Australia's warmest financial year on record
The 2024–25 financial year was Australia's warmest on record, with the nationally-averaged mean temperature 1.68 °C above the 1961–1990 average. Sea surface temperatures for the Australian region were the warmest on record, 0.94 °C above the 1961–1990 average. There were contrasting rainfall patterns in the north and the south. In parts of northern Australia, above average rainfall from prolonged tropical activity increased soil moisture, streamflows and water storage levels. However, in parts of southern Australia, below average rainfall has prolonged the dry conditions, further reducing soil moisture, streamflows and water storage levels.
Key statistics
Temperature
- The nationally-averaged mean temperature in the 2024–25 financial year was 1.68 °C above the 1961–1990 average, the warmest since observations began in 1910–11.
- The nationally-averaged maximum and minimum temperatures were the warmest on record at 1.85 °C and 1.51 °C above average, respectively.
Rainfall
- Australia's overall average rainfall for the 2024–25 financial year was 10% above the 1961–1990 average.
- Area-averaged rainfall was 21% above average overall across northern Australia, while for southern Australia rainfall was 5% below average.
- For parts of Victoria and South Australia, rainfall was the lowest on record since 1900–01, continuing the prolonged dry conditions.
Water resources
- Streamflow was above average in approximately 30% of sites, mostly across eastern and northern Queensland and New South Wales, while 32% of sites, mostly in South Australia, Tasmania, western and central Victoria recorded below average streamflow.
- Surface water storage levels continued to decline across the country (sitting at 70% of capacity), including those in the Murray–Darling Basin.
- Compared to the previous year, 4% fewer groundwater bores showed a rising 5-year trend, while 6% more bores showed a declining trend.
Tropical cyclones
- There were 12 tropical cyclones in the Australian region from October 2024 to April 2025, the most since 2005–06 and slightly above the average of 11 for all years since 1969–70, or the average of 9 since 2000–01.
Oceans and Atmosphere
- The 2024–25 financial year sea surface temperature for the Australian region (4°S to 46°S and 94°E to 174°E) was the warmest on record, 0.94 °C above the 1961–1990 average.
- The monsoon onset at Darwin was on 7 February 2025, the latest on record since reliable observations began in 1957–58.
The nationally-averaged mean temperature in the 2024–25 financial year was 1.68 °C above the 1961–1990 average, the warmest financial year since records began in 1910–11. The previous record was 1.40 °C above average in 2015–16. The nationally-averaged mean temperature for all months was warmer than average, with August 2024 to March 2025 all among the top 5 warmest on record for their respective months.
Temperature
Maximum temperature
The nationally-averaged maximum temperature in the 2024–25 financial year was 1.85 °C above average, the warmest on record. Maximum temperatures were above to very much above average (in the warmest 10% of financial years since 1910–11) for most of Australia, and highest on record for:
- all of Victoria and almost all of Tasmania and South Australia
- a large area of New South Wales
- parts of western Queensland and adjoining inland areas of the Northern Territory
- southern and inland areas of Western Australia and an area of the west coast.
Minimum temperature
The nationally-averaged minimum temperature was 1.51 °C above average, the warmest on record. Minimum temperatures were above to very much above average (in the warmest 10% of financial years since 1910–11) for most of Australia and highest on record for:
- coastal New South Wales and large parts of the north-west
- large parts of Victoria
- parts of the southern coast of Tasmania and its north-east
- southern, western and northern areas of Queensland
- southern parts of the Northern Territory
- large parts of South Australia and Western Australia
Monthly temperature
In 2024–25, the nationally-averaged mean temperature for all months was warmer than average. August 2024 to March 2025 were all among the top 5 warmest on record since 1910 for their respective months.
Nationwide, winter 2024 was the second-warmest winter on record, spring 2024 was the warmest on record, summer 2024–25 was the second-warmest on record and autumn 2025 was the fourth-warmest on record.
Frequent slow-moving high-pressure systems dominated weather patterns throughout much of the 2024–25 financial year, leading to clear skies, allowing heat build-up over much of the continent, and generating warmer than average temperatures, particularly daytime temperatures.
An unseasonably warm air mass in the second half of August 2024 brought record-breaking heat to large parts of the country. Overall, it was Australia's warmest August on record, with the nationally-averaged mean temperature 3.04 °C above the 1961–1990 average. Many stations had their warmest August and warmest winter maximum and minimum temperatures on record.
Low to severe intensity heatwave conditions persisted from September 2024 to mid-March 2025 across large parts of the country, with extreme heatwave conditions at times in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. The March 2025 nationally-averaged mean temperature was 2.42 °C above average, the warmest on record for March.
In May and June 2025, there were extended periods of clear skies and light winds from slow moving high pressure systems that, when combined with a cold southerly airflow, resulted in large areas of southern, eastern and northern Australia recording below to very much below average temperatures.
Area-average temperatures
| Maximum Temperature | Minimum Temperature | Mean Temperature | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Anomaly | Comment | Rank | Anomaly | Comment | Rank | Anomaly | Comment | |
| Australia | 115 | +1.85 | highest | 115 | +1.51 | highest | 115 | +1.68 | highest |
| Queensland | 112 | +1.48 | 4th highest | 114 | +1.77 | 2nd highest | 114 | +1.63 | 2nd highest |
| New South Wales | 113 | +2.08 | 3rd highest | 115 | +1.60 | highest | 115 | +1.84 | highest |
| Victoria | 115 | +1.95 | highest | 112 | +1.11 | 4th highest | 115 | +1.54 | highest |
| Tasmania | 114 | +1.07 | 2nd highest | 109 | +0.65 | 7th highest | 114 | +0.86 | 2nd highest |
| South Australia | 115 | +2.43 | highest | 115 | +1.57 | highest | 115 | +2.00 | highest |
| Western Australia | 114 | +2.05 | 2nd highest | 115 | +1.51 | highest | 115 | +1.78 | highest |
| Northern Territory | 111 | +1.39 | 5th highest | 115 | +1.20 | highest | 114 | +1.30 | 2nd highest |
The nationally-averaged total rainfall for the 2024–25 financial year was 10% above the 1961–1990 average. Area-averaged rainfall was 21% above average overall across northern Australia. While area-averaged rainfall across southern Australia was 5% below average, much of south-eastern South Australia and western Victoria had their driest financial year on record since 1900–01.
Northern Australia
Area-averaged rainfall in the 2024–25 financial year across northern Australia as a whole (north of 26°S, the South Australia and Northern Territory border) was 21% above the 1961–1990 average.
Rainfall was above to very much above average (wettest 10% of all financial years since 1900–01) for:
- inland northern New South Wales and coastal areas north of Sydney
- most of Queensland
- pockets of northern South Australia
- large parts of the Northern Territory
- northern and inland areas of Western Australia
Rainfall was the highest on record for some coastal areas of the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, and Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts in Queensland.
Parts of northern Australia experienced unseasonable rain in September 2024. Much of the north-west of Western Australia had its wettest September on record, and for the Northern Territory as a whole it was the seventh-wettest September on record.
The Australian northern wet season (October 2024 to April 2025) area-averaged rainfall was 21% above the 1961–1990 average. Northern wet season rainfall was above average for:
- most of Queensland
- much of northern Western Australia
- scattered areas of the Northern Territory
In November and December 2024, large parts of northern Australia had above average rainfall, due to a series of low pressure troughs and tropical lows. In contrast, in January 2025 much of northern Australia had below average rainfall as the arrival of the monsoon was delayed.
Queensland experienced persistent and heavy rainfall from February to April 2025, and some areas had their highest on record monthly rainfall. This was due to several tropical lows and low pressure troughs passing across the state, and Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which brought heavy rainfall and widespread and significant flooding to large parts of south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales.
Unseasonable rainfall in May 2025 led to above average monthly totals in Western Australia, Northern Territory and parts of Queensland, while in contrast, June rainfall was below average across much of northern Australia.
State of the Climate 2024 reported that northern Australia has been wetter than average over the last 30 years across all seasons, especially in the north-west during the northern wet season. Since 1994, wet season rainfall in northern Australia has been 20% above the 1900–1993 average.
for the 2024–25 financial year, relative to all years since 1900.
for the 2024–25 financial year, relative to all years since 1900.
for the 2024–25 financial year.
Southern Australia
Area-averaged rainfall in the 2024–25 financial year across southern Australia as a whole (south of 26°S, the South Australia and Northern Territory border) was 5% below the 1961–1990 average.
Rainfall was below to very much below average (driest 10% of all financial years since 1900–01) for:
- southern and north-western areas of New South Wales
- most of Victoria
- southern and western coastal areas of Western Australia
- agricultural regions of South Australia
- much of Tasmania
Rainfall was lowest on record for:
- parts of Victoria's Mallee and Wimmera districts
- parts of South Australia's agricultural regions
Rainfall was above average in southern Queensland and along the northern New South Wales coast. This was largely due to heavy rainfall between March and May 2025, including from tropical cyclone Alfred.
Throughout the 2024–25 financial year, rainfall patterns across much of southern Australia were generally influenced by frequent slow-moving high pressure systems located to the south of the mainland. This restricted the number of rain-bearing systems crossing southern parts of the country. Serious to severe rainfall deficiencies (totals in the lowest 10% or 5% of financial years since 1900–01) developed for agricultural regions of South Australia, western, central and southern areas of Victoria and western and southern coastal areas of Tasmania.
State of the Climate 2024 reported a decline in cool season (April to October) rainfall over the south-west and south-east of Australia in recent decades, with more frequent periods of below-average rainfall in these areas in these months. Cool season rainfall across south-eastern Australia since 1994 has been 9% below the 1900–1993 average.
