Friday, 1 September 2017 - Monthly Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC13R0
South Australia in August 2017: above average rainfall in most agricultural districts
August rainfall was above average in many agricultural districts, which also helped keep temperatures slightly cooler than average in the southern and eastern agricultural districts. Further north, the pastoral districts were drier than average with warmer than average days and nights, particularly in the State's northwest.
Wetter than average in the south, dry in the north
- August rainfall was 20% below average for South Australia as a whole
- Agricultural areas generally recorded average to above average August rainfall
- Below average rainfall recorded in pastoral districts, particularly in the northwest
- A series of cold fronts crossed the State during August, bringing windy conditions with periods of rain that resulted in localised minor flooding in the Onkaparinga catchment
- Several long-term sites had their wettest August on record
- Many sites had their highest total August rainfall for at least 20 years
Cool in the south, mild in the north
- August temperatures were warmer than average for South Australia as a whole
- August maximum and mean temperatures for the State were their warmest since 2013
- Very much above average daytime temperatures for the Northwest Pastoral district
- Daytime temperatures were close to average in southern agricultural districts
- Night time temperatures were generally warmer than average in the western half of the State and below average in the Flinders and southern parts of the Northeast Pastoral district
- Several sites in the north had their hottest August day on record
- Two short-term sites had their coldest August day (lowest maximum temperature) on record
- Ernabella, with just 21 years of data, had its lowest August temperature on record
- Several sites had their warmest August night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record on the 15th
Strong winds at times
- In the middle of the month, cold fronts and westerly winds brought gale force winds to coastal waters and adjacent land areas
- Maximum wind gusts in excess of 90 km/h were recorded at many sites across southern South Australia from 15-17 August
- The strongest recorded wind gust during August was 124 km/h at Neptune Island on both the 6th and 15th
Further information
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
- Enquiries
- helpdesk.climate@bom.gov.au
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
| Extremes in August 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Hottest day |
35.8 °C at Oodnadatta Airport on the 15th |
| Warmest days on average |
23.9 °C at Oodnadatta Airport |
| Coolest days on average |
9.8 °C at Mount Lofty |
| Coldest day |
6.0 °C at Mount Lofty on the 3rd |
| Coldest night |
-4.5 °C at Yunta Airstrip on the 1st |
| Coolest nights on average |
1.6 °C at Yongala |
| Warmest nights on average |
11.3 °C at Neptune Island |
| Warmest night |
16.6 °C at Coober Pedy Airport on the 15th |
| Warmest on average overall |
16.1 °C at Oodnadatta Airport |
| Coolest on average overall |
7.2 °C at Mount Lofty |
| Wettest overall |
235.1 mm at Bridgewater |
| Driest overall |
0 mm at Ernabella (Pukatja) |
| Wettest day |
