Perth metropolitan observation site at Mt Lawley. The previous lowest of 10.0 degrees occurred in 2001 whilst the average minimum temperature is 11.2 degrees. Minima ranged from a very cold 2.5 degrees on the 10th, the second lowest daily minimum temperature for Perth in October on record, to a mild 14.8 degrees on the 1st.

Mean daily sunshine hours near average: Perth's mean daily sunshine hours in October was 9.1, compared to the average of 9.6 hours. (This is a preliminary figure based on the available data at the time of the media release. Please check updated mean sunshine hours from Daily Weather Observations for Perth in early November).

Climate of Perth in November

November days in Perth are generally sunny and either mild or warm. A few hot days occur, usually in the latter part of the month. The general springtime decline in rainfall continues with an average of 22 mm over six days.

** Denotes the highest daily maximum temperature recorded on 24 November 1913 and 11 November 2003.

Hot days in November: On average, Perth can expect four November days when the maximum temperature is 32 degrees or higher. The record of nine such days was set in 1940 whilst last November Perth recorded five such days.

Earliest 40-degree day of the season: The earliest 40-degree maximum temperature of the season occurred on 11 November 2003, when 40.3 degrees was recorded. A maximum temperature of 40 degrees or higher has only occurred three times in November in Perth since records began in 1897.

Note: Official Perth observations have been recorded at several different sites with varying instrumentation over the years, and these changes can affect the continuity of the climate record. For the current Mt Lawley site, the most significant changes of this kind relate to temperature and rain days. For that reason, current mean temperature and rain-day data quoted here are based only on readings from the Mt Lawley site, which commenced observations in 1993. Sunshine recordings are from Perth Airport and for similar reasons current means use only Perth Airport data, which commenced in 1993.

Further information:
John Relf (JR), or Glenn Cook tel: (08) 9263 2222 on weekdays.