Hottest January for 16 years in Perth

Mean daily maximum temperature - very much above average: Perth's mean daily maximum temperature in January was 32.8°C, which was the highest mean daily maximum temperature for Perth in January since 1992, then also 32.8°C. The average for January is 30.3°C. Daily maxima ranged from a mild 24.3°C on the 10th to a very hot 41.9°C on the 3rd, which was the highest daily maximum temperature for January for 11 years since the 42.6°C on 7th January 1998.

Mean daily minimum temperature - above average: Perth's mean daily minimum temperature in January was 18.9°C, compared with the average of 17.6°C. This was the highest mean daily minimum temperature recorded at the Perth (Mount Lawley) site, which opened in November 1993. Daily minima ranged from a cool 13.1°C on the 11th to a warm 23.5°C on the 3rd.

Rainfall - equal lowest on record: The city received no rainfall during January compared with the average of 10 mm on about 2 days. Historically, January rainfall has ranged from zero on 12 occasions to 139.0 mm in 2000. Last January Perth registered 19.2 mm on 5 days.

* Denotes lowest January maximum temperature on record has occurred on the following dates: 19 January 1939 and 3 January 2007.

Climate of Perth in February
Like January, February in Perth is typically sunny and warm to hot, though day-time temperatures are slightly higher than those in January on average. A mean of 12 mm of rainfall occurs on about two days during the month.

** Denotes highest February minimum temperature on record has occurred on the following dates: 6 February 1898, 8 February 1933 and 3 February 1962.

Very hot days in February: On average, Perth can expect one day when the maximum temperature is 40°C or higher. The highest number of very hot days in February was four in 1933 and 1985. The last time Perth recorded a very hot February day was on 3 February 2007 when 40.1°C was recorded.

Hot days in February: On average, Perth can expect approximately 12 days when the maximum temperature is 32°C or higher. The highest number of hot days in February was 23 in 1996.

Note: Official Perth observations have been recorded at several different sites with varying instrumentation over the years, and these changes can affect the continuity of the climate record. For the current Perth (Mount Lawley) site, the most significant changes of this kind relate to temperature and rain days. For that reason, current mean temperature and rain-day data quoted here are based only on readings from the Perth (Mount Lawley) site, which commenced observations in 1993. Sunshine recordings are from Perth Airport and for similar reasons current means use only Perth Airport data, which commenced in 1993.

Further information:
John Relf (JR), or Glenn Cook: telephone: (08) 9263 2222 on weekdays.