Area-average rainfall
| Rank (of 125) |
Average (mm) |
Departure from mean |
Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 99 | 514.6 | +10% | |
| Queensland | 108 | 788.0 | +27% | |
| New South Wales | 81 | 545.6 | −2% | |
| Victoria | 12 | 498.7 | −25% | |
| Tasmania | 27 | 1201.6 | −12% | |
| South Australia | 41 | 178.3 | −20% | |
| Western Australia | 98 | 404.1 | +18% | |
| Northern Territory | 81 | 567.8 | +4% | |
| Murray-Darling Basin | 65 | 455.0 | −8% |
Water
There was a notable contrast in soil moisture conditions between northern and southern regions of Australia. Much of northern Australia saw high moisture levels, driven largely by major tropical activity that brought substantial rainfall. In contrast, over southern Australia soil moisture was generally below average, due to severe rainfall deficiencies that have persisted over the past two years.
Above average soil moisture in the north and below average in the south
In the 2024–25 financial year, soil moisture in the root zone (top 100 cm) was above average for much of northern Australia. It was very much above average (in the highest 10% of all financial years since 1911–12) in:
- large parts of Queensland
- coastal north-east New South Wales
- scattered areas of the Top End of the Northern Territory
- northern Western Australia.
These conditions were largely due to tropical activity, including tropical cyclone Zelia, and a series of low-pressure troughs, which brought persistent rainfall to the Pilbara region and to north-eastern and central Queensland during the wet season (October 2024 to April 2025). High soil moisture in south-eastern Queensland was mainly driven by heavy rainfall between February and April 2025. A slow-moving low-pressure system off the New South Wales mid-north coast in mid-May, as well as Queensland's third-wettest March on record since 1900, further contributed to the above average soil moisture in the region.
In contrast, soil moisture was below to very much below average (in the lowest 10% of all financial years since 1911–12) across:
- large parts of the south-east and south-west of Western Australia
- southern parts of South Australia
- western and central Victoria
- much of Tasmania
- southern New South Wales.
This was due to very much below average rainfall (in the lowest 10% of all financial years since 1900–01) over southern Australia, resulting in widespread areas experiencing severe to serious rainfall deficiencies (rainfall totals in the lowest 5% to 10% of financial years, respectively, since 1900–01).
July to December 2024
At the start of the 2024–25 financial year, root zone soil moisture was very much above average in scattered areas of inland Australia. From July to December, northern Australia experienced wetter-than-average conditions, including the eighth-wettest September on record. In contrast, southern Australia experienced drier-than-average conditions in August and September, followed by wetter-than-average conditions between October and December. Consequently, by the end of December, soil moisture increased across much of the country, while scattered pockets of very much below average soil moisture remained across southern parts of the mainland.
January to June 2025
Rainfall in January 2025 was below average across the country, with northern Australia experiencing its driest January since 1994. As a result, root zone soil moisture for January was below to very much below average across inland northern Australia, most parts of South Australia, western parts of New South Wales, and western, central and southern Victoria. Heavy monsoonal rainfall from February to May helped recover soil moisture across northern and central Australia. However, soil moisture remained below average throughout and at the end of the financial year across southern parts of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. This was largely due to severe rainfall deficiencies and drier-than-average conditions that have persisted in these regions since April 2023.
Intense rainfall and major flooding across much of Queensland and the mid-coast of New South Wales led to high streamflow levels in those areas. In contrast, parts of South Australia, Tasmania, and western and central Victoria saw notably low streamflow levels, with some locations recording well below average levels.
Below average streamflow in the south-east and above average along the Queensland and northern New South Wales coast
In the 2024–25 financial year, streamflow was mostly average (based on records since 1975) across:
- the Murray–Darling Basin
- parts of south-eastern New South Wales
- south-eastern Victoria and much of Tasmania
- Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
In contrast, streamflow was below to very much below average (in the lowest 10% of records since 1975) across:
- south-eastern South Australia
- western and central Victoria
- some sites in western and northern Tasmania
- some sites in the south-west of Western Australia.
These areas generally experienced below average rainfall in the 2024–25 financial year, with lowest rainfall on record for western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia.
Above to very much above average streamflow (in the highest 10% of records since 1975) was observed in:
- coastal far north Queensland
- along inland Queensland rivers draining to Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre
- along the coast of southern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales.
These elevated flows were due to the impact of intense rainfall and flooding in February and March 2025.
Highest-on-record streamflow was observed at 3% of the 940 sites where streamflow was measured and analysed. Analysis was performed with stations where more than 80% of daily records were available during 2024–25. Approximately 30% of sites, mostly in Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, recorded higher than average streamflow. In contrast, around 32% of sites, mostly in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania experienced lower than average streamflow.
| Streamflow decile category | No of sites | Percentage of sites (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Highest on record | 29 | 3 |
| Very much above average | 96 | 10 |
| Above average | 151 | 16 |
| Average | 362 | 39 |
| Below average | 208 | 22 |
| Very much below average | 78 | 8 |
| Lowest on record | 15 | 2 |
Australia's surface water storage levels declined overall, largely due to ongoing dry conditions across the south. Heavy rainfall in March 2025 increased water levels in Wivenhoe and the Menindee Lakes. Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth storages finished the 2024–25 financial year below 80% capacity, reflecting prolonged dry conditions.
Surface water volume continued to decline except in New South Wales and South East Queensland
Overall, total surface water storage volume across Australia decreased from 74% at the start, to 65% of accessible capacity by the end of the 2024–25 financial year. This was mainly due to dry conditions across much of southern Australia.
Murray–Darling Basin
The water volume in major storages in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) continued to decline in 2024–25, following the downward trend since late 2022. Collectively, major storages across the MDB ended the 2024–25 financial year with a total volume of 61% of accessible capacity. This is down from 78% at July 2024 and 93% at July 2023. Compared to the 2023–24 financial year, water volume in major storages decreased in the northern MDB from 67% to 63%, and in the southern MDB from 80% to 60%.
Menindee Lakes
Much of the heavy rain in March 2025 in western Queensland fell in the Channel Country, and slowly flowed towards Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre in the following months. However, some of it also fell in the northern MDB catchments and flowed down the Paroo and Darling rivers. At the start of the 2024–25 financial year, the Menindee Lakes were at 57% accessible capacity, dropping to 20% by late April 2025. Accessible capacity increased to 71% by the end of 2024–25 with the arrival of floodwaters from the Paroo and Darling rivers.
South East and Central Queensland
By the end of the 2024–25 financial year, water levels in most storages across South East and central Queensland exceeded 80% of accessible capacity. Strong inflows occurred throughout December 2024 due to above-average monthly rainfall, and again in early March 2025 following Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Wivenhoe, the largest storage in South East Queensland, began the financial year at 80% of accessible capacity, declined to around 77% by late November 2024, then increased to 93% by mid-March 2025, before ending the 2024–25 financial year at 89%. This replenishment of storages was not observed in central Queensland. The Nogoa Mackenzie rural supply system in central Queensland communities finished the financial year at just 23% of accessible capacity, a decrease of 14% from the same time last year. Despite heavy rainfall and widespread flooding associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred, water levels in this rural system remained low, with only minimal increases (less than 5%) between late February and early April 2025.
Northern Australia
In northern Australia, above to very much above average rainfall in late 2024 and early 2025, resulted in high soil moisture and significant inflows to Lake Argyle, the country's largest water supply storage. At the start of the 2024–25 financial year, storage volume was at 116% of accessible capacity, then declined to 96% in mid-January 2025. From February to April 2025, above average rainfall across northern Australia, associated with monsoonal activity, helped produce some inflows to water storages. By the end of April 2025, storage volume in Lake Argyle reached 103% of accessible capacity, before gradually declining to 98% by the end of the 2024–25 financial year.
Capital cities
In major capital cities, water availability is influenced by levels in surface water storages and groundwater. Where storage volumes are not adequate, water is added through alternative sources such as desalination or recycled water schemes. Surface water storages that supply the major capital cities finished the financial year with volumes greater than 80% of accessible capacity, with the exceptions of Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Water volume in storages deceased across most cities over the financial year, except for Brisbane, Darwin and Hobart, due to below average rainfall across most southern regions in 2024–25.
Adelaide received very much below average rainfall, which resulted in a decrease in its storage volumes from 44% to 38% of accessible capacity. Adelaide's water supply is augmented by alternative sources, mostly water transfers from the River Murray, with some supply from desalinated water and groundwater.
Perth's surface water storages ended the 2024–25 financial year at 37% of accessible capacity, unchanged over the 12-month period. Perth's water supply relies more heavily on desalinated water and groundwater than surface water. The city's water supply strategy involves 'banking' desalinated and groundwater water in its surface water storages during low demand periods to support supply requirements during peak periods.
Rainfall around Melbourne was very much below average across 2024–25. Subsequently, storage volumes declined from 87% at the start of the financial year to 72% of accessible capacity by the end.
Groundwater levels varied widely across Australia. The northern Murray–Darling Basin, south-eastern Queensland, the Top End, and Tasmania experienced groundwater recovery, driven by widespread rainfall and flooding and improved surface water availability. In contrast, groundwater levels continued to decline across south-eastern South Australia, southern and western Victoria, and the south-west of Western Australia.
Recovery in the east but continuing declines across the south
Groundwater levels across Australia varied widely in the 2024–25 financial year, with 36% of bores below average, 31% at average levels and 34% above average. Compared to 2023–24, there was no change in the number of bores classified as above average, a 5% decrease in those at average levels and a 5% increase in those classified as below average.
Long-term groundwater trends in 2024–25, calculated over 5-, 10- and 20-year periods, were broadly similar to those observed in 2023–24. Over the 5-year period to June 2025, 38% of bores showed a rising trend (4% decrease from 2023–24), reflecting the effects of four years (2020–23) of high rainfall and flooding, particularly in northern regions. While only 17% of bores showed a declining 5-year trend (6% higher than 2023–24), reflecting the effect of low rainfall and dry conditions in southern Australia during the financial year. Over the 10- and 20-year periods to June 2025, the majority of bores were stable (62% and 74%, respectively), similar to those observed in June 2024.
