South Australia in July 2013: Wet and warm conditions for the State

  • Wet conditions continue for agricultural areas with record daily and monthly totals.
  • State-wide maximum temperatures mostly above average with new daily records.
  • Warmest July nights in 38 years at Kent Town and warmest July days in 11 years

Rainfall

South Australia received rainfall above the long-term average July total for the State as a whole, resulting in the wettest July since 2006. Apart from the northwest pastoral district, where rainfall was average to below average, most locations recorded a wetter than average July. Parts of the Upper North and Flinders Ranges observed new record high July total rainfall. The wettest periods for most districts occurred between the 5th and 8th, between the 13th and 15th and between the 18th and 23rd. The heaviest falls were reported through the latter periods as low pressure systems located over the Great Australian Bight extended rain bands across southern parts of South Australia.  Several locations in the western agricultural and pastoral areas observed new record-high daily rainfall totals associated with the event on the 13th. The passage of another low pressure system late in the month resulted in scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms across the agricultural areas, with isolated showers further north. The cold southerly airstream associated with the low also produced light snowfall across parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges on the 20th.  

Pastoral Districts

Rainfall totals over the pastoral districts were mostly average to above average though tending below average in the far Northeast. Totals typically ranged between 10 and 25 mm, with higher totals in excess of 50mm for southern parts of the pastoral areas. The wettest overall in the pastoral districts was at Yardea in the Northwest, with 93.2 mm; 38 mm of which was observed in the 24 hours to 9am on the 13th. Moonaree (Kangaroo Well), located in the southern part of the Northwest district, reported the wettest day for any location across the State, with 46.6 mm observed on the 13th.

Agricultural Districts

Most parts of the agricultural areas reported above-average rainfall throughout the month, particularly across western and coastal areas. Totals were in the range of 25 to 50mm across northern parts of the agricultural areas and in the 50 to100 mm range across large parts of the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas, the Mount Lofty and Flinders ranges and across the Murray Valley districts. Locations across Kangaroo Island, the Mount Lofty Ranges, the lower Southeast and the southern tips of the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas, observed monthly rainfall totals in the 100 mm to 200 mm range. The wettest overall for the month in the agricultural districts was at Uraidla in the Mount Lofty Ranges, reporting 293.6 mm for month; nearly half of which was observed between the 18th and 23rd.

Some sites had their highest total July rainfall on record. Some sites had their highest total July rainfall for at least 20 years. Some sites had their lowest total July rainfall on record. Some sites had their highest July daily rainfall on record.

Temperature

The mean temperature (the average of the maximum and minimum temperatures) for South Australia as a whole in July 2013 was 1.2 °C above the long-term average. Mean temperatures at particular stations ranged from 8.3 °C at Mount Lofty to 14.7 °C at Moomba Airport in the Far North district. Some sites had their highest July mean temperature on record. Some sites had their highest July mean temperature for at least 20 years.

Maximum Temperature

Mean maximum temperatures over South Australia were generally above average across the State throughout July, particularly in the pastoral districts. Across the State as a whole, monthly maximum temperatures were 1.4 °C above the long-term average and the warmest since 2007. Some locations were as much as 1.5 °C above average across northern parts of the State. Agricultural regions observed daytime temperatures closer to the average. Average daily maximum temperatures ranged from 10.3 °C at Mount Lofty to 22.3 °C at Moomba Airport in the Far North district.

The coldest periods for many locations occurred through the third week of July as low pressure and cold frontal systems crossed the State. Mount Lofty recorded the coldest day of the month when its maximum temperature only reached 5.5 °C on the 20th. 

The warmest day for much of the State occurred during the second and the last week of July in the northerly airstream ahead of a low pressure trough. Moomba Airport observed the hottest day for any location in the State, reaching 30.9 °C on the 13th.

Some sites had their highest July mean temperature on record. Some sites had their highest July mean temperature for at least 20 years.

Minimum Temperature

Mean minimum temperatures were widely above average across South Australia through July; with a State-wide anomaly 1.2 °C above average, July 2013 is the warmest since 2009. The warmest part of the State with respect to minimum temperatures was across the far north of the Northwest district and through the southeast of the State where minimum temperatures were up to 2 °C warmer than average.

The warmest nights for most of South Australia occurred during the second and third week of July. Moomba Airport observed the warmest night for any location in the State on the 18th, with a minimum of 16.2 °C. Gluepot Reserve, in the Northeast district, observed the coldest night with a minimum of –4.9 °C on the 10th.

The warmest nights on average were observed at Neptune Island with 12.3 °C, while Arkaroola observed the coolest nights on average with a monthly average of 3.0 °C.  

