Annual Climate Summary - 2001

IN BRIEF

In 2001 Australia lived up to the poetic notion of being a land of drought and flooding rains - a land where the climate is highly variable. While some parts were wet and cool, at the same time, others were warm and dry.

Most of the western two-thirds of the continent experienced a very wet year. On the other hand, much of eastern Australia experienced a dry 2001. Extremely dry conditions were reported in the southwest corner, with record low autumn and early winter rains. Generally the east of the continent reported warmer than normal temperatures during 2001, with western parts reporting cooler than normal temperatures.

Australia’s highest daily temperature during 2001 was 48.0°C recorded at Wudinna, South Australia on 13th January, while the coldest recorded temperature was -11.7°C at Charlotte Pass, New South Wales on both 2nd and 23rd July. The highest verified daily rainfall observation of 650 mm was recorded at Leigh, New South Wales on 9th March, while Australia’s wettest place, Bellenden Ker, Queensland recorded the most rainfall for the whole year with over 6.5 m of rain.

CONTENTS

• Front cover of the summary (PDF)
• Annual Temperature Record (PDF)
• Monthly Maximum Temperatures (PDF)
• Monthly Minimum Temperatures (PDF)
• Monthly Distribution of Rainfall Deciles (PDF)
• Annual Deciles and Rainfall Totals (PDF)
• Significant Events in the Year (PDF)
• Rainfall and Temperatures Extremes by State (PDF)
• Capital City Summary (PDF)

The PDF files should give good quality prints but if you require a bound copy of the summary, please contact (03) 9669 4644 during normal office hours from 9:00am to 5:30pm (EDT) Monday to Friday.