54.0 mm at Bridgewater on the 15th |
| Strongest wind gust |
124 km/h at Neptune Island on the 6th 124 km/h at Neptune Island on the 15th |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
| Maps | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Observed | Anomaly | Decile rank | |
| Total rainfall |
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| Mean daily maximum temperatures |
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| Mean daily minimum temperatures |
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Click on a map to show it full size in a pop-up window
| Record highest August total rainfall | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (mm) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for August |
||
| Nairne | 184.2 | = 184.2 | in 1984 | 132 | 89.0 |
| Finniss | 127.0 | 123.0 | in 1939 | 104 | 61.2 |
| Edithburgh | 94.6 | 86.6 | in 2004 | 26 | 47.7 |
| Strathalbyn Racecourse | 126.4 | 101.4 | in 2008 | 22 | 52.9 |
| Highest August total rainfall for at least 20 years | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Observed (mm) |
Most recent higher |
Average for August |
|||
| Callington | 98.2 | 125.9 | in 1909* | 44.5 | |
| Yorketown | 92.8 | 96.4 | in 1930 | 55.6 | |
| Mount Barker | 206.0 | 210.5 | in 1955 | 102.4 | |
| Strathalbyn | 140.6 | 142.3 | in 1955* | 61.1 | |
| Hahndorf | 227.7 | 255.1 | in 1955* | 118.0 | |
| Minlaton | 89.2 | 100.5 | in 1971 | 55.7 | |
| Ardrossan | 70.0 | 79.3 | in 1971* | 41.9 | |
| Macclesfield | 187.0 | 192.0 | in 1981 | 95.8 | |
| Willunga | 124.2 | 128.9 | in 1984* | 79.6 | |
| Goolwa Council Depot | 105.4 | 117.0 | in 1986* | 55.5 | |
| Mount Compass | 186.8 | 194.0 | in 1990 | 114.0 | |
| Port Parham | 67.2 | 75.0 | in 1986* | 40.5 | |
| Keith | 99.2 | 116.6 | in 1991 | 58.1 | |
| Coulta | 120.4 | 126.4 | in 1992 | 74.8 | |
| Mount Bold Reservoir | 177.4 | 178.8 | in 1992 | 100.8 | |
| Warooka | 106.0 | 114.4 | in 1992 | 59.0 | |
| Mount Pleasant | 174.4 | 195.6 | in 1992* | 90.1 | |
| Palmer | 101.8 | 118.4 | in 1992* | 51.6 | |
| Rosedale (Turretfield Research Centre) | 93.1 | 98.4 | in 1992* | 57.6 | |
| Truro | 104.6 | 130.0 | in 1992* | 63.4 | |
| Cummins | 85.0 | 106.6 | in 1992* | 60.9 | |
| Ungarra | 97.8 | 98.2 | in 1992* | 56.2 | |
| Maitland | 94.0 | 104.0 | in 1972* | 61.5 | |
| Kapunda | 92.2 | 100.2 | in 1996 | 61.4 | |
| Adelaide Airport | 86.0 | 87.2 | in 1996* | 50.8 | |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported
| Record highest August temperature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for August |
|||
| Andamooka | 34.3 | on the 14th | 33.6 | on the 24th in 1995 | 48 | 20.6 |
| Coober Pedy Airport | 34.3 | on the 14th | 33.8 | on the 28th in 2013 | 24 | 21.0 |
| Marree Aero | 34.9 | on the 15th | 34.8 | on the 23rd in 2006 | 20 | 21.9 |
| Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam Aerodrome) | 34.6 | on the 14th | 33.0 | on the 23rd in 2006 | 20 | 20.9 |
| Record lowest August daily maximum temperature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for August |
|||
| Renmark Aero | 9.7 | on the 3rd | 10.5 | on the 16th in 2014 | 23 | 18.6 |
| Minnipa Pirsa | 9.6 | on the 2nd | 10.1 | on the 10th in 2003 | 22 | 17.8 |
| Record highest August daily minimum temperature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for August |