Data are from 9143 bores where groundwater level is measured.
| Trend category | 5-year trend | 10-year trend | 20-year trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising | 38% | 23% | 16% |
| Stable | 44% | 62% | 74% |
| Declining | 17% | 14% | 10% |
Murray–Darling Basin and the Victoria–South Australia border region
In the northern Murray–Darling Basin and south-eastern Queensland, groundwater levels continued to recover, particularly following heavy rainfall and flooding in March and April 2025 driven by periods of intense rainfall and increased surface water availability. In contrast, groundwater levels in many bores along the Victoria–South Australia border and south-eastern South Australia remained at average to below-average levels, reflecting the combined impacts of severe rainfall deficiency in recent years and the long-term consequences of groundwater extraction.
South-west Western Australia
Groundwater levels in south-west Western Australia have been generally declining over the past 41 years due to low rainfall and high groundwater demands. Some signs of stabilisation, however, were observed only around 2015, as a result of implementation of managed aquifer recharge strategy and increased use of desalinated water. Rainfall was below to very much below average across south-west Australia during most of the 2024–25 financial year, resulting in low recharge to surficial aquifers of the Gnangara Mound. This is a reversal from the previous three years when higher winter rainfall resulted in higher groundwater recharge and a decrease in groundwater use.
Top End of the Northern Territory
In the Top End of the Northern Territory, where groundwater recharge is reliant on wet season rainfall and streamflow, groundwater levels showed some improvements since 2021. However, 52% of groundwater bores in the Northern Territory recorded below average levels in 2024–25, up from 36% in 2023–24. This was driven by increased groundwater extraction, particularly in the Katherine and Mataranka regions, and the driest January since 1994 for the Northern Territory. In contrast, bores in north-eastern Queensland saw a rise in groundwater levels due to high rainfall and flooding along the north tropical coast and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Tasmania
In Tasmania, above average rainfall during August, September and December 2024 helped recover groundwater levels, with 21% of bores recording below average levels, an improvement from 38% in 2023–24. However, below average rainfall over the remainder of the first half of 2025, including the driest March since 2005, contributed to a decrease in bores recording above average levels, from 31% in 2023–24 to 21% in 2024–25.
Oceans and atmosphere
Warmest on record sea surface temperatures for the Australian region, and second-warmest on record globally. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) was neutral at the start of the 2024–25 financial year and approached La Niña-like conditions towards the end of 2024 and into early 2025. The Indian Ocean Dipole remained in a neutral state throughout the financial year.
Australian region sea surface temperatures
(From the NOAA Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature dataset, ERSST v5). About sea surface temperature regions and deciles.
Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) for the 2024–25 financial year in the Australian region (4° S to 46° S and 94° E to 174° E) were the warmest on record since 1900–01, 0.94 °C above the 1961–1990 average.
SSTs were very much warmer than average (in the highest 10% of historical records since 1900–01) around nearly all of Australia during the 2024–25 financial year, and warmest on record for a large area of the Southern Region, as well as the Tasman Sea, and much of the Northern Tropics regions.
Monthly SSTs for the region during the 2024–25 financial year were mostly above average compared to the distribution of years since 1900–01. A significant part of the region was very much above average, falling in the highest 10% of historical observations since 1900–01.
Monthly SSTs were the highest on record for some areas at times during the year, including:
- areas off south-eastern Australia during July and August
- areas of the Western Australian coastline during September, December, January and March
- parts of the Great Australian Bight in each month from December to March
- areas of the Coral Sea from October to May
- and much of the northern tropics during January in particular, but also from February to May.
Area-averaged monthly SSTs for the Australian region were the warmest on record for the months of October to February, and the second warmest on record for all other months.
Annual average SSTs in the Australian region have warmed by 1.13 ± 0.11 °C between 1900 and 2024, a rate close to that of the global average. Average annual SSTs have been above the 1961–1990 average for the Australian region every year since the 1994–95 financial year, while the top 10 warmest years on record have all occurred since 2010–11.
The black line shows the 11-year moving average. The value for the 11-year average is positioned over the middle year of each 11-year block.
Global sea surface temperatures
In the 2024–25 financial year, global SSTs (from 60° S to 60° N) were the second warmest on record. The financial year global SST was 0.74 °C above the 1961–1990 average in the ERSST v5 dataset. The warmest financial year on record in ERSSTv5 was 2023–24 (+0.84 °C), with 2015–16 (+0.65 °C) third highest. Global SSTs for the past 10 years have been the 10 warmest on record.
From July to December 2024, monthly SSTs were the second warmest on record for their respective months, second only to 2023. Similarly, from January to May 2025, monthly SSTs were the second warmest on record for their respective months, second only to 2024.
2024–25 financial year SSTs were above to very much above average across most of the global oceans and were below average only around Cape Horn in South America and the Ross Sea near Antarctica.
(From the NOAA Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature dataset, ERSST v5). About sea surface temperature regions and deciles.
Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean SSTs during the 2024–25 financial year were mostly very much above average (warmest 10% of all financial years since 1900-01). This included regions along the north-west coast of Australia that were warmest on record.
For the majority of the 2024–25 financial year, the Indian Ocean was warmer than average. However, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) remained neutral, with no anomalous temperature gradient forming across tropics in the basin. In September, cooler than average SSTs emerged off the Horn of Africa, and warm anomalies off the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra. These strengthened in October, resulting in a drop in the weekly IOD index below the negative IOD threshold (–0.4 °C). The IOD index remained below this threshold for 7 consecutive weeks during October and early November, although this was not long enough to be considered a negative IOD event. IOD index values returned to neutral in early December as SST anomalies in both the western and eastern Indian Ocean weakened.
November monthly average SSTs for the Northwest Australian Region were the second-warmest on record, 0.84 °C above the 1991–2020 average. December and January 2025 were also very warm for the Northwest Australian Region, with monthly SSTs the warmest and equal-warmest for the region respectively, while March was third warmest on record. Waters were exceptionally warm close to the coast, with weekly SSTs between 2 and 4 °C above average persisting there until late April 2025.
The negative IOD-like conditions in spring 2024 were not strong enough to influence rainfall and temperature patterns across Australia as a whole. However, it is likely that the exceptionally warm waters off the north-west coast contributed to the above average rainfall in the north-west of the country experienced between September and December. The unusually warm waters likely also contributed to increased tropical activity in the region. In the 2024-25 season, 11 of the 12 tropical cyclones in the Australian region formed in the tropical Indian Ocean.
Pacific Ocean
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) was neutral at the start of the 2024–25 financial year, with the central to eastern tropical Pacific SSTs close to the 1991–2020 average. The central tropical Pacific cooled from September, at the surface and sub-surface, approaching La Niña-like temperatures towards the end of 2024 and into early 2025. Values of the Niño3.4 SST anomaly were lowest in January 2025, before warming to a neutral state in autumn. The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), an atmospheric component of the ENSO, showed no coherent signal. However, the Equatorial Southern Oscillation Index, which considers pressure differences over broader regions of the western and central Pacific, reflected La Niña-like values, especially from November 2024 to March 2025. This period also aligned with La Niña-like trade wind and cloudiness patterns.
Warmer than average waters remained in the western Pacific for most of the year, reaching up to 2 °C above average near the equator in August and September, and again during the months from January to June. All months in the 2024–25 financial year saw some part of the western Pacific recording highest on record SSTs, with December to March 2025 having the most widespread anomalous heat.
Across southern Australia, the dominant weather pattern throughout the 2024–25 financial year was slow-moving high-pressure systems. Across northern Australia, the Madden–Julian Oscillation and the monsoon trough contributed to tropical activity between February and April 2025. However, the monsoon onset at Darwin was the latest on record, occurring on 7 February 2025.
Atmospheric circulation
Australian region
Monthly-averaged mean sea level pressure (MSLP) anomalies were positive for most months across the Australian region during the 2024–25 financial year. The strongest anomalies were in September 2024 and May 2025, exceeding +5 hPa and +4 hPa respectively across parts of southern Australia. The dominance of high pressure across the continent resulted in fewer rain-bearing fronts reaching southern Australia. This led to below average rainfall for most months and above average temperatures.
- In July 2024, many sites in Tasmania and Victoria recorded their highest MSLP on record on 4 July, as anomalously high pressure extended over Tasmania and southern Victoria.
- August 2024 was the country's warmest August on record as persistent high pressure extended over eastern Australia directing anomalously warm air across much of the continent.
- During May 2025 a blocking high pressure system over southern Australia resulted in increased onshore flow and heavy rainfall for New South Wales during May.
- In May and June 2025, there were unseasonably warm daytime temperatures across the south-east, but the clear skies and dry conditions resulted in below average night-time temperatures.
Southern Annular Mode
The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) is the north-south movement of weather systems across the Southern Ocean, compared to the usual seasonal position.
The SAM daily index was positive (greater than 1.0, a southward shift of weather systems) for much of the 2024–25 financial year, including:
- much of July, September and November 2024
- most of the period between March and early June 2025.
The SAM daily index was negative (less than −1.0, a northward shift of weather systems), at times during the 2024–25 financial year, including:
- from late July to mid-August 2024, with daily index values in early August the lowest (most negative) since October 2019
- at times between December 2024 and February 2025.
The impact of SAM on southern Australian climate depends on the time of year and if other climate factors are active at the time. During the 2024–25 financial year, it is likely SAM affected southern Australian at several times.
- In late August 2024, a negative phase of SAM was consistent with a high pressure further north than usual allowing the build-up of unseasonable warmth, along with a succession of strong fronts crossing Tasmania
- Over December 2024 to February 2025, a negative phase of SAM may have decreased onshore easterly flow over south-eastern Australia, reducing the amount of rain.
- In May 2025, the widespread below average rainfall across southern Australia, and the above average rainfall along the east coast, is consistent with the response to a positive phase of SAM leading into the winter months.
Global warming
A shift of high-pressure systems further southwards is consistent with the response of the atmosphere to a globally warmer climate. State of the Climate 2024 reported that there has a trend towards higher surface atmospheric pressure over southern Australia. Other things being equal, this means SAM is most likely to have positive phase. With this, there have been more highs, fewer lows and a reduction in the number of rain producing lows and cold fronts.
This change in weather patterns is particularly important during the cool season (April to October), which has seen a decline in southern Australian rainfall in recent decades. The drier than average conditions across southern Australia in the 2024–25 financial year are consistent with long-term changes in atmospheric circulation.
