Monday, 2 November 2020 - Monthly Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC13R0

South Australia in October 2020: ninth-wettest on record

Rainfall in October was above to very much above average across most of South Australia, resulting in the state's ninth-wettest October on record and wettest since 2010. Daytime temperatures were generally close to average in the south and cooler than average in the northern Pastoral districts. Several warm nights resulted in above average mean minimum temperatures for most Agricultural districts, but nights were close to average in the state's north and south-east.

Wettest October since 2010

• Rainfall in October was above to very much above average across most of South Australia.
• October rainfall for South Australia as a whole was more than double the October average (120% above average), making it the state's ninth-wettest October on record and highest in October since 2010.
• Most of the state was wetter than average, with large areas of central and northern South Australia recording more than 3 times their October average rainfall.
• Many Agricultural districts recorded more than 50 mm for the month.
• The state's wettest day was the 7th, with parts of the north and west of the state recording more than 25 mm resulting in localised flooding in the north.
• Numerous sites had their highest October daily rainfall on record.
• Quorn, with 139 years of rainfall record, was one of many sites that had either their highest total October rainfall on record or their highest total October rainfall for at least 20 years.
• Year-to-date rainfall is close to average across much of South Australia, but above average in some central regions and the north-east, and below average in the far north-west.

Some warm nights and cool days at times

• Mean maximum temperatures in October were generally close to average in the south but cooler than average in the state's north.
• The mean maximum temperature was 0.05 °C above average for South Australia as a whole, the coolest since 2016.
• On the 6th and 7th, numerous sites had their coldest October day on record.
• Mean minimum temperatures were warmer than average in most Agricultural districts, but close to average in the Pastoral districts and Lower South East.
• The mean minimum temperature was 1.15 °C above average for South Australia as a whole, which, after several very warm years, was the coolest since 2016.
• On the 3rd, several sites had their warmest October night on record.
• A few sites had their highest October mean daily minimum temperature on record.
• The strongest wind gust recorded in the state during the month was 124 km/h at Woomera Aerodrome on the 24th, which equalled the site's October record from 31 October 2014.
• For the year-to-date, both daytime and night-time temperatures are above average in the state's west but close to average or cooler than average in the east.

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

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

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

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top