Friday, 30 September 2011 - Monthly Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC13R0

South Australia in September 2011: A Warm and Dry start to Spring.

  • Above average maximum temperatures keep days warm across the State while slightly below average minimum temperatures keep nights cool in southeast districts.
  • Despite a wet finish to September, much of the State received very much below average rainfall.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Rainfall

Apart from the far northeast of the South Australia receiving above average rainfall this September, rainfall totals were generally below average across most districts, particularly across central districts and in the southeast of the State. Rainfall totals were predominantly less than 10mm across the northern pastoral districts, whilst western and southern agricultural areas received between 20 to 50 mm.

Pastoral Districts

Some locations recorded only around 50% of the September average totals. The highest September total recorded in the pastoral regions was at Yardea, with 33 mm, which is about 115% of the September average that this site receives.

Agricultural Districts

Rainfall totals were generally below average across agricultural districts during September. Rainfall totals were typically around 20 to 40mm for most agricultural districts, Higher totals of 50 to 60mm were recorded at most stations through the Lower Southeast. Totals ranged from 60 to 100mm in the Mt Lofty Ranges. The highest total for the state was 125.2mm recorded at Echunga in the Adelaide Hills.

Some sites had their lowest total September rainfall on record.
Some sites had their lowest total September rainfall for at least 25 years.
See a map of rainfall deciles.

Temperature

September temperatures across South Australia were above the long term average, apart from the far northwest and far northeast were the average temperature was only slightly below the long term average. The September average temperature for South Australia was 1.4 °C warmer than the long term September average of 15.3 °C.

Maximum

Maximum temperatures were above average this September with some parts being up to 3°C warmer than the average September maximums. Average maximum temperatures ranged from 14.9 °C at Mount Lofty in the Mount Lofty Ranges to 28.5 °C at Moomba Airport in the far northeast of the State.

The warmest September daily maximum temperature was 37.2°C recorded at Marla in the far northwest on the 27th of September. The coldest daily maximum was 7.9 °C at Mount Lofty on the 10th of September.

Minimum

Minimum temperatures were slightly below the long-term average this September. Mean minimum temperatures for the month ranged from 3.2°C at Yongala in the Upper North District to 12.3°C on Neptune Island.

The lowest overnight winter minimum temperature recorded was -3.6 °C at Yongala on the 7th of September. The highest minimum temperature recorded was 21.8°C at Marree Aerodrome on the 28nth of September.

Some sites had their highest September mean daily maximum temperature for at least 25 years.

Further information

Media
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Extremes in September 2011
Hottest day 37.2 °C at Marla Police Station on the 27th
Warmest days on average 28.5 °C at Moomba Airport
Coolest days on average 14.9 °C at Mount Lofty
Coldest day 7.9 °C at Mount Lofty on the 10th
Coldest night -3.6 °C at Yongala on the 7th
Coolest nights on average 3.2 °C at Yongala
Warmest nights on average 12.3 °C at Neptune Island
Warmest night 21.8 °C at Marree Aero on the 28th
Warmest on average overall 19.9 °C at Oodnadatta Airport
Coolest on average overall 10.7 °C at Mount Lofty
Wettest overall 125.2 mm at Echunga
Highest wind gust 117 km/h at Neptune Island on the 19th

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Record lowest total September rainfall
Total rainfall
for September 2011 (mm)		 Previous driest
for September		 Years of
record		 Average for
September
Oodnadatta Airport 0.0 = 0.0 in 2007 63 10.1
Andamooka 0.0 = 0.0 in 2007 47 13.1

Lowest total September rainfall for at least 25 years
Total rainfall
for September 2011 (mm) 		Most recent September
at least this dry		 Years since
drier		 Average for
September
Port Pirie Nyrstar Comparison 3.8 2.5 in 1882 128 35.3
Bruce 0.2 0.0 in 1938 71 25.0
Brinkworth 8.4 6.3 in 1948 62 43.9
Goolwa Council Depot 14.4 10.4 in 1951 60 48.1
Swan Reach 4.6 4.0 in 1980 31 28.2
Hoyleton 15.2 =15.2 in 1980 30 50.2


