Monday, 2 May 2016 - Monthly Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC13R0

South Australia in April 2016: Rainfall below average, persistent warmth

Most of South Australia recorded a warmer and drier than normal April. Daytime and night time temperatures were above average in the first half of the month, particularly across the pastoral areas. Rainfall was below average across most of the State, especially across northern and eastern districts.

• Warmest April since 2013
• Below average rainfall, especially in the east
• Warmer days across the State
• Warmer nights across northern districts

Following a wetter March, April was a dry month for most of South Australia, with little rainfall activity being reported across the State. The wettest period was on the 6th as a cold front crossed southern coastal regions, though highest totals were generally below 10 mm following the passage of the front. Rainfall totals for the month generally ranged from 10-25 mm across southern coasts, decreasing to less than 10 mm in northern parts of the agricultural areas. Almost the whole of the pastoral areas recorded little or no rainfall during the month.

South Australia had a warm April. Both the statewide mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures were above the historical average, with day time temperatures in the highest 10% of records across much of the northern and eastern districts. Overall, April 2016 was the warmest April since 2013.

During the first week of the month, warm days occurred across most districts. Maximum temperatures became milder following the passage of a cold frontal system and the establishment of a ridge of high pressure in the Great Australian Bight, during the second week of the month. Warm northwesterly winds during much of the second half of the month resulted in above average daytime temperatures persisting across large areas of the State, with especially warm periods between the 18th and 21st and from the 25th to the 30th.

Nights were warmer than average for northern districts, but generally mild, tending cooler than average across most other areas of South Australia during the first few days of April. The second half of the month saw nights become warmer than average across most areas of the State. The passage of a low pressure trough on the 27th resulted in much of the southern half of the State reporting minimum temperatures in excess of 6 °C above average.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Maps
	Observed	Anomaly	Decile rank
Total rainfall
Mean daily maximum temperatures
Mean daily minimum temperatures

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Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top