|||
| Price | 15.8 | on the 15th | 14.5 | on the 16th in 2001 | 52 | 6.3 |
| Maitland | 14.5 | on the 15th | 14.2 | on the 28th in 2005 | 37 | 7.2 |
| Clare High School | 13.7 | on the 15th | 13.5 | on the 25th in 1999 | 24 | 4.4 |
| Snowtown (Rayville Park) | 14.0 | on the 15th | = 14.0 | on the 25th in 1999 | 20 | 4.3 |
| Record lowest August temperature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for August |
|||
| Ernabella (Pukatja) | -3.1 | on the 4th | -2.7 | on the 8th in 2005 | 21 | 6.1 |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
| Summary statistics for August 2017 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum temperatures (°C) |
Minimum temperatures (°C) |
Rainfall (millimetres) |
||||||||||
| Mean for August 2017 |
Diff from average |
Highest for August 2017 |
Mean for August 2017 |
Diff from average |
Lowest for August 2017 |
Total for August 2017 |
Average for August |
Rank of August 2017 |
Fraction of August average |
|||
| Northwest (district 16) | ||||||||||||
| Andamooka | 21.2 | +0.6 | 34.3 | 14th | 7.1 | -0.1 | 2.7 | 12th | 1.2 | 12.9 | low | 9% |
| Coober Pedy Airport | 22.0 | +1.0 | 34.3 | 14th | 7.7 | +0.1 | 2.9 | 11th | 1.0 | 6.4 | average | 16% |
| Ernabella (Pukatja) | 23.0 | +2.0 | 31.4 | 15th | 7.2 | +1.1 | -3.1 | 4th | 0 | 6.2 | lowest | 0% |
| Mount Ive | 18.5 | 23.5 | 14th | 6.1 | -1.4 | 1st | 22.1 | 23.2 | average | 95% | ||
| Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam Aerodrome) | 21.2 | +0.3 | 34.6 | 14th | 4.7 | -0.7 | -1.4 | 12th | 0.4 | 9.4 | low | 4% |
| Tarcoola Aero | 21.3 | 0.0 | 33.1 | 14th | 6.5 | +0.9 | 1.3 | 11th | 13.6 | 12.2 | average | 111% |
| Woomera Aerodrome | 19.6 | +0.6 | 27.1 | 14th | 6.6 | -0.2 | 3.0 | 7th | 3.6 | 13.3 | low | 27% |
| Far North (district 17) | ||||||||||||
| Arkaroola | 19.5 | +0.4 | 31.5 | 15th | 4.6 | 0.0 | -1.0 | 2nd | 17.4 | 14.7 | average | 118% |
| Leigh Creek Airport | 19.9 | +0.7 | 31.9 | 15th | 5.1 | -1.0 | 0.9 | 12th | 2.2 | 16.1 | low | 14% |
| Marree Aero | 22.1 | +0.2 | 34.9 | 15th | 5.7 | -1.0 | 1.1 | 12th | 1.4 | 7.2 | average | 19% |
| Moomba Airport | 22.5 | -0.2 | 34.5 | 15th | 7.7 | -0.3 | 3.3 | 9th | 1.0 | 4.5 | average | 22% |
| Oodnadatta Airport | 23.9 | +1.7 | 35.8 | 15th | 8.2 | +0.8 | 3.6 | 8th | 0.6 | 7.9 | average | 8% |
| Western Agricultural (district 18) | ||||||||||||
| Ceduna AMO | 19.2 | +0.5 | 27.4 | 31st | 6.8 | +0.7 | -0.2 | 25th | 32.0 | 33.9 | average | 94% |
| Cleve | 16.3 | -0.4 | 24.9 | 13th | 7.3 | -0.1 | 3.0 | 29th | 74.2 | 48.0 | high | 155% |
| Cleve Aerodrome | 15.7 | -1.2 | 21.7 | 14th | 7.4 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 29th | 64.2 | 43.5 | high | 148% |
| Coffin Bay (Point Avoid) | 16.3 | 21.8 | 31st | 9.4 | 4.3 | 1st | 72.6 | |||||
| Cummins Aero | 16.2 | -0.6 | 25.0 | 13th | 6.6 | +1.6 | 0.8 | 30th | 87.8 | 55.9 | high | 157% |
| Elliston | 17.5 | +0.3 | 23.4 | 13th | 9.2 | +0.9 | 3.2 | 20th | 89.0 | 59.0 | high | 151% |
| Kimba | 16.4 | -0.6 | 23.0 | 13th | 5.8 | +0.3 | 2.0 | 28th | 58.6 | 42.0 | high | 140% |
| Kyancutta | 18.5 | -0.1 | 25.2 | 13th | 5.8 | +0.9 | -0.6 | 29th | 45.9 | 38.6 | average | 119% |
| Minnipa Pirsa | 17.3 | -0.5 | 24.5 | 13th | 7.3 | +0.6 | 2.8 | 24th | 46.2 | 37.5 | average | 123% |