Some sites had their warmest July night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record. Some sites had their highest July mean daily minimum temperature on record. Some sites had their highest July mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years.

Further information

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Extremes in July 2013
Hottest day 30.9 °C at Moomba Airport on the 13th
Warmest days on average 22.3 °C at Moomba Airport
Coolest days on average 10.3 °C at Mount Lofty
Coldest day 5.5 °C at Mount Lofty on the 20th
Coldest night -4.9 °C at Gluepot Reserve (Gluepot) on the 10th
Coolest nights on average 3.0 °C at Arkaroola
Warmest nights on average 12.3 °C at Neptune Island
Warmest night 16.2 °C at Moomba Airport on the 18th
Warmest on average overall 14.7 °C at Moomba Airport
Coolest on average overall 8.3 °C at Mount Lofty
Wettest overall 293.6 mm at Uraidla
Driest overall 0 mm at Marla Police Station and Moomba Airport
Wettest day 46.6 mm at Moonaree (Kangaroo Well) on the 13th
Highest wind gust 117 km/h at Neptune Island on the 4th

Maps
ObservedAnomalyDecile rank
Total
rainfall
Map of Rainfall totals Map of Percentage of normal rainfall Map of Rainfall deciles
Mean
daily
maximum
temperatures
Map of Mean maximum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean maximum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean maximum temperature
Mean
daily
minimum
temperatures
Map of Mean minimum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean minimum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean minimum temperature

Click on a map to show it full size in a pop-up window


Record highest July daily rainfall
Highest daily rainfall
in July 2013 (mm)
Previous wettest
for July
Years of
record
Tintinara 35.0 on the 22nd 25.2 on the 7th in 1993 114
Tarcoola (Mulgathing) 35.6 on the 13th 29.4 on the 26th in 1986 80
Tarcoola (Commonwealth Hill) 28.0 on the 13th 24.9 on the 15th in 1956 70
Tarcoola (Mobella) 38.0 on the 13th 24.0 on the 14th in 2006 55
Moonaree (Kangaroo Well) 46.6 on the 13th 28.0 on the 16th in 1998 28
Buckleboo (Karinya) 27.6 on the 13th 17.0 on the 30th in 1994 26
Edithburgh 24.0 on the 13th 23.0 on the 28th in 1998 22



Record highest total July rainfall
Total rainfall
for July 2013 (mm)
Previous wettest
for July
Years of
record
Average for
July
Lake Everard 87.8 85.8 in 1956 81 23.5
Tarcoola (Commonwealth Hill) 50.8 50.4 in 1986 72 11.1
Burnside 129.8 129.5 in 1917 35 77.0
Moonaree (Kangaroo Well) 78.4 56.6 in 1986 28 23.6
Coonawarra 139.2 135.7 in 2002 27 79.7
Buckleboo (Karinya) 73.4 59.8 in 2009 26 34.1
Edithburgh 97.2 93.2 in 1995 22 45.7

Highest total July rainfall for at least 20 years
Total rainfall
for July 2013 (mm)
Most recent July
at least this wet
Years since
wetter
Average for
July
Coonalpyn 100.6 115.0 in 1951* 60 54.6
Yardea 93.2 127.8 in 1956 57 32.5
Moonta 85.0 91.3 in 1963 50 45.3
Whyalla (Mullaquana) 47.0 50.4 in 1969* 43 21.8
Milang 103.8 110.2 in 1974 39 49.1
Tarcoola (Mobella) 63.4 67.9 in 1973* 38 11.9
Tailem Bend 73.6 78.6 in 1984 29 39.2
Yunta (Panaramitee) 36.6 41.2 in 1984 29 15.2
Yunta (Paratoo) 45.2 51.0 in 1984 29 16.9
Maitland 108.4 134.2 in 1963* 27 65.9
Tarcoola (Mulgathing) 70.0 100.6 in 1986 27 12.3
Langhorne Creek 83.2 88.8 in 1986* 26 43.8
Lobethal 213.2 230.8 in 1986* 26 129.5
Millicent 182.6 183.4 in 1986* 26 112.5
American River 137.6 149.8 in 1989 24 85.0

* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported.