Madden–Julian Oscillation
The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) strengthened and moved through the Australian region in mid to late October. From late November to mid-December, there was a particularly active pulse over the Australian longitudes, which likely contributed to increased tropical activity and above average rainfall over large parts of northern Australia. The associated winds also reinvigorated the weak La Niña signal in the tropical Pacific. However, this pulse was not strong enough to trigger the onset of the Australian monsoon. The MJO returned to the Australian region in late January to early February, preceding the onset of the monsoon at Darwin. There was another weak pulse of the MJO in the Australia region in mid-March, likely contributing to heavy rainfall at this time.
Monsoon
Monsoon onset was observed at Darwin on 7 February 2025, the latest onset since records began in the 1957–58 wet season, surpassing the previous latest onset date of 25 January (during the 1972–73 wet season). While the monsoon was late to arrive in Darwin, the monsoon trough was established over Queensland from the end of January and briefly in northern Western Australia.
There was a particularly active period of the monsoon from around mid-March until early April, contributing to above average rainfall for much of northern Australia during these months. Mid-to-late April and early May saw further tropical activity affecting the Top End and far northern Australia, although these were not part of the monsoon trough.
Notable events
From 2 to 6 July, a large stationary high-pressure system located in the Great Australian Bight directed a cold southerly airmass across much of the country, with minimum temperatures up to 6.0 °C below average. On the 4th, 5th and 6th, several sites across Tasmania recorded their lowest daily minimum temperature on record for July. Liawenee, in the Central Highlands, had four consecutive nights below -10 °C from 2 to 5 July. The coldest night was on the 4th, with -13.5 °C, the second-coldest temperature ever recorded in Tasmania. On the 4th, many sites across Tasmania and Victoria had their highest mean sea level pressure (MSLP) on record with observations between 1040 hPa and 1043 hPa. The highest observed MSLP was 1043.9 hPa at Ouse, in southern Tasmania, just below the highest MSLP reliably observed in Australia, of 1044.3 hPa at Launceston Airport on 7 June 1967.
On 12 July, a low pressure system developed off the New South Wales coast and travelled south towards the east coast of Tasmania. This brought several days of strong to damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall and below average temperatures across Victoria and Tasmania. 3-day rainfall totals of 50 to 100 mm were recorded across Victoria's Central and East Gippsland districts and southern and eastern parts of Tasmania, with higher falls of 100 to 150 mm in southern areas of Tasmania between the 15th and the 17th. Heavy rainfall led to minor and moderate flood warnings across rivers in the Central, and West and South Gippsland districts in Victoria, and minor flooding warnings for parts of the St Pauls and Huon Rivers in Tasmania.
From 18 to 20 July, a deep low pressure system in the Tasman Sea and a high pressure system over southern and central Australia directed a cooler southerly airflow well into northern Australia. During this period, minimum temperature anomalies were generally 2 to 6 °C below average across large parts of northern Australia, and with some areas 10 to 12 °C below average. Many sites across northern Queensland and several sites across the Top End of the Northern Territory observed their lowest July or daily annual minimum temperature on record, including:
- Winton (Queensland), with -0.6 °C on the 18th (annual record, 22 years of data).
- Daly Waters (Northern Territory), with 0.8 °C on the 20th (annual record, 55 years of data).
At the end of July, a low pressure system in the Tasman Sea directed strong south to south-westerly winds along coastal areas of New South Wales generating large and powerful waves. Wave heights along the central New South Wales coastline exceeded 5 m, including a significant wave height of 5.70 m recorded at the Crowdy Head wave buoy on the 30th.
At the start of August, a cloud band associated with a surface trough brought unseasonal rainfall to north-west and inland areas of Western Australia. The average August rainfall for this region is 10 mm or less, however daily rainfall totals of 5 to 25 mm were recorded in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 3rd. Several sites across northern and inland parts of Western Australia had their highest August daily rainfall on record on the 3rd including Carnegie, which recorded 35.0 mm (69 years of data).
In mid-August, an upper-level low pressure system combined with moist onshore flow generated widespread rainfall across large parts of Queensland and northern New South Wales. Widespread rainfall over a 4-day period (12th to the 15th) ranged from 50 to 100 mm across coastal and adjacent inland areas of central and southern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, with higher falls of 100 to 150 mm in isolated areas. Many sites had their highest August daily rainfall total on record, including 157.4 mm at Evans Head Bombing Range AWS (New South Wales) in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 12th and 176.6 mm at Samuel Hill Aero (Queensland) in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 14th. Heavy rainfall led to minor flood warnings being issued through the Capricornia and Wide Bay and Burnett districts of Queensland and the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales.
On 15 and 16 August, a cold front and associated low pressure system crossed South Australia, generating widespread showers across south-eastern parts of the state along with isolated thunderstorms and strong winds. Severe thunderstorms impacted the Eyre Peninsula with reports of large hail of 2 to 4 cm in diameter at Arno Bay.
Between 22 and 31 August an unseasonably warm air mass was located over most of the country, with daytime temperatures more than 4 °C above average. A slow-moving high pressure system over central and eastern Australia allowed for the build-up of heat across the country. Many sites across South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Queensland recorded their warmest August and winter maximum temperature on record. On the 26th, Yampi Sound in Western Australia observed 41.6 °C, the highest August and winter maximum temperature recorded in Australia, exceeding the previous record of 41.2 °C at West Roebuck (Western Australia) on 23 August 2020. Bidyadanga in Western Australia recorded a minimum temperature of 28.5 °C on the 27th, the highest August and winter minimum temperature recorded in Australia, exceeding the previous record of 27.5 °C at Cadjebut (Western Australia) on 26 August 1998. August and winter state or Territory maximum temperature records were also set for:
- the Northern Territory with 40.0 °C at Bradshaw (Angallari Valley) on the 26th
- South Australia with 39.4 °C at Oodnadatta on the 24th, 2.9 °C above the previous record
- Queensland with 39.7 °C at both Birdsville Airport on the 30th, and Boulia Airport on the 31st.
A succession of cold fronts between 21 August and 10 September resulted in several weeks of rainfall across large parts of Tasmania, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in early September. A number of sites across western and northern Tasmania had their highest September monthly total rainfall on record.
The widespread steady rain resulted in high river levels in many catchments. Major flooding occurred along the Derwent River at Meadowbank Dam and the Meander River at Strathbridge and moderate flooding occurred along the South Esk River at Llewellyn.
Between 24 August and 2 September, cold fronts associated with a deep low-pressure moved slowly across south-eastern Australia. This brought damaging to locally destructive wind gusts for several days to South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and elevated areas of New South Wales. Notable observed wind gusts included:
- On 25 August, 100 km/h at Melbourne Airport and 150 km/h at Mount Buller in Victoria.
- On 28 August, 161 km/h at Hogan Island in Bass Strait, 156 km/h at Mount Read in Tasmania (equal annual record), and 154 km/h at Wilsons Promontory in Victoria.
- On 31 August, 187 km/h at Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse (August record), 161 km/h at Scotts Peak Dam (annual record) and 156 km/h at Luncheon Hill (annual record) and gusts over 100 km/h at many other Tasmanian sites.
- On 1 September, 157 km/h at King Island Airport (annual record) in Tasmania.
- On 2 September, 156 km/h at Hogan Island in Bass Strait, 141 km/h at Fawkner Beacon on Port Phillip Bay, with locally destructive wind gusts reported at many Melbourne metropolitan sites.
The strong winds also generated high seas during this period. Maximum wave heights of over 15 m were record off Cape Sorell in western Tasmania, and 8.4 m at Cape Bridgewater near Portland in south-western Victoria. There were reports that strong to locally destructive winds caused damage to properties, vegetation and power outages.
On 14 September, a cold front crossed Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales. A cold airmass behind the front combined with clear and settled conditions from a high pressure system located in the Great Australian Bight, lead to cold overnight temperatures. Minimum temperatures were 2 to 8 °C below average across south-eastern Australia from the 15th to the 17th and many sites recorded their coldest September night on record. On the 15th, Keith (Munkora) observed -4.6 °C (23 years of data), South Australia's lowest minimum temperature ever recorded in September. On the 16th, Canberra Airport recorded -6.9 °C (102 years of composite data) and on the 17th, Adelaide (West Terrace / ngayirdapira) recorded 1.3 °C (100 years of data), the lowest minimum temperature on record for September for both sites. There were reports that several nights of temperatures below 0°C across parts of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales caused widespread frost damage to crops.
On 17 and 18 September extensive cloud cover across northern Western Australia and areas of western Northern Territory led to daytime temperatures 2 to 10 °C below average. Many sites had their lowest September maximum temperature on record on the 17th including:
- 26.8 °C at Darwin Airport in the Northern Territory (84 years of data)
- 25.8 °C at Kununurra Aero in Western Australia (39 years of data).
In late September, a low pressure system that developed off the east coast generated widespread rainfall along the north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland coast. In the 48 hours to 9 am on 29 September, widespread falls of 25 to 50 mm were recorded along the northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland coasts and surrounding inland areas with higher falls of 50 to 100 mm in the Mid North and Northern Rivers districts. Several days of persistent rain along the New South Wales coast caused minor flooding in several catchments in north-eastern New South Wales. Strong to damaging winds and hazardous surf conditions were observed along the northern New South Wales coast, with reported significant wave heights of 4 m.
Low to severe intensity heatwave conditions persisted from late September to mid-October across parts of the Top End of the Northern Territory, northern Western Australia and areas of the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, including pockets of extreme heatwave conditions. Several sites had their highest daily maximum temperature for September including 40.4 °C at Jabiru Airport (Northern Territory) on the 29th (47 years of data).
In early October a strong cold front moved across southern Western Australia, bringing damaging winds, widespread rainfall and isolated thunderstorms. Wind gusts on the 2nd were greater than 60 km/h across a broad area of southern Western Australia. The south-west coast recorded 10 to 25 mm of rainfall, and a large area of inland Western Australia recorded 25 to 50 mm in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 3rd. Prenti Downs in inland Western Australia recorded 34.0 mm, the station's highest daily rainfall for October on record (50 years of data).
