Friday, 1 May 2020 - Monthly Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC13R0

South Australia in April 2020: cool days in the south, wet in the south and far north

Rainfall in April was above average over much of northern and southeastern South Australia, including around Adelaide, thanks to heavy falls both early and late in the month. However, it was drier than average in the far west and across some southern areas of the Pastoral districts. Daytime temperatures were cooler than average in southeastern districts, but warmer than average in the northwest. Night-time temperatures were particularly warm in the northwest and generally close to average or above average elsewhere.

Wet in the south and far north

  • Rainfall in April was above average in the central and eastern Agricultural districts, including around Adelaide
  • In the Pastoral districts, northern central and northeastern areas had above to very much above average rainfall for April
  • April was drier than average in the far west and across some southern areas of the Pastoral districts, where totals were generally less than 10 mm
  • For South Australia as a whole, rainfall was 37% above average, making it the State's wettest month since November 2018
  • Heavy rain in the State's north early in the month resulted in several sites having their highest April daily rainfall on record
  • At the end of the month, a cold outbreak across southeastern Australia brought widespread showers, isolated thunderstorms, and small hail to Agricultural districts
  • Many sites had either their highest total April rainfall on record or their highest total April rainfall for at least 20 years
  • Year-to-date rainfall has been above average through many areas of the State, with most areas having at least 50 mm more than at this time last year
  • The Pastoral districts have already had more rain in 2020 than they received for the whole of 2019

Cool in the southeast, warm in the northwest

  • Daytime temperatures were cooler than average in southeastern districts, but warmer than average in the State's northwest
  • Southerly air behind cold fronts on the 29th and 30th resulted in several sites having their coldest April day on record
  • For South Australia as a whole, the mean maximum temperature was 0.65 °C above average
  • Night-time temperatures were generally close to average in the eastern half of the State and warm in the western half, including very warm in the northwest
  • For South Australia as a whole, the mean minimum temperature was 0.97 °C above average
  • Edithburgh and Stenhouse Bay had their lowest April mean daily minimum temperature on record

Further information

Media
(03) 9669 4057

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes in April 2020
Hottest day 38.4 °C at Ceduna AMO on the 15th
Warmest days on average 29.1 °C at Ernabella (Pukatja)
Coolest days on average 15.9 °C at Mount Lofty
Coldest day 8.8 °C at Mount Lofty on the 30th
Coldest night 1.5 °C at Gluepot Reserve (Gluepot) on the 12th and 13th
Coolest nights on average 8.5 °C at Keith (Munkora)
Warmest nights on average 16.1 °C at Oodnadatta Airport
Warmest night 21.9 °C at Ernabella (Pukatja) on the 25th
Warmest on average overall 22.4 °C at Oodnadatta Airport
Coolest on average overall 12.5 °C at Mount Lofty
Wettest overall 166.8 mm at Ashton
Wettest day 52.6 mm at Kalamurina on the 3rd
Strongest wind gust 100 km/h at Cultana (Defence) on the 3rd

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

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 April daily rainfall
New record
(mm)		 Old
record		 Years of
record
Anna Creek 35.0 on the 1st 32.3 on the 29th in 1895 121
Oodnadatta Airport 46.2 on the 2nd 44.0 on the 21st in 1998 71
Mount Barry Station 33.0 on the 2nd 27.0 on the 20th in 1998 39
Kalamurina 52.6 on the 3rd 41.4 on the 12th in 1894 35
North Shields (Port Lincoln AWS) 24.8 on the 30th 22.2 on the 6th in 2010 26
Halbury Road Salisbury (Halbury Road) 31.6 on the 26th 29.2 on the 24th in 2009 20