Record lowest total July rainfall
Total rainfall
for July 2013 (mm)
Previous driest
for July
Years of
record
Average for
July
Parilla 6.2 6.6 in 1924 99 36.1
Lenswood Research Centre 3.0 51.2 in 1982 46 154.6
Port Kenny 12.8 13.8 in 1976 44 56.4
Parndana 6.2 40.2 in 1994 34 106.5
Marla Police Station 0.0 = 0.0 in 2012 26 12.9



Record highest July mean daily maximum temperature
Mean daily maximum
temperature
for July 2013 (°C)
Previous warmest
for July
Years of
record
Average for
July
Cape Willoughby 15.2 = 15.2 in 2002 45 14.2

Highest July mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years
Mean daily maximum
temperature
for July 2013 (°C)
Most recent July
at least this warm
Years since
warmer
Average for
July
Cape Jaffa (The Limestone) 14.7 15.1 in 1993 20 14.0



Record highest July daily minimum temperature
Highest daily minimum
temperature
in July 2013 (°C)
Previous warmest
for July
Years of
record
Average for
July
Mount Gambier Aero 12.7 on the 14th 11.7 on the 29th in 1952 72 5.2
Neptune Island 16.0 on the 1st 15.5 on the 28th in 1975 52 11.3
Arkaroola 15.1 on the 14th 14.5 on the 13th in 1995 36 3.3
Leigh Creek Airport 15.6 on the 13th 14.5 on the 30th in 1993 30 4.7
Loxton Research Centre 13.9 on the 14th 12.0 on the 9th in 1999 30 3.8
Coonawarra 13.5 on the 14th 11.4 on the 4th in 1991 28 5.1
Cape Jaffa (The Limestone) 14.3 on the 2nd 14.0 on the 3rd in 1992 22 7.5



Record highest July mean daily minimum temperature
Mean daily minimum
temperature
for July 2013 (°C)
Previous warmest
for July
Years of
record
Average for
July
Adelaide Airport 8.8 8.5 in 2009 58 7.0
Cape Willoughby 10.8 = 10.8 in 2004 45 9.8
Edinburgh RAAF 7.6 7.4 in 1995 40 6.0
Adelaide (Kent Town) 9.1 9.0 in 2009 36 7.5
Maitland 8.3 8.2 in 2009 33 7.0
Coonawarra 6.4 = 6.4 in 1988 27 5.1

Highest July mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years
Mean daily minimum
temperature
for July 2013 (°C)
Most recent July
at least this warm
Years since
warmer
Average for
July
Mount Barker 6.7 =6.7 in 1930 83 4.5
Cleve 8.5 9.2 in 1975 38 7.1
Parafield Airport 7.8 8.2 in 1990 23 6.3



Record highest July mean temperature
Mean daily
temperature
for July 2013 (°C)
Previous warmest
for July
Years of
record
Average for
July
Cape Willoughby 13.0 = 13.0 in 2002 45 12.0
Adelaide (Kent Town) 12.7 12.4 in 2009 36 11.4
Loxton Research Centre 11.0 10.9 in 1999 29 9.8

Highest July mean temperature for at least 20 years
Mean daily
temperature
for July 2013 (°C)
Most recent July
at least this warm
Years since
warmer
Average for
July
Adelaide Airport 12.4 12.8 in 1975 38 11.0
Edinburgh RAAF 11.8 12.3 in 1975 38 10.6
Meningie 11.9 12.6 in 1975 38 10.8
Parafield Airport 12.0 12.3 in 1975 38 10.7