Highest September mean daily maximum temperature for at least 25 years
Mean daily maximum
temperature
for September 2011 (°C) 		Most recent September
at least this warm		 Years since
warmer		 Average for
September
Cape Willoughby 17.7 18.0 in 1980 31 15.8


Record highest September daily minimum temperature
Highest daily minimum
temperature
in September 2011 (°C) 		Previous warmest
for September		 Years of
record		 Average for
September
Price 20.0 on the 19th 17.2 on the 19th in 2006 47 7.3


Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Summary statistics for September 2011
Maximum temperatures
for September
(°C)		 Minimum temperatures
for September
(°C)		 Rainfall
for September
(millimetres)
Mean for
September
2011		 Diff
from
average		 Highest for
September
2011		 Mean for
September
2011		 Diff
from
average		 Lowest for
September
2011		 Total for
September
2011		 Average
for
September		 Rank of
September
2011		 Fraction of
September
average
Northwest (district 16)
Andamooka 26.4 +1.9 36.7 27th 10.7 +0.3 5.8 13th 0 13.1 lowest 0%
Coober Pedy Airport 26.5   36.3 27th 11.2   5.7 7th 0.2
Ernabella (Pukatja) 25.5   34.0 27th 9.5   3.1 13th 0.2
Marla Police Station 27.4 +0.7 37.2 27th 9.2 -1.6 2.6 12th 0.2 10.9 low 2%
Nonning 23.9 +2.4 34.3 17th 7.9 +1.0 1.9 13th 16.2 24.7 average 66%
Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam Aerodrome) 26.1   36.8 27th 9.1   1.5 7th 6.0
Tarcoola Aero 26.5   35.5 17th 8.5   0.7 10th 1.2
Woomera Aerodrome 25.2 +2.7 35.1 17th 10.6 +1.2 6.0 10th 6.8 14.9 average 46%
Far North (district 17)
Arkaroola 25.3 +2.1 33.0 18th 6.9 -1.2 1.0 7th 5.6 15.4 average 36%
Leigh Creek Airport 25.4 +2.3 34.8 27th 9.4 +0.1 3.0 13th 1.8 19.0 low 9%
Marree Aero 27.2   36.0 27th 9.8   2.8 7th 5.6
Marree Comparison 27.6 +2.0 35.8 27th 10.0 +0.2 3.6 7th 5.8 10.7 average 54%
Moomba Airport 28.5   36.0 27th 10.0   4.7 13th 2.6
Oodnadatta Airport 27.6 +1.1 36.7 27th 12.1 +0.7 6.2 12th 0 10.1 lowest 0%
Western Agricultural (district 18)
Ceduna AMO 23.4 +2.0 33.5 18th 8.1 +0.3 0.3 25th 31.8 28.0 average 114%
Cleve 22.0 +2.7 32.2 17th 9.4 +0.9 5.0 7th 23.6 42.6 low 55%
Cleve Aerodrome 21.6   32.0 17th 8.3   3.7 25th 17.4 37.0 low 47%
Coulta (Coles Point) 19.7   25.8 15th 9.0   3.1 25th 41.2
Cummins Aero 20.8   27.8 15th 6.3   -0.6 10th 33.8
Elliston 20.8 +1.7 28.5 2nd 10.4 +1.0 3.5 5th 49.0 39.8 high 123%
Kimba 22.2 +2.0 32.0 17th 7.1 +0.1 1.0 10th 21.4 37.5 average 57%
Kyancutta 23.4 +1.6 32.2 16th 6.7 +0.4 -0.2 25th 31.1 31.8 average 98%
Minnipa Pirsa 22.8   31.4 16th 8.5   2.3 10th 36.6
Neptune Island 17.4 +1.3 22.1 22nd 12.3 +0.8 8.0 29th 33.2 46.3 low 72%