Throughout October, a series of low pressure troughs combined with a humid airmass triggered thunderstorm activity across Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales with the following reported impacts:
- On 9 October, giant 7 cm hail north of Injune (Queensland) and 6 cm hail around Kogan (Queensland), and intense rainfall with 69.0 mm in 30 minutes Mudgeeraba (Queensland), 74.0 mm in 1 hour at Kingscliff (New South Wales), and 77.0 mm in 1 hour at Proston (Queensland).
- On 28 October, giant hail (5 cm) in Yamba (Queensland) and around Maclean (New South Wales), and large hail (3 to 5 cm) at Clontarf, near Redcliffe (Queensland).
- On 31 October, more than 600,000 lightning strikes were recorded across southern and central Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, with hourly rainfall totals of 60 to 80 mm on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and giant hail (5 to 8 cm) at Uki (New South Wales).
On 16 October, a supercell thunderstorm impacted the town of Casterton in western Victoria, with 21.0 mm of rain within 30 minutes. A maximum daily wind gust of 87 km/h was recorded at Casterton, the second-highest on record for the station in October (19 years of data), and there were reports of large hail (4 cm in diameter) and large accumulations of small hail across the town.
On 17 and 18 October a cold front and low pressure system moved across South Australia and Victoria. Ahead of the cold front there were strong northerly winds and high temperatures. Mean maximum temperatures were 10 to 12 °C above average across much of South Australia. Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam Aerodrome) had its highest daily maximum temperature on record for October at 42.9 °C (27 years of data). Several sites across central and eastern South Australia recorded wind gusts over 100 km/h, including 113 km/h at Tarcoola Aero (October record, 26 years of data). On the 17th a severe thunderstorm brought heavy rainfall and flash flooding to Mintaro (South Australia) where 36.0 mm was recorded in one hour, while hail was observed in the vicinity of Whyalla (South Australia). On the 18th severe thunderstorms developed across the Melbourne metropolitan region and surrounding areas including Geelong. There were reports of flash flooding in Geelong, with 50 mm of rain falling within 45 minutes. In the 24 hours to 9 am on the 19th, southern, central and eastern parts of Victoria recorded 25 to 50 mm of rainfall.
On 1 November severe thunderstorms impacted south-eastern Queensland. A severe thunderstorm generated giant hail (6 to 7 cm in diameter) near Boonah (south-west of Brisbane) and large hail 3 to 4 cm in diameter around the Brisbane CBD. A confirmed gustnado, a non-supercell tornado, formed on the Brisbane River with reports of trees brought down near the river. There were reports of localised flash flooding, damage to property/cars due to hail, and loss of power to customers.
On 16 November a surface trough and a cold front moved across south-eastern Australia. Strong northerly winds and high temperatures ahead of this system, increased fire dangers across South Australia and Victoria, including Extreme Fire Dangers for north-western Victoria and southern South Australia and Catastrophic Fire Dangers for the eastern Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Several bushfires started across Victoria's west including one south of Ballarat.
Between 18 and 22 November a surface trough and low pressure system along the west coast of Western Australia generated unseasonable rainfall and isolated thunderstorms across most of the state. The highest daily rainfall totals occurred on the 20th and 21st, with 2-day rainfall totals to 9 am on the 21st between 10 to 50 mm across southern, western and inland areas of Western Australia and with an area of the Goldfields district and south-western parts of the state recording 50 to 100 mm. Many sites across western and southern parts of the state had their highest November daily rainfall on record in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 20th, including:
- Perenjori with 72.4 mm (100 years of data)
- Brunswick Junction with 56.8 mm (116 years of data).
In late November a slow-moving low pressure trough and associated cloudband extended from northern Australia towards south-eastern Australia. The moist tropical air from northern Australia resulted in unusually high humid conditions across Victoria, New South Wales and northern Tasmania for several days. On the 26th and 27th many stations in the region recorded 9 am and 3 pm dewpoint temperatures over 20 °C, among their highest dewpoint temperatures on record for November. The high humidity levels generated widespread morning fog across parts of Victoria and Tasmania.
On 30 November and 1 December there was widespread rainfall across most of eastern Australia as a slow-moving high pressure trough combined with a low pressure system. In the 48 hours to 9 am on 1 December, inland areas of northern New South Wales, parts of southern and central Queensland and scattered areas of northern Tasmania recorded 50 to 100 mm. Isolated areas of southern Queensland and north-eastern Tasmania received more than 200 mm. The highest daily rainfall total was 207.4 mm at Gray (Dalmayne Rd) in north-eastern Tasmania in the 24 hours to 9 am on 1st, the seventh-highest daily rainfall ever recorded in Tasmania in December. Minor and moderate flood warnings issued for catchments in southern and western Queensland, northern New South Wales, north-eastern Victoria and for central and north-eastern Tasmania, including along the North Esk River.
On 2 and 3 December widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms, some severe, impacted large areas of the Northern Territory and northern Queensland. More than 25 mm of rainfall was recorded in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 3rd across northern and central parts of the Northern Territory and north-eastern Queensland, with falls of 50 to 100 mm in a large area of western Northern Territory and Queensland's North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, and Peninsula districts. The highest daily rainfall totals were observed at West Waterhouse in the Northern Territory, where the station recorded 105.0 mm, the third-highest for the station (23 years of data) and 110.0 mm at Mt Sophia in Queensland (57 years of data).
Between 15 and 17 December low intensity heatwave conditions developed across south-eastern Australia as strong northerly winds ahead of a cold front dragged hot and humid air from northern Australia. On the 16th, maximum temperatures were more than 12 °C above average, and minimum temperatures on the 16th and 17th were 6 to 12 °C above average. The highest temperature recorded was 47.1 °C at Walpeup, Victoria. Several sites across south-eastern South Australia had their warmest December minimum temperature on record. Keith (Munkora) reported 28.3 °C on the 16th, its warmest minimum temperature on record for any month (23 years of data).
On 16 December hot temperatures and strong northerly winds resulted in elevated fire dangers across South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Dry lightning started a major bushfire in the Grampians National Park in western Victoria. The bushfire persisted for several weeks as hot temperatures and strong northerly winds frequently affected Victoria. On the 26th, Extreme Fire Danger Warnings were issued for most of Victoria with strong northerly winds ahead of a cold front, including a maximum daily wind gust of 81 km/h at the Grampians (Mount William) weather station. Emergency and Immediate evacuation Warnings were issued for Halls Gap and towns north (Pomonal to Ledcourt) and east (Moyston, Strathmore, Willaura) of Grampians National Park, and for south of Ararat (Maroona to Westmere). Conditions worsened again on 4 and 5 January 2025, as low intensity heatwave conditions and elevated fire dangers impacted much of Victoria. Cooler, wetter, conditions on the 6th allowed fire crews to contain the bushfire which had reportedly burnt through 76,000 hectares.
Throughout December, a series of troughs generated widespread rainfall and severe thunderstorms with isolated heavy rainfall across south-eastern and central parts of Queensland. Persistent and widespread rainfall on already saturated soils led to higher river and creek levels with riverine flooding across some catchments in southern and central Queensland, including minor to moderate flooding along the Mary River, the Burnett River, and the Logan River. Other reported impacts included:
- On 14 December, heavy rainfall impacted Brisbane and surrounding areas, causing widespread flash flooding across Greater Brisbane.
- On 16 December, widespread rainfall and thunderstorms impacted south-eastern and central areas of Queensland, with daily rainfall totals (to 9 am on the 17th) over 100 mm in some areas of the Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast districts.
- On 30 December, a severe thunderstorm bought 120 mm of rainfall within 2 hours at Kingaroy Airport and led to flash flooding around the town. In the 24 hours to 9 am on the 31st, Kingaroy Airport recorded 149.4 mm (December record, 24 years of data).
In late December, low to severe intensity heatwaves impacted much of Western Australia with severe conditions along parts of the west coast and adjacent inland areas. From the 21st to 23rd, daytime temperatures were 4 to 12 °C above average and fire dangers were High to Extreme for large parts of Western Australia. Several sites had their highest daily maximum temperature on record for December, including:
- Murchison, with 46.0 °C on the 22nd (35 years of data)
- Pearce RAAF with 44.7°C on the 23rd (65 years of data).
Several sites also had 2 or 3 consecutive days of maximum temperatures above 45 °C between 21st to 23rd, including Morawa, Mullewa and Murchison.
On 20 December, tropical low 06U developed along a low pressure trough that stretched across the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. 06U produced several days of persistent heavy rainfall across northern Queensland, with daily rainfall totals in the 72 hours to 9 am on the 22nd over 50 mm for large parts of northern Queensland and isolated falls greater than 200 mm in the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, and Capricornia districts. The tropical low crossed the northern Cape York Peninsula and on the 22nd moved into the Coral Sea, away from Australia.
On 22 December a weak tropical low (07U) developed in the Indian Ocean. 07U brought several days of heavy rainfall to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands as it passed close to them. In the 48 hours to 9 am on the 27th, the Airport weather station recorded 337.8 mm, nearly three times the average December rainfall of 117.8 mm (122 years of data).
In the first half of January, inland troughs combined with a humid airmass triggering outbreaks of isolated thunderstorms with hail, heavy rainfall and strong to damaging winds across southern Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Reported impacts included:
- On 8 January, large hail (3 to 4 cm in diameter) from a supercell storm north-east of St Geroge in Queensland.
- On 9 January, 62.0 mm of rainfall was recorded in 30 minutes at Jordan near Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
- On 10 January, 35.8 mm was recorded in 30 minutes at Glen Innes Airport in New South Wales and hail 4 to 5 cm in diameter was observed north of Goondiwindi in Queensland.
- On 12 January, Melbourne (Olympic Park) recorded 26.4 mm of rainfall within 30 minutes, with flash flooding across the Melbourne Central Business District.
- On 14 January, giant hail up to 10 cm in diameter was reported near Applethorpe and Stanthorpe in Queensland.
- On 16 January, giant hail around 11 to 12 cm in diameter was reported south of Grafton in New South Wales.