Record highest April total rainfall
New record
(mm)		 Old
record		 Years of
record		 Average for
April
Adelaide (Hope Valley Reservoir) 102.8 102.3 in 1998 40 42.7
Loxton Research Centre 57.4 54.8 in 1998 36 18.7
Kalamurina 92.6 54.4 in 1894 35 14.1
North Shields (Port Lincoln AWS) 72.6 66.8 in 2015 26 21.3
Moomba Airport 37.6 33.6 in 2000 25 8.1
Brownhill Creek (Scotch College) 103.6 98.0 in 2007 22 39.5
Adelaide (Keswick) 90.6 86.0 in 2007 20 34.4
Halbury Road Salisbury (Halbury Road) 89.2 77.2 in 2007 20 30.1
Minlaton Aero 92.0 71.0 in 2007 20 26.8
Noarlunga 88.6 70.2 in 2009 20 34.3

Highest April total rainfall for at least 20 years
Observed
(mm)		 Most recent
higher		 Average for
April
Port Victoria 86.2 109.8 in 1954* 31.4
Purnong (Claypans) 74.7 129.7 in 1961 23.9
Balaklava 91.8 105.8 in 1961* 32.8
Rhynie (Salters Springs) 107.8 123.4 in 1961* 34.8
Port Wakefield 75.8 80.1 in 1964 28.2
Stansbury 75.6 86.6 in 1968* 29.7
Adelaide (Salisbury Bowling Club) 94.4 123.8 in 1971* 38.5
Georgetown 105.4 116.7 in 1971* 35.7
Parafield Airport 91.0 94.6 in 1954* 38.5
Berri 57.0 113.4 in 1974 19.7
Jamestown PIRSA 78.8 128.4 in 1974 29.7
Auburn 97.9 149.8 in 1974* 43.2
Caltowie 94.3 122.0 in 1974* 32.0
Lyrup 62.4 112.6 in 1974* 15.8
Tailem Bend 72.8 89.4 in 1980 28.0
Burra Community School 71.0 73.6 in 1980* 28.8
Port Parham 73.2 76.8 in 1983* 26.6
Stockport (Clifton) 83.8 84.6 in 1983* 33.8
Elliston 47.8 59.8 in 1992 27.3
Frances 61.0 85.5 in 1995 36.0
Adelaide (Kent Town) 94.2 105.6 in 1998 39.5
Adelaide (Morphett Vale) 111.8 122.4 in 1998 47.0
Adelaide (Seaton) 89.8 99.8 in 1998 34.2
Adelaide Airport 82.8 95.2 in 1998 34.7
Edithburgh 59.2 64.6 in 1998 25.6
Keith 59.6 62.6 in 1998 32.7
Lenswood 141.0 160.8 in 1998 72.2
McLaren Vale (Pirramimma Winery) 95.2 114.0 in 1998 38.7
Stenhouse Bay 57.4 68.2 in 1998 27.4
Warooka 69.7 75.6 in 1998 32.9
Wirrabara Forest 113.9 115.2 in 1998 48.9
Adelaide (Glen Osmond) 102.0 118.6 in 1998* 50.0
Bute 66.9 76.2 in 1998* 30.6
Cooke Plains 61.9 67.0 in 1998* 29.1
Heathfield Works Depot 146.4 155.6 in 1998* 63.4
Moonta 69.2 71.8 in 1998* 32.7
North Adelaide 88.8 96.6 in 1998* 43.3
Wallaroo 56.6 72.4 in 1998* 30.5
Oodnadatta Airport 54.4 54.8 in 2000 11.4

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



Record lowest April daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)		 Old
record		 Years of
record		 Average for
April
Elliston 15.4 on the 29th 15.6 on the 24th in 1971 59 22.4
Hawker 13.6 on the 30th 14.7 on the 26th in 2009 47 25.5
Leigh Creek Airport 14.6 on the 30th 15.6 on the 29th in 2014 36 26.4
Whyalla Aero 15.7 on the 30th = 15.7 on the 27th in 2008 33 24.0
North Shields (Port Lincoln AWS) 14.8 on the 29th 16.0 on the 26th in 1998 29 22.4
Cleve Aerodrome 14.2 on the 29th 14.4 on the 26th in 2015 24 23.4
Kuitpo Forest Reserve 11.1 on the 30th 11.8 on the 27th in 2008 23 19.9
Minnipa PIRSA 14.1 on the 29th 15.0 on the 27th in 2008 23 25.1
Tarcoola Aero 17.5 on the 29th 17.6 on the 7th in 2016 23 27.2
Marree Aero 18.3 on the 30th 19.0 on the 29th in 2001 22 29.0
Wudinna Aero 14.5 on the 29th 15.2 on the 27th in 2008 22 25.5
Victor Harbor (Encounter Bay) 14.9 on the 30th = 14.9 on the 27th in 2008 20 21.6