North Shields (Port Lincoln AWS) 20.4   27.2 18th 7.5   3.2 13th 36.8
Nullarbor 23.1 +0.8 34.8 18th 8.6 +0.7 3.3 5th 22.0 17.9 high 123%
Port Augusta Aero 25.9   36.4 27th 8.1   1.7 13th 8.0
Streaky Bay 22.3 +2.2 30.9 15th 10.2 +0.3 5.4 8th 29.3 35.4 average 83%
Whyalla Aero 23.9 +2.4 35.7 17th 8.5 +0.4 3.4 1st 7.4 27.4 low 27%
Wudinna Aero 24.2   33.6 16th 7.1   -0.2 10th 26.6
Upper North (district 19)
Hawker 24.4 +2.9 34.0 27th 7.0 +0.3 -0.8 7th 2.8 27.9 v low 10%
Yongala 20.9 +3.0 31.8 27th 3.2 -0.8 -3.6 7th 11.7 38.4 low 30%
Northeast (district 20)
Gluepot Reserve (Gluepot) 23.8   34.5 17th 5.3   -1.5 1st 2.9
Yunta Airstrip 23.5   32.2 27th 6.1   -2.1 7th 2.0
Lower North (district 21)
Clare High School 19.4   29.9 27th 6.3   -0.5 7th 15.8
Port Pirie Aerodrome 23.7   33.5 17th 7.3   0.1 13th 4.0
Port Pirie Nyrstar Comparison 23.7 +2.4 34.0 27th 11.0 +1.2 5.1 5th 3.8 35.3 v low 11%
Snowtown (Rayville Park) 22.1   32.0 27th 4.7   -0.6 13th 15.4
Yorke Peninsula (district 22A)
Edithburgh 19.7   29.9 17th 8.7   1.6 13th 26.8
Kadina AWS 21.4   30.8 27th 5.1   -1.3 13th 12.8
Maitland 20.2 +2.3 30.1 17th 9.4 +1.0 5.5 25th 32.8 51.4 low 64%
Minlaton Aero 20.3   28.1 27th 7.6   2.5 24th 35.4
Stenhouse Bay 18.8   25.2 27th 10.7   6.3 13th 40.8
Warooka 19.3 +1.6 26.0 17th 8.7 +0.1 5.4 24th 40.8 46.2 average 88%
Kangaroo Island (district 22B)
Cape Borda 16.5   20.8 17th 9.8   4.6 25th 34.2
Cape Willoughby 17.7 +1.9 25.2 27th 10.8 +0.5 7.1 6th 36.4 56.3 low 65%
Kingscote Aero 19.2   25.3 27th 5.6   0.8 1st 23.4
Adelaide Plains (district 23A)
Adelaide (Kent Town) 20.8 +1.9 31.5 27th 10.2 +0.5 5.0 12th 46.8 60.2 low 78%
Adelaide Airport 20.7 +2.6 31.1 27th 9.3 +0.4 4.3 13th 40.0 46.1 average 87%
Edinburgh RAAF 21.2 +2.4 32.8 17th 8.2 +0.2 1.2 25th 33.2 48.4 average 69%
Parafield Airport 21.5 +2.7 32.7 27th 8.5 +0.3 2.6 12th 48.6 44.4 average 109%
Roseworthy AWS 21.6   32.7 27th 5.2   -2.2 25th 47.2
County Light (district 23B)
Nuriootpa Viticultural 19.3   30.3 27th 6.2   -0.1 13th 9.0
Rosedale (Turretfield Research Centre) 20.7 +2.5 31.7 27th 6.2 -0.4 0.6 13th 31.6 53.5 low 59%
Mount Lofty Ranges (district 23C)
Hindmarsh Island AWS 20.6   31.5 27th 9.3   5.0 25th 26.2
Kuitpo Forest Reserve 17.6   28.1 27th 8.1   4.5 25th 85.4
Mount Barker 18.3 +1.9 28.3 27th 6.7 +0.9 2.0 12th 93.8 85.6 average 110%
Mount Crawford (Mt Crawford AWS) 16.6   26.9 27th 7.3   3.0 25th 62.2
Mount Lofty 14.9   25.4 27th 6.5   2.5 25th 87.2
Noarlunga 20.3   30.4 27th 10.3   5.5 12th 41.6
Parawa (Second Valley Forest AWS) 16.0   24.6 27th 8.3   5.5 7th 73.0
Victor Harbor (Encounter Bay) 19.9   29.8 27th 6.8   0.9 13th 48.8
Upper Murray Valley (district 24A)
