Monday, 18 August 2008

MEDIA RELEASE - WESTERN AUSTRALIA REGIONAL OFFICE

Eyre sets new record low temperature for WA

On Sunday 17 August 2008, Eyre, in the Eucla district, recorded a minimum temperature of -7.2ºC, setting an all time lowest temperature record for WA. The previous lowest temperature on record for the state was -6.7°C at Booylgoo Spring, in the southeast Gascoyne, on 12 July 1969. The previous lowest August temperature on record for WA was -6.1°C at Salmon Gums on 15 August 1970.

Eyre is currently experiencing an exceptional spell of cold nights with the past six consecutive nights below
-2.5°C (between 13 and 18 August). It registered its lowest August temperature on record of -5.5 °C on 15 August 2008, exceeding its previous lowest of -5.1ºC on 7 August 2002, but this was soon overtaken with -7.2°C two nights later on 17 August. This was the lowest temperature recorded at Eyre, and also the lowest in WA. The previous lowest temperature recorded at Eyre was -5.9ºC on 14 June 2006.

The current period of temperature recording at Eyre commenced in November 1983, although the Eyre Telegraph Station has a history of weather observation going back to 1885.

Further information:
Yanhui Blockley and Glenn Cook
Western Australia Climate Services Centre
tel: (08) 9263 2222.