Record lowest April mean daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)		 Old
record		 Years of
record		 Average for
April
Edithburgh 11.6 11.7 in 1995 27 13.1
Stenhouse Bay 12.5 12.7 in 2006 24 14.1


Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Summary statistics for April 2020
Maximum temperatures
(°C)		 Minimum temperatures
(°C)		 Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
April
2020		 Diff
from
average		 Highest for
April
2020		 Mean for
April
2020		 Diff
from
average		 Lowest for
April
2020		 Total for
April
2020		 Average
for
April		 Rank of
April
2020		 Fraction of
April
average
Northwest (district 16)
Andamooka 26.7 -0.7 33.1 15th 14.3 +0.2 7.7 30th 13.1 16.2 high 81%
Coober Pedy Airport 26.4 -0.9 34.0 25th 15.3 +0.9 9.4 18th 53.0 13.9 v high 381%
Ernabella (Pukatja) 29.1 +1.8 35.1 15th 15.5 +2.0 6.9 30th 8.8 15.6 average 56%
Mount Ive 24.8   31.5 15th 14.0   9.0 18th 22.8 15.9 high 143%
Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam Aerodrome) 26.5 -0.9 33.3 25th 12.6 -0.2 7.2 18th 5.4 16.5 average 33%
Tarcoola Aero 27.2 0.0 35.6 25th 12.8 +0.5 6.2 30th 12.4 12.6 high 98%
Woomera Aerodrome 25.5 -0.1 33.1 15th 13.4 +0.2 6.6 30th 9.6 12.1 average 79%
Far North (district 17)
Arkaroola 26.0 +0.7 34.1 16th 11.1 -0.1 4.9 13th 8.4 14.9 average 56%
Leigh Creek Airport 25.5 -0.9 33.0 15th 12.9 -0.2 7.1 30th 7.4 14.5 average 51%
Marree Aero 27.6 -1.4 33.7 15th 13.6 -0.7 7.4 30th 13.8 9.0 high 153%
Moomba Airport 28.1 -1.3 35.6 16th 15.7 -0.1 9.5 30th 37.6 8.1 highest 464%
Oodnadatta Airport 28.8 +0.2 34.6 15th 16.1 +1.6 10.1 30th 54.4 11.4 v high 477%
Western Agricultural (district 18)
Ceduna AMO 24.7 +0.4 38.4 15th 12.1 +1.3 6.6 10th 25.4 19.9 high 128%
Cleve 22.6 -0.2 31.0 14th 12.1 -0.3 7.0 30th 40.0 28.8 high 139%
Cleve Aerodrome 22.6 -0.8 30.9 14th 12.3 -0.1 6.8 30th 33.4 25.4 high 131%
Coffin Bay (Point Avoid) 20.6   26.6 14th 12.8   9.0 30th 67.8
Cultana (Defence) 24.5   32.3 15th 12.5   6.3 30th 24.0
Cummins Aero 22.7 -1.3 32.9 15th 9.2 -1.5 2.4 10th 51.8 28.6 high 181%
Elliston 22.6 +0.2 30.9 15th 11.7 -0.6 5.7 10th 47.8 27.3 high 175%
Kimba 23.3 -0.7 30.0 15th     6.2 17th 30.2 22.7 high 133%
Kyancutta 25.6 +0.2 33.1 14th 9.1 -0.4 3.2 13th 30.4 19.4 high 157%
Minnipa PIRSA 23.8 -1.3 31.6 15th 12.3 +0.1 7.0 30th 36.8 16.4 high 224%
Neptune Island     20.6 23rd 14.6 -0.5 10.3 30th 34.4 30.0 high 115%
North Shields (Port Lincoln AWS) 22.3 -0.1 33.2 15th 11.7 -0.6 7.8 27th 72.6 21.3 highest 341%
Nullarbor 25.4 +0.5 37.0 14th 12.5 +0.8 7.3 18th 15.2 22.5 average 68%
Port Augusta Aero 25.3 -1.6 34.1 15th 12.3 -0.8 6.8 13th 28.4 20.5 high 139%
