Another hot January for Perth

Mean daily maximum temperature - well above average: Perth's mean daily maximum temperature for January was 32.5°C, compared with the average of 30.5°C. January 2009 ranked as the equal sixth hottest on record with 1981, 1961 and 1956 since observations commenced in 1897. Daily maxima ranged from a mild 25.9°C on the 13th to a very hot 41.8°C on the 16th. Last year the mean daily maximum temperature for January was 32.8°C, Perth's equal fourth hottest January on record.

Mean daily minimum temperature - above average: Perth's mean daily minimum temperature in January was 18.7°C, compared with the average of 17.7°C.  Daily minima ranged from a cool 12.0°C on the 13th to a warm 22.7°C on the 16th.

Rainfall - well below average: The city received 0.2 mm on 1 day during January compared with the average of 10 mm on about 2 days. Historically, January rainfall has ranged from zero on 13 occasions to 139.0 mm in 2000.  Last January Perth registered zero rainfall.
 

* 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, on average, slightly higher than those in January. A mean of 13 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 40°C or higher days in February was four in 1933 and 1985. The last time Perth recorded a 40°C or higher February day was on 28 February 2008 when 41.5°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 (Mt 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 (Mt 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.