Between 9 and 14 January large parts of Queensland had low to severe intensity heatwave conditions, reaching extreme intensity across northern and central areas of the state. Maximum temperatures were above 40 °C across inland parts of the state and many sites had temperatures above 45 °C, including 46.4 °C at Urandangi Aerodrome on the 11th and 46.0 °C at Birdsville Airport on the 14th.
On 17 January a low pressure system and associated trough developed off the northern coastline of New South Wales. This brought heavy rainfall, damaging winds and dangerous surf conditions as it remained offshore for several days before weakening. In the 48 hours to 9 am on 19 January, 10 to 25 mm of rainfall was recorded along coastal and adjacent inland areas of New South Wales, with falls between 50 to 100 mm in parts of the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and Hunter districts. Some sites had rainfall totals exceeding 200 mm in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 18th, including 281.0 mm at Careys Peak (Barrington Tops) inland on the Mid North Coast district. There were reports of flash flooding, and a moderate flood warning was issued for the Williams River. The system also brought wind gusts over 80 km/h on the 17th and 18th near coastal areas of the Sydney Metropolitan district. The strong south to south-easterly winds along the New South Wales coast generated large and powerful surf conditions.
On 17 January tropical low 11U formed in the Indian Ocean, off the west Kimberely coast in Western Australia. 11U reached Category 1 intensity (tropical cyclone (TC) Sean) on the 19th north of Karratha further strengthening to Category 4 (severe TC intensity) late on 20 January. Severe TC Sean travelled south-westward offshore along the Pilbara coast and weakened to a tropical low on the 23rd. Although severe TC Sean did not make landfall, it brought heavy rainfall to the Pilbara coastline with daily rainfall totals greater than 50 mm and with falls greater than 150 mm in an area surrounding Karratha in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 20th. Karratha Aero recorded 374.4 mm in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 20th, the highest annual daily rainfall on record for the station (54 years of data). Heavy rainfall led to flooding of the De Grey River Catchment and the west Kimberley Rivers. There was also several days of strong to damaging wind gusts along the Pilbara coastline and offshore islands. Maximum wind gusts on the 19th and 20th exceeded 100 km/h at several sites, including 113 km/h on the 19th at Barrow Island Airport, a January record for the site (23 years of data).
In late January Western Australia experienced low to severe intensity heatwave conditions, reaching extreme intensity at times along the west coast. On the 20th maximum temperatures were 10 to 12 °C above average across the west and south of Western Australia. Many sites recorded their highest January maximum temperature, including:
- Geraldton Airport with 49.3 °C (annual record, 84 years of composite data)
- Kalbarri with 48.3 °C (annual record, 54 years of data).
Minimum temperatures were also 2 to 10 °C above average for large parts of Western Australia between the 20th to 26th, and many sites across southern and inland parts of the state had their warmest January night on record, including:
- Donnybrook with 27.0 °C on the 22nd (118 years of data)
- Laverton Aero with 34.3 °C on the 25th (34 years of data).
On 23 January a severe thunderstorm impacted Marble Bar in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. A wind gust of 115 km/h was observed at Marble Bar from an associated microburst. There were reports of damage to properties.
On 25 January, a large dust storm was reported outside of Onslow, in the Pilbara district of Western Australia with swirling plumes of red dust rolling across the landscape.
Between 27 January and 12 February, two tropical lows (13U and 20U) and an active monsoon trough brought persistent and heavy to intense rainfall to northern Queensland. The rainfall was particularly intense along the coastal region from Ayr to Cairns, as the tropical lows increased the available moisture. The heaviest falls occurred between the 1st and the 3rd, with daily rainfall totals over 200 mm recorded across the Tropical North Coast and Tablelands, and the Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts. Paluma Ivy Cottage, in the upper Burdekin catchment reported consecutive days of rainfall totals greater than 700 mm with 721.5 mm (2nd) and 745.2 mm (3rd). This is the first known instance in Australia of 2 consecutive days of measured rainfall totals over 700 mm. Rainfall totals between 27 January and 12 February 2025 exceeded 800 mm between Ayr and Cairns, and over 1,200 mm along the coast from Townsville to north of Innisfail. For the 1 to 12 February period, the rainfall at some sites between Townsville and Ingham exceeded their previous record for any calendar month, most notably Paluma Ivy Cottage with 2,668.4 mm (54 years of data). The prolonged heavy rainfall led to widespread flash and riverine flooding in many catchments. There were major flood warnings issued for the Bohle, Ross, Haughton, Herbert, Upper Burdekin, Murray and South Johnstone Rivers. The Herbert River at Ingham Pump Station peaked on 3 February 2025 at major levels, within 0.30 m of the March 1967 record flood level. Flooding also extended across Central Coast, Inland and Gulf catchments. Major highways and roads were closed in both directions along the North Tropical Coast as the flash and riverine flooding inundated properties, businesses, agricultural lands and essential services.
Between 1 and 3 February low intensity heatwave conditions impacted large parts of the country, reaching severe intensity across large areas of Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. The nationally-averaged daily maximum temperatures on the 1st and 2nd were the highest (39.3 °C) and third-highest (38.8 °C) on record for February, respectively. Maximum temperatures were above 40 °C for large parts of the country, reaching above 45 °C across a large area of Western Australia. Many stations in Western Australia had their highest daily February maximum temperature on record on the 3rd, including 49.2 °C at Gascoyne Junction (annual record, 50 years of data). On the 3rd, maximum temperatures across most of Tasmania were 6 to 12 °C above average, and Cape Sorrell on the state’s east coast had an annual record high temperature of 33.5 °C (29 years of data).
On 3 February, multiple bushfires started by dry lightning in remote regions across Tasmania's west and central highlands, including in several national parks and wilderness areas. These fires would burn for up to two months, as most of the state experienced many days of high fire danger from strong hot northerly winds ahead of cold fronts. These conditions were exacerbated by long-term serious to severe rainfall deficiencies (rainfall in the lowest 5% or 10% of periods, respectively, since 1900) that had persisted across large parts of the state since early 2023. These fires burnt approximately 95,000 hectares of vegetation, including endemic vegetation.
On 8 February, tropical low 18U developed near the northern coast of Western Australia, strengthening while moving south-west parallel to the coast. 18U reached Category 1 strength (Tropical Cyclone (TC) Zeila) on the 12th and rapidly intensified to Category 5 (severe TC intensity) late on the 13th. At this time, Severe TC Zelia started to move south-south-east towards the Pilbara coastline. Severe TC Zeila made landfall at 12:30pm AWST on the 14th as a Category 4 system near De Grey River mouth around 50 km north-east of Port Hedland. Severe TC Zeila was downgraded to a tropical low on the 15th while continuing to track south over inland Pilbara and towards the interior of Western Australia. Severe TC Zeila brought several days of heavy rainfall as it approached the coast and after it made landfall. In the 4 days to 9 am on the 15th, the broader Pilbara district received over 50 mm of rainfall, with large areas recording over 200 mm and coastal areas greater than 500 mm. De Grey received 261.0 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 14th, an annual record (112 years of data). Pardoo Station received 555.4 mm of rainfall between the 12th and 15th, its highest 4-day total on record (114 years of data). There were reports of flash and riverine flooding, with major flooding of the De Grey River. At Marble Bar, the De Grey River peaked on the 15th well above its previous 1998 record.
On 10 February low pressure troughs over western New South Wales and near the southern and central coast brought widespread rainfall and isolated severe thunderstorms. A severe thunderstorm impacted the Sydney metropolitan area leading to reports of flash flooding, strong winds and hail. In the 24 hours to 9 am on the 11th, 15 to 100 mm of rainfall was recorded across the Sydney Metropolitan district with Horsely Park Equestrian Centre AWS recording 88.2 mm, with 79.6 mm falling within 1 hour.
Between 11 and 13 February low to severe intensity heatwave conditions impacted northern, central and south-eastern parts of the country. Maximum temperatures were 6 to 12 °C above average and minimum temperatures were 6 to 10 °C above average. On the 12th, several stations in central Australia set records for their highest February daytime temperature including 48.7 °C at Oodnadatta Airport in South Australia (77 years of data), also a state record for February. On the 13th, several sites had their highest February minimum temperature on record including 34.3 °C at Birdsville Airport in Queensland (25 years of data), the second-highest minimum temperature ever recorded for the state in February.
On 13 and 14 February, a cold front and associated low pressure trough moved through south-eastern Australia followed by a strong southerly airflow. This generated strong wind gusts, rainfall and below average temperatures in the following days. Minimum temperatures on the 16th and 17th were 6 to 10°C below average. On the 16th, several sites in alpine areas of Victoria and New South Wales had their coldest February minimum temperature on record, including:
- Mount Baw Baw (Victoria) with -1.4 °C (28 years of data)
- Mount Ginini AWS (Australia Capital Territory) with -3.1 °C (21 years of data).
There were also reports of a dusting of snow on elevated areas in Victoria and Tasmania.
On the evening of 19 February, a trough extending along southern parts of the Western Australian coastline triggered thunderstorms with strong wind gusts that moved across the Wheatbelt region. The strongest wind gust recorded was 91 km/h at Cunderdin Airfield (February record, 23 years of data). Strong wind gusts also impacted the Perth region, with wind gusts above 40 km/h. There were reports of a microburst around the Perth Hills area in Mount Helena leading to damage to of properties, uprooted trees and power outages.
On 23 February low to severe intensity heatwave conditions impacted Victoria on with minimum temperatures 6 to 10 °C above average and exceeding 20 °C across central and northern parts of the state. Some sites across metropolitan Melbourne had their warmest February minimum temperature on record, including:
- Moorabbin Airport with 26.7 °C (54 years of data)
- Viewbank with 26.0 °C (26 years of data).