Streaky Bay 23.8 0.0 32.5 15th 12.4 -0.4 7.9 12th 32.2 23.8 high 135%
Whyalla Aero 23.6 -0.4 32.6 15th 11.6 -0.3 6.7 13th 20.4 21.0 average 97%
Wudinna Aero 24.8 -0.7 33.0 15th 10.6 +0.4 4.8 18th 32.4 16.8 high 193%
Upper North (district 19)
Hawker 24.1 -1.4 31.8 15th 11.8 +0.7 6.8 18th 25.3 20.1 high 126%
Yongala 21.0 -1.0 28.9 15th     3.8 13th 49.8 25.4 high 196%
Northeast (district 20)
Gluepot Reserve (Gluepot) 23.5 -1.6 32.0 15th 9.2 +0.6 1.5 12th 43.6 20.7 high 211%
Yunta Airstrip 23.4 -1.2 30.5 15th 9.7 +0.4 1.9 13th 14.4 11.3 high 127%
Lower North (district 21)
Clare High School 20.1 -1.7 28.0 14th 8.8 -0.3 3.2 12th 70.2 39.3 high 179%
Port Pirie Aerodrome AWS 24.1   30.8 15th 11.7   5.8 13th 54.6
Snowtown (Rayville Park) 23.1 -1.8 30.2 15th 9.8 +0.3 3.2 12th 51.6 26.4 high 195%
Yorke Peninsula (district 22A)
Edithburgh 21.1 -0.2 29.2 15th 11.6 -1.5 6.7 10th 59.2 25.6 v high 231%
Minlaton Aero 21.7 -1.7 29.2 15th 11.1 -0.8 7.1 10th 92.0 26.8 highest 343%
Stenhouse Bay 20.5 -0.6 27.7 14th 12.5 -1.6 9.1 13th 57.4 27.4 v high 209%
Warooka 20.9 -1.2 25.5 14th 11.8 -0.8 7.2 30th 69.7 32.9 high 212%
Kangaroo Island (district 22B)
Cape Borda 18.3 -1.6 23.4 14th 12.6 +0.1 7.9 30th 52.2 39.8 high 131%
Cape Willoughby 18.9 -0.3 25.4 14th 13.7 -0.6 9.2 30th 59.4 39.2 high 152%
Kingscote Aero 21.1 -0.7 28.4 14th 9.1 +0.2 3.2 13th 43.6 26.7 high 163%
Parndana CFS AWS 19.5   27.6 14th 10.3   6.5 13th 56.8
Adelaide Plains (district 23A)
Adelaide (Kent Town) 21.7 -1.1 29.4 14th 12.4 -0.1 7.8 13th 94.2 39.5 v high 238%
Adelaide (West Terrace / ngayirdapira) 21.4 -0.8 29.5 14th 12.8 0.0 7.9 13th 92.6 44.1 v high 210%
Adelaide Airport 21.1 -1.2 28.6 15th 12.7 +0.8 6.6 13th 82.8 34.7 v high 239%
Edinburgh RAAF 21.8 -1.4 30.7 15th 12.4 +0.6 8.8 12th 91.6 30.8 v high 297%
Parafield Airport 22.3 -0.6 30.3 15th 11.3 -0.5 6.8 13th 91.0 38.5 v high 236%
Roseworthy AWS 22.4 -1.8 31.2 15th 11.0 +0.5 5.4 12th 61.2 31.7 high 193%
County Light (district 23B)
Nuriootpa PIRSA 20.7 -1.3 29.7 14th 9.4 +0.2 3.4 12th 86.6 35.9 v high 241%
Mount Lofty Ranges (district 23C)
Hindmarsh Island AWS 20.6 -1.3 28.5 14th 12.3 -0.2 8.2 13th 82.4 29.2 v high 282%
Kuitpo Forest Reserve 18.4 -1.5 26.8 14th 10.6 -0.7 5.7 30th 101.6 57.7 high 176%
Mount Barker 20.0 -0.5 28.3 14th 9.2 +0.8 3.7 13th 85.2 57.9 high 147%
Mount Crawford AWS 18.1 -1.3 26.8 15th 10.1 -0.5 4.6 30th 101.4 44.8 v high 226%
Mount Lofty 15.9 -0.3 24.7 14th 9.3 -0.6 4.0 30th 119.2 63.4 high 188%
Noarlunga 20.8 -1.7 28.6 14th 13.0 -0.8 8.4 30th 88.6 34.3 highest 258%
Parawa (Second Valley Forest AWS) 17.2 -1.1 25.2 14th 11.0 -0.3 6.7 30th 67.2 57.1 average 118%
