Friday, 8 January 2021 - Annual Climate Summary for Greater Adelaide - Product code IDCKGC53L0

Greater Adelaide in 2020: near average rainfall and temperatures

Rainfall in 2020 was close to average or above average at sites across Adelaide and the Hills. Both daytime and night-time temperatures for 2020 were within 1 °C of average at most sites across Adelaide and the Hills.

Near average rainfall

• Rainfall in 2020 was close to average or above average at all sites across Adelaide and the Hills.
• Overall, 2020 was Greater Adelaide's wettest year since 2017.
• It was a wet start to the year, with above average rainfall for the January to April period.

• Rainfall was very much below average in July, before average to above average rainfall returned to the city in September and October.
• The year ended with two drier than average months, with some sites recording less than half their November average rainfall.
• Rainfall totals for 2020 ranged from 88% of average at Parafield Airport and Adelaide Airport to 120% of average at Kuitpo Forest Reserve.

Coolest year since 2003

• After more than a decade of warmer than average years, 2020 was Greater Adelaide's overall coolest year since 2003.
• Daytime temperatures for 2020 were within 1 °C of the long-term average at most sites across Adelaide and the Hills.
• Temperatures varied markedly during the year, with several significant heatwaves being offset by some very much cooler than average days, particularly during winter.
• On 7 August, South Australia as a whole had its coldest August day on record and Kuitpo Forest Reserve had its coldest day on record.
• Edinburgh RAAF equalled its lowest mean daily maximum temperature since 1998.
• Mean maximum temperatures ranged from 0.7 °C cooler than average at Kuitpo Forest Reserve to 1.1 °C warmer than average at Mount Lofty.
• Night-time temperatures for the year were within 1 °C of average at all sites across Adelaide and the Hills.
• Mean minimum temperatures ranged from 0.6 °C cooler than average at Parafield Airport to 0.3 °C warmer than average at Adelaide Airport.
• Much of eastern South Australia, including Adelaide, experienced many cold nights during winter.
• During winter, Parafield Airport and Noarlunga had their lowest temperature on record.
• Parafield Airport had its lowest mean daily minimum temperature since 1998.
• Edinburgh RAAF had its overall lowest mean temperature since 1998.

Adelaide (West Terrace / ngayirdapira)

• Total rainfall for Adelaide (West Terrace / ngayirdapira) was 471.2 mm, which is 89% of the long-term average of 526.7 mm.
• The mean daily maximum temperature for Adelaide (West Terrace / ngayirdapira) was 22.0 °C, which is 0.2 °C above the long-term average of 21.8 °C.
• The warmest day was 43.3 °C on 30 January, and the coolest day was on 7 August when the temperature reached 10.3 °C.
• The mean daily minimum temperature for Adelaide (West Terrace / ngayirdapira) was 12.1 °C, which is 0.1 °C above the long-term average of 12.0 °C.
• The coldest morning was 0.8 °C on 5 August, and the warmest morning was on 31 January when the minimum temperature was 29.0 °C.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top