On 21 February tropical low 22U formed in the Coral Sea off the Queensland coast. 22U reached Category 1 strength (TC Alfred) on the 23rd and reached its peak intensity as a Category 4 system (severe) on the 27th while well offshore of the Queensland coast. From 1 March, conditions became unfavourable for TC Alfred and it began to weaken. Between the 2nd and the 4th TC Alfred was steered to the south-east while fluctuating between Category 1 and Category 2 intensity. On the 4th, TC Alfred abruptly turned westwards and slowly tracked towards the south-east Queensland coast, stalling several times. TC Alfred weakened to Category 1 intensity as it approached the Moreton Bay islands before crossing Moreton Island at 1.00 am AEST on the 8th and weakened below tropical cyclone strength later that morning. TC Alfred weakened further below tropical cyclone strength by 6.00 am AEST on 8 March and remained slow moving near Bribie Island for much of the day. The system crossed Bribie Island, north of Brisbane, at 8.00 pm AEST and the mainland coast at 9.00 pm AEST. TC Alfred was the first TC to cross the south-east Queensland coast, within 100 km of Brisbane, since TC Zoe in March 1974.
TC Alfred brought heavy rainfall with subsequent flooding, damaging wind gusts, and large swells with severe coastal erosion. There was significant damage across south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, with widespread closure of business, schools and public transport. 5-day rainfall totals (6th to the 10th) were over 200 mm from an area extending from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to the Northern Tablelands and Mid-North Coast districts in New South Wales. Totals over 600 mm were recorded in New South Wales around Dorrigo, inland of Coffs Harbour, and in Queensland inland of the Gold Coast near the New South Wales border. The highest rainfall total during this period was 1111.0 mm at Upper Springbrook in Queensland. The most intense rainfall was recorded as the centre of the system crossed onto the mainland late on 8 March. Significant daily rainfall totals, to 9 am on 9 March, included:
- Brisbane with 275.2 mm, the highest daily total in the official city rain gauge since 26 January 1974, when 314.0 mm fell during the passage of cyclone Wanda.
- Hervey Bay Airport with 261.4 mm (annual record, 27 years of data), including 189.0 mm in the 2 hours from 4.50am to 6.50am.
- K'gari Eurong with 427.3 mm (annual record, 45 years of data).
Major riverine flooding in New South Wales occurred along the Richmond, Clarence and Bellinger Rivers. In Queensland, major riverine flooding occurred along the Lockyer, Laidley, Warrill and Bremer creeks, and the Logan and Albert rivers. Significant localised flash flooding was also reported.
In early March, low to severe intensity heatwave conditions impacted large parts of the country during early March with some isolated areas of extreme heatwave conditions in northern Australia. Between the 1st and the 5th, maximum and minimum temperatures were 6 to 12 °C above average for large parts of the country. Daytime temperatures were above 40 °C across large parts of the interior, northern and western parts of the mainland. The 1st was Australia's hottest March day on record since national observations started in 1910, with a nationally-averaged maximum temperature of 38.7 °C. Many sites had their hottest March temperature on record, including Giles Meteorological Office (Western Australia) with 44.6 °C on the 1st (69 years of data).
On 13 March, a low pressure system and associated low pressure trough over southern Western Australia brought widespread rainfall and isolated severe thunderstorms with areas of heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts. In the 24 hours to 9 am on the 14th, daily rainfall totals of 10 to 25 mm were recorded across Western Australia's south-west and southern interior and falls greater than 50 mm were recorded in the Southern Coastal and Goldfields districts. Many sites had their highest daily March rainfall or highest annual daily rainfall on record, including 126.4 mm at Albany Airport (annual record,149 years of composite data). Around Perth, severe thunderstorms generated daily rainfall totals of up to 20 mm and damaging wind gusts, with Gooseberry Hill east of Perth recording a daily wind gust of 113 km/h.
Between 13 and 19 March, northern Queensland had persistent heavy to intense rainfall with isolated severe thunderstorms, due to a combination of low pressure troughs and strong south-easterly trade winds. Weekly rainfall totals (13th to the 19th) exceeded 400 mm across the north-east coast and with falls greater than 500 mm in isolated coastal areas of the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, and Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts. Daily rainfall totals greater than 200 mm were recorded at many sites including:
- Euramo TM with 226.0 mm on the 15th (March record, 22 years of data)
- Mt Sophia with 255.0 mm on the 16th
- Townsville Aero with 301.4 mm on the 19th (3rd-highest daily rainfall for March, 86 years of data).
The rainfall led to minor to moderate flood warnings issued for catchments across northern and central coast areas of Queensland.
Between 22 and 31 March, widespread and persistent rainfall impacted much of Queensland, as tropical moisture was dragged towards the interior by a low pressure trough and associated low pressure system. Between 23 and 26 March, daily rainfall totals between 50 to 200 mm were recorded across much of western Queensland, before the system moved eastwards towards the coast. The most intense rainfall occurred south of Isisford on 26 March, with daily rainfall totals, to 9 am on 27 March, exceeding 200 mm. In the 4 days to 9 am on 27 March, parts of the Channel Country exceeded its annual average rainfall of 300 to 400 mm. The highest 4-day total in the area was 633.0 mm at Sunbury (annual average of 379.0 mm). Overall, it was the wettest March on record (since 1900) for much of south-western Queensland, with totals 5 to 8 times the monthly average. The exceptionally heavy rainfall resulted in minor to major flooding in many catchments in western Queensland, including the Channel Country. There was major to record breaking flooding along the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers, leading to Cooper Creek and Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre, and along the Bulloo and Paroo Rivers, leading into New South Wales. Based on available data, it is likely that river levels exceed the historical peaks of 1974 and 1955 at several locations, including Windorah (Cooper Creek), Stonehenge and Jundah (Thomson River), Thargomindah (Bullo), Eulo and Wanaaring (Paroo River). The rain and widespread flooding closed major outback highways, as well as many other access routes, isolating several towns and remote communities. There were reports of significant livestock losses.
On 27 March tropical low 28U developed off the north-west Kimberley coast of Western Australia. 28U reached Category 1 strength (Tropical Cyclone (TC) Dianne) on the 28th and started tracking southwards towards the coast. TC Dianne crossed the coast as a Category 2 system at 2:30 am AWST on the 29th close to the Koolan Islands north of Derby. The system rapidly weakened as it moved inland and was downgraded to a tropical low. TC Dianne brought widespread rainfall to the Kimberley district. In the 24 hours to 9 am on the 29th, daily rainfall totals greater than 50 mm were recorded around the north-west coast. The highest total was 153.2 mm at Derby Aero (second-highest on record for March, 72 years of data). This included 133 mm in the 6 hours from 3am to 9 am on the 29th.
On 30 March a deep low pressure trough developed off the New South Wales coast generating strong winds, showers and damaging surf. Around coastal areas of Sydney wind gusts exceeded 70 km/h, including 78 km/h recorded at Sydney Airport. The highest wind gust recorded was 111 km/h at Wattamolla AWS. Coastal Hazard Warning for damaging surf was issued due to southerly swells. There were reports of coastal erosion and storm surges inundating homes from the high tides combining with large and powerful waves, reaching 6 m off the coast of Eden and 5 m around Sydney's coast.
In early April, moisture from the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Diane interacted with an inland trough and brought widespread rainfall and isolated heavy falls across central and eastern parts of the country. In the 24 hours to 9 am on the 1st, daily rainfall totals between 15 and 50 mm were recorded across southern regions of the Northern Territory, with Alice Springs Airport AMO recording 50.8 mm (3rd-highest on record for April, 85 years of record). In the 2 days to 9 am on the 3rd, widespread falls of 25 to 50 mm were recorded across western and south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales.
On 4 and 6 April successive cold fronts crossed Tasmania, bringing widespread rainfall to western parts of the state. Daily rainfall totals, in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 5th and 7th, were greater than 15 mm, which was the highest daily rainfall at many sites since December 2024. The cold fronts were also associated with strong wind gusts, exceeding 100 km/h across elevated and coastal areas of southern Tasmania on the 6th. Snow was also reported on elevated areas of Tasmania on the 6th, from cooler airmasses behind the cold fronts.
On 9 April tropical low 29U formed in the Arafura Sea, tracking westwards and then to the south-west off the Australian coast while steadily developing. On the 15th 29U reached Category 1 strength (Tropical Cyclone (TC) Errol), before rapidly intensifying to Category 4 (severe TC intensity) within 24 hours. On the 17th, severe TC Errol began to move east-south-east towards the west Kimberley coast while rapidly weakening. The system was downgraded to a tropical low early on the 18th before crossing the coast at 5.00 pm AWST, south of Kuri Bay. There was widespread moderate to heavy rainfall to the northern parts of the Kimberley, with 25 to 100 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 19th. The highest total was 160.8 mm at Kalumburu (April record, 28 years of data).
On 21 and 22 April, a low pressure system off the New South Wales coast directed moist airflow towards the coast, resulting in rain, showers and isolated storms. New South Wales coastal areas and ranges and south-eastern Victoria, had two-day rainfall totals, to 9 am on the 23rd, generally between 30 and 60 mm, and locally over 100 mm. The highest two-day total of 185.2 mm was recorded at Combienbar AWS in Victoria. Moderate flood warnings were issued for the Cann and Genoa Rivers in the East Gippsland district of Victoria.
Between 25 and 27 April an upper-level low pressure system combined with a surface low pressure system generated rainfall and isolated thunderstorms for New South Wales, Victoria and south-eastern Queensland. The highest daily rainfall totals were in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 28th, as coastal and surrounding inland areas of the Hunter district recorded over 100 mm of rainfall, including 117.6 mm at Swansea (Catherine St) (April record, 39 years of data).
In early May a slow moving high pressure system in the Tasman Sea directed warm northerly winds towards south-eastern Australia. The northerly winds led to high fire danger ratings for regions across southern South Australia, western Victoria and southern Tasmania. Several sites had their highest May maximum temperature on record on the 6th, including Scoresby Research Institute in Victoria at 26.8 °C (59 years of data). Hobart (Ellerslie Road) had its warmest daily May minimum temperature on record on the 6th with 16.3 °C (139 years of data).