Victor Harbor (Encounter Bay) 20.5 -1.1 29.4 14th 10.1 -0.3 3.6 13th 93.0 36.4 v high 255%
Upper Murray Valley (district 24A)
Loxton Research Centre 22.3 -1.7 29.7 15th 10.0 +1.4 3.0 13th 57.4 18.7 highest 307%
Renmark Aero 22.6 -2.1 30.8 15th 10.6 +1.4 3.9 13th 47.4 18.3 v high 259%
Lower Murray Valley (district 24B)
Eudunda 20.5 -1.0 29.3 15th 10.3 +0.4 5.0 13th 56.6 33.2 high 170%
Meningie 20.6 -1.2 30.0 14th 11.9 +1.1 8.0 27th 64.8 37.5 high 173%
Murray Bridge (Pallamana Aerodrome) 22.2 -1.4 31.5 14th 9.8 +0.4 3.1 13th 53.8 27.1 high 199%
Strathalbyn Racecourse 21.3 -1.2 30.5 14th 10.8 +0.2 5.8 13th 58.4 28.7 high 203%
Murray Mallee (district 25A)
Karoonda 22.0 -1.8 30.0 14th 10.1 +0.4 4.2 13th 60.2 24.6 v high 245%
Upper Southeast (district 25B)
Keith 21.6 -1.0 30.4 14th 9.7 +0.4 4.2 13th 59.6 32.7 high 182%
Keith (Munkora) 21.6 -1.8 30.2 14th 8.5 +0.2 2.3 13th 58.6 25.5 v high 230%
Lameroo (Austin Plains) 21.8 -1.7 30.2 15th 9.2 0.0 3.9 12th 46.2 26.0 high 178%
Lower Southeast (district 26)
Cape Jaffa (The Limestone) 18.9 -1.1 24.7 15th 11.0 +0.2 5.3 13th 5.0 31.8 lowest 16%
Coonawarra 19.5 -1.6 28.4 14th 8.6 +0.8 2.6 30th 54.6 36.9 average 148%
Mount Gambier Aero 18.8 -0.8 27.2 15th 9.4 +0.6 4.7 30th 53.0 54.1 average 98%
Naracoorte Aerodrome 20.2 -1.9 29.0 14th 9.3 +1.2 4.0 13th 39.8 27.6 high 144%
Padthaway South 20.3 -1.8 29.3 14th 8.7 +0.5 3.3 13th 52.8 28.9 high 183%
Robe Airfield 19.1 -1.5 26.7 15th 10.3 +0.7 2.7 13th 22.2 39.7 low 56%

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notes

The Monthly climate summary, generally published on the first working day of each month, lists 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. More extensive discussion of significant weather events, along with later information and data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 10 am on Friday 1 May 2020. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

In some situations, some or all of the rainfall is in the form of hail or snow. In these cases the totals given are for the water equivalent: the depth of liquid water that results from melting any frozen precipitation. There can be significant 'undercatch' of snow in strong winds, meaning the true precipitation can be higher than that reported.

Averages for individual sites 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 10 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.

Where temperature area averages are mentioned, they are derived from the ACORN-SAT dataset.

Further information

Media
(03) 9669 4057

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