Friday, 8 January 2021 - Monthly Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC13R0

South Australia in December 2020: cool and wet in the west, dry in parts of the east

Rainfall in December was above to very much above average over much of the state's west and parts of the north, but it was drier than average in some central and eastern Agricultural districts. Daytime temperatures for December were below to very much below average across much of western and northern South Australia. Night-time temperatures were generally close to average across most of the state, but nights were generally cooler than average in Agricultural districts and warmer than average in the north-east. Overall, it was South Australia's coolest December since 2010.

Wettest December since 2016

• Rainfall in December was above to very much above average over much of the state's west and parts of the north.
• December was drier than average in some central and eastern Agricultural districts, particularly in areas around Mannum where the region averaged less than 10 mm for the second consecutive month.
• The Murraylands and Riverland districts each had less than half their December average rainfall.
• The wettest day for the state as a whole was the 21st, when a trough of low pressure brought showers and rain across large areas of the state's north.
• For South Australia as a whole, rainfall was 55% above average, the highest in December since 2016.
• Cook had its highest total December rainfall since 1966.

Coolest since 2010

• Daytime temperatures for December were below to very much below average across much of western and northern South Australia.
• The mean maximum temperature for South Australia as a whole was 0.89 °C below average, the coolest in December since 2008.
• The hottest temperature recorded during the month was 46.6 °C at Moomba Airport on the 5th as hot north-westerly winds raised dust in the north while a cold front brought rain on the same day to areas further south.
• Night-time temperatures were generally close to average across most of the state, but it was a generally cooler than average month in Agricultural districts and warmer than average in the north-east.
• The mean minimum temperature for South Australia was 0.13 °C above average, the lowest since 2010.
• Overall, the state's mean temperature for December was 0.37 °C below average, making it South Australia's coolest December since 2010.
• December was cooler than November for South Australia as a whole for only the sixth time since 1910.
• On the 13th, Cape Jaffa (The Limestone) had its warmest December night on record.
• Robe and Mount Crawford had their lowest December mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years.

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