Summary statistics for July 2013
Maximum temperatures
for July
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
for July
(°C)
Rainfall
for July
(millimetres)
Mean for
July
2013
Diff
from
average
Highest for
July
2013
Mean for
July
2013
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
July
2013
Total for
July
2013
Average
for
July
Rank of
July
2013
Fraction of
July
average
Northwest (district 16)
Andamooka 19.4 +1.0 25.0 12th 7.0 +1.0 2.6 7th 15.4 12.6 average 122%
Coober Pedy Airport 19.4   28.7 17th 6.7   1.9 22nd 2.0 5.2 average 38%
Ernabella (Pukatja) 19.0   26.6 13th 5.2   -2.8 22nd 0.6
Marla Police Station 20.9 +1.1 29.2 13th 5.3 +0.4 -0.7 23rd 0 12.9 lowest 0%
Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam Aerodrome) 19.2   24.7 13th 4.9   -0.8 7th 9.0
Tarcoola Aero 18.8   25.8 17th 5.7   -0.3 7th 54.4
Woomera Aerodrome 17.9 +1.0 22.7 28th 6.5 +0.7 2.7 7th 28.6 15.3 high 187%
Far North (district 17)
Arkaroola 18.3 +1.8 25.0 28th 3.0 -0.3 -2.3 6th 7.0 15.1 average 46%
Leigh Creek Airport 18.3 +1.7 24.8 13th 5.6 +0.9 1.1 7th 17.2 17.4 average 99%
Marree Aero 20.6   27.3 13th 5.7   -0.1 25th 2.6
Marree Comparison 20.7 +1.6 27.7 13th 6.4 +1.5 1.5 7th 1.2 10.0 average 12%
Moomba Airport 22.3   30.9 13th 7.3   1.2 6th 0
Oodnadatta Airport 21.4 +1.8 30.3 13th 6.9 +1.1 1.4 23rd 0.8 9.9 average 8%
Western Agricultural (district 18)
Ceduna AMO 18.0 +0.6 21.6 3rd 6.5 +0.7 1.5 10th 55.6 40.0 high 139%
Cleve 16.1 +0.8 19.0 26th 8.5 +1.4 4.6 20th 63.2 46.3 high 137%
Cleve Aerodrome 15.9   19.2 17th 8.6   4.1 8th 47.4 44.0 average 108%
Coulta (Coles Point) 16.2 +0.7 19.5 17th 8.0 +0.6 2.5 8th 58.6 54.0 average 109%
Cummins Aero 15.8   18.7 17th 6.1   0.2 8th 87.2
Elliston 17.1 +0.7 20.6 26th 8.7 +0.9 4.3 8th 110.4 70.8 v high 156%
Kimba 15.7 +0.2 19.0 3rd 5.6 +0.6 2.0 10th 86.2 41.6 v high 207%
Kyancutta 17.7 +0.6 21.0 2nd 5.7 +1.0 0.3 31st 54.2 40.5 high 134%
Minnipa Pirsa 16.2   19.0 17th 7.2   3.5 21st 60.8
Neptune Island 15.9 +0.6 18.3 2nd 12.3 +1.0 7.4 21st 94.8 76.2 average 124%
North Shields (Port Lincoln AWS) 16.5 +0.4 21.1 17th 7.9 +0.4 3.9 8th 78.8 57.3 high 138%
Nullarbor 18.6 +0.4 23.7 3rd 6.3 +1.2 0.6 7th 36.8 27.4 high 134%
Port Augusta Aero 17.9   22.8 28th 5.1   0.1 26th 31.0
Streaky Bay 17.4 +0.9 19.4 31st 8.5 +0.1 4.0 8th 87.5 61.3 high 143%
Whyalla Aero 17.5 +0.6 22.6 28th 6.0 +0.8 0.8 10th 30.0 24.0 high 125%
Wudinna Aero 17.0   20.1 2nd 6.7   0.9 31st 60.8
Upper North (district 19)
Hawker 16.2 +0.3 21.8 27th 5.2 +1.5 0.0 8th 62.7 33.9 high 185%
Yongala 13.5 +0.7 18.8 28th 3.3 +1.1 -2.7 3rd 60.6 39.7 high 153%
Northeast (district 20)
Gluepot Reserve (Gluepot) 18.0   25.0 28th 4.6   -4.9 10th 29.7
Yunta Airstrip 16.5   23.2 28th 4.0   -4.2 10th 35.6
Lower North (district 21)
Clare High School 13.4   17.6 28th 5.3   -0.5 10th 82.2 66.9 average 123%
Port Pirie Aerodrome 16.9   20.8 28th 6.9   1.5 10th 55.5
Snowtown (Rayville Park) 15.4   19.2 28th 5.8   0.2 10th 71.6
Yorke Peninsula (district 22A)
Edithburgh 15.5 +0.5 19.0 1st 8.1 +0.6 3.0 8th 97.2 45.7 highest 213%
Kadina AWS 15.8   19.1 28th 6.3   0.2 10th 64.8
Maitland 15.2 +0.9 18.0 11th 8.3 +1.3 4.1 22nd 108.4 65.9 v high 164%
Minlaton Aero 16.0   19.2 11th 8.3   4.0 23rd 79.0
Stenhouse Bay 16.0   19.3 1st 9.6   5.8 9th 120.0
Warooka 15.6 +0.6 18.4 1st 8.6 +1.0 4.6 21st 90.2 65.7 high 137%
Kangaroo Island (district 22B)