Over the first half of May large parts of Western Australia had above average temperatures as a large high pressure system centred over southern Australia directed warm air from central Australia towards the west coast. Between the 7th and the 12th maximum temperatures were 6 to 12 °C across large parts of the state. Many sites across the south-west and along the west coast had their warmest May maximum temperature on record on the 9th, including:
- Dwellingup with 30.6 °C (69 years of data)
- Geraldton Airport with 36.6 °C (119 years of composite data)
- Kalbarri with 36.8 °C (55 years of data).
Between 18 to 20 May, large areas of south-eastern Australia had consecutive mornings of minimum temperatures 4 to 10 °C below average. This was due to a cold air mass in the wake of a cold front that crossed the south-east and combined with clear skies and light winds from a slow moving high pressure system across the mainland. Sub-zero temperatures impacted large parts of Tasmania, Victoria and south-eastern South Australia leading to widespread frost. Many stations had set their lowest daily May minimum temperature on record, including:
- Wynard Airport in Tasmania with -3.3 °C on the 18th (41 years of data)
- Padthaway South in South Australia with -4.6 °C on the 19th (annual record, 26 years of data)
- Coldstream in Victoria with -5.5 °C on the 20th (31 years of data).
Between 19 and 23 May, a coastal trough and upper low combined with moist onshore winds to bring heavy rainfall to eastern New South Wales, particularly the northern regions of the Hunter, the Mid North Coast, and parts of the Northern Tablelands districts. 5-day rainfall totals (19th to 23rd) exceeded 400 mm across much of the Hunter and Mid North Coast districts. Some stations exceeded 600 mm for the period, including:
- Yarras (Mount Seaview) with 692.2 mm
- Taree Airport with 608.4 mm.
8 rain gauges in the Hunter and Mid North Coast districts had their highest daily rainfall on record on the 21st or 22nd. The highest daily rainfall total was 337.0 mm at Promised Land (Bellingen (Cystal Creek)) in the 24 hours to 9 am on the 22nd.
The rainfall led to flash and riverine flooding across the Hunter and Mid North Coast districts. The most significant flooding was along the Manning River, which at Taree reached major levels and likely (subject to quality control) exceeded the 1929 record level. Major flooding also occurred along the Hastings River, notably at Wauchope River Bridge, the Gloucester, Macleay, Paterson and Williams rivers and Wollombi Brook.
On 26 May a strong cold front moved across south-eastern Australia. Strong northerlies ahead of the cold front raised dust in areas of southern and south-eastern South Australia and western Victoria that have been in serious rainfall deficiency since April 2023. The dust cloud impacted a large area of south-eastern Australia extending from the Mid North district in South Australia towards the Mallee district of Victoria, reducing visibility and blanketing surfaces in red dust. By the 27th, the raised dust had travelled into southern and central coastal areas of New South Wales and a dust haze settled over the Illawarra and metropolitan Sydney reducing visibility and impacting air quality.
Between 26 and 29 May a surface trough and cloud band brought unseasonable rainfall across northern and central parts of the country. In the 2 days to 9 am on the 28th, 25 mm of rainfall was recorded across large parts of western and central Northern Territory and greater than 50 mm was recorded across the Kimberley district in Western Australia and pockets of the Northern Territory. Average May rainfall totals for these regions is generally less than 25 mm. The rainfall led to creek and river levels rising and flood watches were issued for northern and inland parts of Western Australia and the west and south-west Northern Territory. On the 27th, a middle level convergence line stretching between Daly Waters and Bathurst Island brought intense rainfall to areas around Katherine. Three sites record daily rainfall totals, to 9 am on the 28th, between 180 and 200 mm with most of it falling within 6 hours from midnight to 6 am on the 28th. These were among top 10 daily rainfall totals recorded in the Northern Territory in the dry season (May to September), and occurred in a region where the average May rainfall is less than 5 mm.
By the end of May, the year-to-date rainfall total at Townsville Aero was 2,507.8 mm. This exceeded the site's previous highest annual rainfall total of 2,399.8 mm in 2000 (83 years of data). It also exceeded the annual record for any site in Townsville, with records starting in 1871, of 2,482.6 mm in 1894 at Townsville Pilot Station. During February to May, parts of north-eastern Queensland had frequent heavy rainfall. Townsville Aero had its wettest February and March on record, and it was the first time consecutive monthly totals over 1,000 mm had been recorded in Townsville.
On 3 June, a slow moving low pressure trough crossed Western Australia bringing light to moderate rainfall with isolated thunderstorms and strong winds. In the 24 hours to 9 am on the 4th, 5 to 15 mm of rainfall was recorded in an area stretching from the South West to the Gascoyne districts and parts of the Goldfields district. There were isolated heavier falls greater than 25 mm, including 64.6 mm at Jarrahwood in the south-west. In the Great Southern district there were reports of large 3 to 4 cm hail at Wagin, and a cold season Tornado at Franklin River.
Between 6 and 10 June several cold fronts and a cut off low pressure system brought several days of showers, strong winds, below average temperatures and snow to alpine areas in south-eastern Australia. 4-day rainfall totals (7th to the 10th) were greater than 25 mm across south-eastern South Australia, southern and central areas of Victoria, southern parts of New South Wales and much of Tasmania, with several sites in south-west Victoria having record June daily rainfall. Across alpine areas in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, maximum and minimum temperatures were below zero for several days. 50 cm of snow was reported as falling across alpine areas in north-eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales.
Between 10 and 15 June a stationary low pressure system in the Tasman Sea directed a cooler southerly airflow inland and a high pressure system centred over the continent generated clear skies and light winds. These conditions resulted in minimum temperatures 2 to 8 °C across many inland areas. Night-time temperatures were particularly cold for inland areas of Queensland with single digit and below-zero minimum temperatures and widespread frost. The coldest temperature recorded was -5.1 °C at Oakley Aero on the 13th and at Injune Post Office on the 15th. Several sites had their lowest June minimum temperature on record during this period.
On 17 June a low pressure system and associated cold front brought widespread rainfall with some heavy falls across the west coast of Western Australia. In the 24 hours to 9 am on the 18th, 5 to 25 mm of rainfall was recorded across coastal and surrounding inland areas from the South West to the Gascoyne districts. Daily totals over 50 mm were recorded in parts of the South West district, including at Jindong with 85.6 mm (annual record, 24 years of data).
Between 19 and 22 June, large parts of New South Wales had sub-zero temperatures due a to high pressure system centred over south-eastern Australia that brought clear skies and light winds. The coldest temperature recorded was -10.0 °C at Goulburn Airport on the 21st and Cooma Visitors Centre on the 22nd. Canberra Airport recorded 3 consecutive nights of -7.0 °C or colder between the 20th and the 22nd, the first instance since July 1971. This included -7.6 °C on the 21st, a June record low minimum temperature for the current site (opened in 2008) and the coldest June night at Canberra Airport since 1986. Canberra Airport also recorded 5 consecutive nights (26th to the 30th) of -5.0 °C or colder, the first instance since June 1965.
Between 22 and 26 June a series of troughs and associated cold fronts crossed south-eastern Australia. These generated strong to damaging wind gusts, below average temperatures, widespread rainfall and snow in alpine areas. Rainfall totals greater than 10 mm were recorded across much of the south-east during this period. 3-day rainfall totals (24th to the 26th) over 50 mm were across parts of the south-eastern coast of South Australia, western and eastern Victoria, south-east and eastern parts of New South Wales and much of Tasmania. Many of these regions had not yet received their 'autumn break' in 2025, of at least 25 mm in 3 days after 1 March. Strong west to south-westerly winds brought cooler than average temperatures with reports of up to 40 cm of snow in alpine regions in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. These systems triggered abnormally high tides that led to inundation of low-lying coastal areas along the South Australia and Victorian coast.
Where to find more information
The Financial year climate and water statement provides a range of climate and water information at a national level.
Climate summaries are produced for each month and season, for Australia nationally and for the states and most capital cities. Special Climate Statements are produced on an occasional basis, and provide a detailed summary of weather/climate events which are unusual in the context of the climatology of the affected region.
The National Water Account includes detailed water information for eleven nationally significant water management regions. The Groundwater Information Suite provides data on bore water levels and trends, and associated data on hydrogeology and groundwater management.
Data information
For more information, find area average data and timeseries for the financial year period, with maps for the 12-month periods ending June available from recent conditions.
Data currency
All values in this statement were compiled from data available on the issue date. Subsequent quality control and the availability of additional data may result in minor changes to final values. The use of current and historical climate information allows for comparison of climate impacts from one year to the next and aligns with other reporting processes that occur over financial year periods.
Data sources
The Bureau collects, manages and safeguards Australia's climate data archive. Several datasets have been developed from this archive to identify, monitor and attribute changes in the Australian climate.
This statement was prepared using the following sources:
- Rainfall from the Australian Gridded Climate Dataset (AGCD) analyses.
- Temperature from Australia Water Availability Project (AWAP) analyses.
- Area-average time series for the financial year are calculated from the homogenised Australian temperature dataset (ACORN-SAT) and AGCD monthly rainfall.
- Root-zone soil moisture from Australian Water Resources Assessment Landscape model (AWRA-L) 7.0 analyses.
- Water storage information and the Murray-Darling Basin Information Portal.
- Sea surface temperature from the ERSSTv5 dataset.
A note on base periods
In climatology a baseline, or long-term average, is required against which to compare changes in climate over time. The Bureau uses the 1961–1990 period as the climate reference period for the Annual Climate Statement and other climate monitoring products.
A minimum 30 years of data is required to form a robust climatological average, accounting for decadal variability. In general, baseline climatological periods try to make use of the period with the best data coverage. The 1961–1990 period is comparable to the first 30-year period where there is good global coverage of climate data, and is thus used as a benchmark for reporting climate change allowing consistent comparison of national temperature observations across countries. However alternate averaging periods are also used for other purposes, such as facilitating comparison to a more recent period for climate outlooks, or to the pre-industrial period for long-term climate change.
The choice of base period is a convention. It has no bearing on the calculation of trends over time, or the ranking of one year compared to all other years in a dataset.
Product code: IDCKGC6AR0
Downloads
- Interactive timeseries graphs as .png files
- Data sources are listed in sections including the About section