| Neptune Island | 15.3 | -0.1 | 20.3 | 13th | 11.3 | +0.1 | 8.0 | 6th | 88.8 | 62.0 | high | 143% |
| North Shields (Port Lincoln AWS) | 16.4 | -0.4 | 24.7 | 13th | 7.7 | +0.6 | 3.2 | 29th | 84.8 | 49.4 | high | 172% |
| Nullarbor | 20.6 | +0.9 | 29.4 | 9th | 6.3 | +0.5 | -0.3 | 12th | 17.6 | 24.3 | average | 72% |
| Port Augusta Aero | 19.5 | -0.6 | 26.5 | 14th | 4.4 | -0.9 | -0.6 | 1st | 12.6 | 15.4 | average | 82% |
| Streaky Bay | 23.4 | 14th | 9.4 | +0.6 | 4.6 | 30th | 65.0 | 49.8 | high | 131% | ||
| Whyalla Aero | 18.2 | -0.3 | 23.7 | 13th | 5.2 | -0.7 | 0.0 | 1st | 13.0 | 21.3 | average | 61% |
| Wudinna Aero | 18.0 | -0.7 | 25.0 | 13th | 6.4 | +0.9 | -0.6 | 30th | 41.6 | 34.2 | average | 122% |
| Upper North (district 19) | ||||||||||||
| Hawker | 18.0 | +0.2 | 25.5 | 15th | 4.0 | -0.2 | -1.5 | 1st | 25.0 | 31.8 | average | 79% |
| Yongala | 14.3 | -0.2 | 23.9 | 14th | 1.6 | -1.0 | -3.9 | 1st | 37.3 | 43.0 | average | 87% |
| Northeast (district 20) | ||||||||||||
| Gluepot Reserve (Gluepot) | 17.9 | -1.1 | 26.0 | 13th | 5.1 | +0.8 | -1.0 | 2nd | 30.2 | 20.1 | high | 150% |
| Yunta Airstrip | 17.3 | -0.3 | 24.6 | 14th | 2.9 | -1.0 | -4.5 | 1st | 10.6 | 13.2 | average | 80% |
| Lower North (district 21) | ||||||||||||
| Clare High School | 13.7 | -0.5 | 21.1 | 13th | 4.0 | -0.4 | -1.6 | 28th | 80.2 | 65.9 | average | 122% |
| Port Pirie Aerodrome AWS | 18.2 | 25.4 | 14th | 5.1 | -0.5 | 29th | 26.4 | |||||
| Snowtown (Rayville Park) | 15.9 | -0.9 | 22.9 | 13th | 3.6 | -0.7 | -2.0 | 28th | 65.8 | 43.6 | high | 151% |
| Yorke Peninsula (district 22A) | ||||||||||||
| Edithburgh | 15.3 | -0.5 | 21.7 | 13th | 7.0 | -0.4 | 1.9 | 30th | 94.6 | 47.7 | highest | 198% |
| Kadina AWS | 16.3 | -0.8 | 22.7 | 13th | 5.2 | +0.5 | -1.8 | 28th | 44.4 | 31.6 | high | 141% |
| Minlaton Aero | 15.6 | -0.8 | 21.8 | 13th | 6.8 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 28th | 72.4 | 43.6 | high | 166% |
| Stenhouse Bay | 15.7 | -0.6 | 21.4 | 13th | 9.1 | -0.3 | 6.0 | 20th | 95.2 | 58.7 | high | 162% |
| Warooka | 15.2 | -0.5 | 18.4 | 13th | 7.7 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 29th | 106.0 | 59.0 | v high | 180% |
| Kangaroo Island (district 22B) | ||||||||||||
| Cape Borda | 14.4 | -0.3 | 17.6 | 13th | 8.6 | -0.5 | 3.9 | 28th | 93.6 | 71.8 | average | 130% |
| Cape Willoughby | 14.7 | +0.2 | 18.3 | 14th | 9.5 | -0.1 | 6.2 | 6th | 76.2 | 73.6 | average | 104% |
| Kingscote Aero | 15.4 | -0.7 | 19.3 | 13th | 6.0 | +0.3 | 0.7 | 1st | 80.4 | 56.9 | high | 141% |
| Parndana Cfs AWS | 14.1 | 18.7 | 13th | 6.5 | 2.0 | 29th | 101.2 | |||||
| Adelaide Plains (district 23A) | ||||||||||||
| Adelaide (Kent Town) | 15.9 | -0.8 | 23.3 | 13th | 7.9 | -0.3 | 3.0 | 29th | 87.8 | 67.8 | average | 129% |
| Adelaide (West Terrace / ngayirdapira) | 15.9 | -0.2 | 23.0 | 13th | 8.5 | +0.5 | 3.5 | 29th | 82.0 | 61.6 | high | 133% |
| Adelaide Airport | 15.6 | -0.4 | 22.4 | 13th | 8.0 | +0.4 | 3.6 | 25th | 86.0 | 50.8 | v high | 169% |
| Edinburgh RAAF | 15.8 | -0.7 | 23.4 | 13th | 6.6 | +0.1 | 0.8 | 28th | 78.8 | 50.1 | high | 157% |
| Parafield Airport | 16.2 | -0.1 | 23.7 | 13th | 6.7 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 28th | 77.6 | 53.8 | high | 144% |
| Roseworthy AWS | 15.8 | -0.7 | 22.7 | 13th | 5.1 | -0.1 | -1.2 | 28th | 68.8 | 45.8 | v high | 150% |