Loxton Research Centre 22.3 +1.7 33.8 17th 6.0 -0.3 -0.1 7th 6.8 26.8 v low 25%
Renmark Aero 23.5   35.2 17th 5.7   -1.2 13th 2.8
Lower Murray Valley (district 24B)
Eudunda 19.4 +2.4 30.1 27th 6.6 +0.3 2.2 12th 29.6 48.8 low 61%
Meningie 19.8 +1.8 30.4 27th 8.3 0.0 2.4 1st 41.0 48.3 average 85%
Murray Bridge (Pallamana Aerodrome) 21.3   32.6 27th 4.8   -0.9 5th 32.0
Murray Bridge Comparison 22.2 +2.4 33.2 17th 7.1 -0.1 1.6 1st 36.3 36.8 average 99%
Strathalbyn Racecourse 20.4   31.0 27th 7.2   1.1 25th 31.4
Murray Mallee (district 25A)
Karoonda 21.5   33.1 17th 5.4   0.0 20th 17.8 35.5 low 50%
Upper Southeast (district 25B)
Keith 20.3 +1.8 32.5 17th 7.0 0.0 -0.4 25th 30.7 50.9 low 60%
Keith (Munkora) 19.9   31.0 17th 4.7   -2.9 25th 32.8
Lameroo (Austin Plains) 21.2   32.8 17th 4.3   -1.6 25th 27.8
Lameroo Comparison 21.5 +2.1 32.9 17th 5.8 -0.2 1.0 25th
Lower Southeast (district 26)
Cape Jaffa (The Limestone) 17.3   27.5 27th 8.4   3.8 25th 44.8
Coonawarra 18.1 +1.3 26.0 17th 6.7 +0.3 0.2 8th 40.2 63.4 low 63%
Mount Gambier Aero 17.2 +1.4 24.5 27th 7.0 +0.7 -0.3 8th 57.4 72.8 low 79%
Naracoorte Aerodrome 18.2   25.9 27th 6.8   -0.1 25th 50.4
Padthaway South 19.0   28.1 27th 6.6   -0.6 25th 40.8
Robe Airfield 18.0   27.7 27th 7.6   -0.2 8th 50.2
Robe Comparison 17.1 +1.4 24.1 27th 9.7 +0.5 4.7 8th 43.8 59.2 average 74%

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notes

A Monthly Climate Summary is prepared to list the main features of the weather in South Australia using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated. Later information, including data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review, usually published in the fourth week of the month.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 2 pm on Friday 30 September 2011. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

Averages are long-term means based on observations from all available years of record, which vary widely from site to site. They are not shown for sites with less than 20 years of record, as they cannot then be calculated reliably.
The median is sometimes more representative than the mean of long-term average rain.

The Rank indicates how rainfall this time compares with the climate record for the site, based on the decile ranking (very low rainfall is in decile 1, low in decile 2 or 3, average in decile 4 to 7, high in decile 8 or 9 and very high is in decile 10).
The Fraction of average shows how much rain has fallen this time as a percentage of the long-term mean.

Further information

Media
(03) 9669 4057
Enquiries

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