Cape Borda 14.9   17.7 1st 10.0   3.9 20th 135.8
Cape Willoughby 15.2 +1.0 18.0 1st 10.8 +1.0 6.4 20th 120.8 81.8 high 148%
Kingscote Aero 15.8   19.0 1st 7.5   0.5 9th 120.6 65.9 high 183%
Parndana Cfs AWS 14.3   17.2 2nd 7.7   2.8 8th 150.8
Adelaide Plains (district 23A)
Adelaide (Kent Town) 16.2 +0.9 20.8 28th 9.1 +1.6 4.1 9th 119.2 74.7 v high 160%
Adelaide Airport 15.9 +1.0 19.7 17th 8.8 +1.8 3.2 9th 92.4 59.4 high 156%
Edinburgh RAAF 16.0 +0.7 19.9 28th 7.6 +1.6 2.5 9th 84.2 53.0 high 159%
Parafield Airport 16.2 +1.1 20.4 28th 7.8 +1.5 2.3 9th 73.4 58.5 high 125%
Roseworthy AWS 15.6   19.1 28th 6.7   1.7 8th 51.8
County Light (district 23B)
Nuriootpa Viticultural 14.0   19.3 28th 6.1   0.8 10th 72.6
Rosedale (Turretfield Research Centre) 15.5 +0.8 20.0 28th 6.6 +1.1 1.9 8th 75.2 59.1 high 127%
Mount Lofty Ranges (district 23C)
Hindmarsh Island AWS 15.8   20.4 28th 8.8   2.7 10th 84.2
Kuitpo Forest Reserve 13.0   17.9 27th 7.7   2.6 20th 184.2
Mount Barker 13.5 +0.6 19.1 28th 6.7 +2.2 1.2 9th 191.3 106.6 v high 179%
Mount Crawford (Mt Crawford AWS) 11.7   16.9 27th 6.8   1.8 20th 151.0 93.8 high 161%
Mount Lofty 10.3   15.6 27th 6.0   0.9 20th 220.4
Noarlunga 15.5   20.0 17th 9.8   5.5 20th 107.4
Parawa (Second Valley Forest AWS) 12.6   16.1 17th 7.9   3.0 20th 174.2 125.9 high 138%
Victor Harbor (Encounter Bay) 16.2   20.6 27th 7.5   0.6 10th 100.2
Upper Murray Valley (district 24A)
Loxton Research Centre 16.9 +1.1 24.6 28th 5.1 +1.3 -2.3 10th 26.6 28.3 average 94%
Renmark Aero 17.3   25.6 28th 4.4   -4.7 10th 20.4
Lower Murray Valley (district 24B)
Eudunda 13.7 +0.6 18.8 28th 6.1 +1.1 0.2 10th 68.0 51.2 high 133%
Meningie 15.8 +0.8 19.2 28th 8.0 +1.3 2.2 9th 104.2 61.6 v high 169%
Murray Bridge (Pallamana Aerodrome) 15.9   21.3 28th 5.4   -0.4 10th 45.2
Murray Bridge Comparison 17.0 +0.8 22.5 28th 6.2 +0.8 0.6 10th 64.7 35.7 v high 181%
Strathalbyn Racecourse 15.6   20.2 28th 8.0   2.6 10th 100.4
Murray Mallee (district 25A)
Karoonda 16.2   22.1 28th 6.2   -0.5 9th 63.5 35.0 v high 181%
Upper Southeast (district 25B)
Keith 15.8 +0.8 20.9 28th 6.7 +1.2 -0.5 9th 81.0 55.2 high 147%
Keith (Munkora) 15.6   20.3 28th 6.5   -0.5 9th 82.6
Lameroo (Austin Plains) 15.4   20.5 28th 5.3   -1.0 10th 43.8
Lameroo Comparison 16.3 +1.3 21.9 28th 6.2 +1.8 0.2 10th 44.6 41.3 average 108%
Lower Southeast (district 26)
Cape Jaffa (The Limestone) 14.7 +0.7 18.6 1st 8.1 +0.6 1.7 10th 130.6 81.0 v high 161%
Coonawarra 14.5 +0.7 17.3 14th 6.4 +1.3 -2.1 9th 139.2 79.7 highest 175%
Mount Gambier Aero 14.1 +0.9 17.5 2nd 6.1 +0.9 -0.4 9th 153.4 99.7 v high 154%
Naracoorte Aerodrome 14.7   17.9 1st 7.0   -0.6 9th 90.0
Padthaway South 15.0   19.6 28th 7.2   -0.6 9th 76.8
Robe Airfield 15.4   19.1 28th 7.6   -0.4 9th 131.6
Robe Comparison 14.5 +0.9 17.3 1st 9.1 +1.0 3.0 9th 125.5 104.0 high 121%

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 11 am on Thursday 1 August 2013. 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.

The ACORN-SAT dataset is being used for temperature area averages from December 2012 onwards. The major change from earlier datasets is that the ACORN-SAT dataset commences in 1910, rather than 1950, and hence rankings are calculated using a larger set of years.

Further information

Media
(03) 9669 4057
Enquiries

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