| County Light (district 23B) | ||||||||||||
| Nuriootpa Pirsa | 14.0 | -0.8 | 22.4 | 13th | 4.5 | -0.5 | -1.2 | 28th | 88.2 | 56.0 | high | 158% |
| Rosedale (Turretfield Research Centre) | 15.3 | -0.6 | 23.0 | 13th | 5.0 | -0.6 | -1.6 | 28th | 93.1 | 57.6 | v high | 162% |
| Mount Lofty Ranges (district 23C) | ||||||||||||
| Hindmarsh Island AWS | 15.5 | -1.0 | 22.6 | 13th | 8.3 | +0.1 | 3.6 | 31st | 70.6 | 47.8 | high | 148% |
| Kuitpo Forest Reserve | 12.7 | -0.9 | 19.9 | 13th | 6.6 | -0.3 | 2.8 | 28th | 145.8 | 89.0 | high | 164% |
| Mount Barker | 14.3 | +0.1 | 22.8 | 14th | 5.3 | +0.3 | 0.5 | 29th | 206.0 | 102.4 | v high | 201% |
| Mount Crawford AWS | 11.4 | -1.0 | 19.5 | 13th | 5.6 | -0.5 | 2.2 | 28th | 143.0 | 86.4 | high | 166% |
| Mount Lofty | 9.8 | -0.2 | 17.4 | 13th | 4.6 | -0.7 | 1.1 | 28th | 185.8 | |||
| Noarlunga | 15.1 | -0.8 | 20.7 | 13th | 8.7 | -0.1 | 3.9 | 28th | 104.4 | 53.7 | v high | 194% |
| Parawa (Second Valley Forest AWS) | 12.1 | -0.4 | 17.6 | 13th | 7.0 | -0.1 | 4.4 | 28th | 146.4 | 103.7 | high | 141% |
| Victor Harbor (Encounter Bay) | 15.6 | -0.8 | 22.2 | 13th | 7.0 | +0.3 | 1.4 | 2nd | 118.4 | 73.5 | high | 161% |
| Upper Murray Valley (district 24A) | ||||||||||||
| Loxton Research Centre | 17.2 | -0.4 | 26.0 | 13th | 4.3 | -0.1 | -1.7 | 20th | 27.4 | 26.6 | average | 103% |
| Renmark Aero | 17.7 | -0.9 | 25.9 | 13th | 3.9 | -0.5 | -2.7 | 20th | 22.0 | 21.9 | average | 100% |
| Lower Murray Valley (district 24B) | ||||||||||||
| Eudunda | 13.7 | -0.7 | 22.1 | 13th | 4.9 | -0.4 | 0.6 | 28th | 88.8 | 55.7 | high | 159% |
| Meningie | 15.6 | -0.5 | 21.5 | 13th | 7.4 | +0.2 | 1.6 | 29th | 81.9 | 56.9 | high | 144% |
| Murray Bridge (Pallamana Aerodrome) | 16.3 | -0.9 | 24.6 | 13th | 4.8 | +0.4 | -2.2 | 20th | 58.8 | 28.9 | v high | 203% |
| Strathalbyn Racecourse | 15.4 | -0.8 | 22.8 | 13th | 7.0 | +0.4 | 1.4 | 20th | 126.4 | 52.9 | highest | 239% |
| Murray Mallee (district 25A) | ||||||||||||
| Karoonda | 16.4 | -0.9 | 25.0 | 13th | -1.5 | 28th | 37.2 | 38.3 | average | 97% | ||
| Upper Southeast (district 25B) | ||||||||||||
| Keith | 15.9 | -0.3 | 23.0 | 13th | 5.6 | -0.3 | -1.2 | 28th | 99.2 | 58.1 | v high | 171% |
| Keith (Munkora) | 15.4 | -0.7 | 22.4 | 13th | 4.2 | -0.6 | -2.8 | 28th | 93.4 | 54.2 | v high | 172% |
| Lameroo (Austin Plains) | 15.2 | -1.3 | 22.7 | 13th | 4.1 | -0.4 | -1.6 | 28th | 46.4 | 34.6 | high | 134% |
| Lower Southeast (district 26) | ||||||||||||
| Cape Jaffa (The Limestone) | 14.3 | -0.3 | 17.1 | 14th | 7.1 | -0.7 | 2.2 | 20th | 91.8 | 71.0 | average | 129% |
| Coonawarra | 14.5 | -0.3 | 19.2 | 13th | 4.9 | -0.5 | -0.5 | 19th | 109.2 | 82.3 | high | 133% |
| Mount Gambier Aero | 14.4 | +0.3 | 19.2 | 14th | 5.0 | -0.5 | 0.1 | 20th | 140.6 | 95.7 | high | 147% |
| Naracoorte Aerodrome | 14.5 | -0.9 | 19.6 | 13th | 5.6 | +0.2 | 0.2 | 28th | 97.8 | 70.9 | high | 138% |
| Padthaway South | 14.9 | -0.6 | 21.2 | 13th | 5.4 | -0.5 | -1.3 | 28th | 114.0 | 69.2 | high | 165% |
| Robe Airfield | 15.0 | -0.3 | 17.8 | 14th | 6.4 | -0.8 | 0.4 | 1st | 99.8 | 91.8 | average | 109% |
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 September 2017. 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
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
- Enquiries
- helpdesk.climate@bom.gov.au
