Western Australia in December 2018: second warmest December on record

Maximum temperatures in December 2019 were above average across most of Western Australia, and it was the second-warmest December on record and warmest since 1972 for the State as a whole. Minimum temperatures were also above average for much of the State, and the state-averaged mean minimum temperature ranked the fifth-highest in December on record. Rainfall was below average for Western Australia and driest December since 1992.

Dry in the north

  • Monthly rainfall was 27% below average for WA, and driest December since 1992
  • Thunderstorms produced a number of moderate falls in inland southern WA in early and mid-December; Laverton Aero had its wettest December on record, and Bencubbin had its wettest December since 1995
  • Due to lack of tropical cyclone activity in December, many locations in the Kimberley recorded less than half their December average rainfall, and experienced their driest December on record , or driest since 1992

Above average temperatures for most WA

  • For WA as a whole, the mean maximum temperature was 2.15 °C above average; second-highest in December on record, behind +2.87 °C in 1972
  • The mean minimum temperature was 0.91  °C above average for WA; fifth-highest in December on record
  • Persistent extreme high temperatures including many December records were observed in the north and central WA in the last ten days of December
  • For WA as a whole, daily mean maximum temperatures on the 25th (42.00 °C ) and 26th (42.35 °C) were the third-warmest and second-warmest December days on record respectively, behind 42.95 °C on 31 December 1972
  • A temperature of 49.3 °C at Marble Bar in the Pilbara on the 27th not only exceeded its previous all-time record of 49.2 °C (3 January 1922), but was also the highest temperature for WA in seven years (previous was 49.4 °C at Roebourne on 21 December 2011)
  • Wittenoom had its December record (46.2 °C) broken five times towards the end of December; 47.8 °C on the 27th exceeded its previous annual record of 47.6 °C set on 2 January 1998
  • Several sites across inland Pilbara and the Kimberley had their warmest December on record or warmest December for at least 20 years, with monthly mean maximum temperatures exceeding 40 °C; Marble Bar's mean maximum of 44.1 °C also claimed the top national hot spot in December on record, and 14 days with temperature over 45 °C at Marble Bar was its another December record (previous was 13 such days in December 1961)
  • In addition to record hot days, some sites in the north and central WA also recorded their warmest night on record in late December; a minimum temperature of 34.0 °C at Wittenoom on the 27th was the highest minimum for WA for 25 years when a minimum of 34.2 °C was recorded at Marble Bar on 4 December 1993

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Extremes in December 2018
Hottest day 49.3 °C at Marble Bar on the 27th
Warmest days on average 44.1 °C at Marble Bar
Coolest days on average 21.1 °C at Albany
Coldest day 16.6 °C at Mount Barker on the 6th
Coldest night 1.2 °C at Eyre on the 15th
Coolest nights on average 10.6 °C at Jarrahwood
10.6 °C at Rocky Gully
Warmest nights on average 28.0 °C at Troughton Island
27.8 °C at Telfer Aero
27.8 °C at Wyndham Aero
Warmest night 34.0 °C at Wittenoom on the 27th
Warmest on average overall 35.5 °C at Telfer Aero
Coolest on average overall 17.1 °C at North Walpole
Wettest overall 154.4 mm at Wyndham
Wettest day 54.8 mm at Kununurra Aero on the 31st
Strongest wind gust 141 km/h at Leonora Aero on the 9th

Maps
ObservedAnomalyDecile rank
Total
rainfall
Map of Rainfall totals Map of Percentage of normal rainfall Map of Rainfall deciles
Mean
daily
maximum
temperatures
Map of Mean maximum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean maximum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean maximum temperature
Mean
daily
minimum
temperatures
Map of Mean minimum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean minimum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean minimum temperature

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




Record highest December total rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Laverton Aero 75.4 71.6 in 1994 25 29.9

Highest December total rainfall for at least 20 years
Observed
(mm)
Most recent
higher
Average for
December
Bencubbin 43.4 67.6 in 1995* 13.5

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




Record lowest December total rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Doongan 37.8 43.8 in 1991 31 224.5
Drysdale River Station 53.4 71.0 in 1991 31 200.7
Kachana 37.1 63.1 in 2002 24 190.7
Kalumburu 41.0 70.8 in 2006 21 236.5

Lowest December total rainfall for at least 20 years
Observed
(mm)
Most recent
lower
Average for
December
Chesalon 2.0 1.8 in 1972* 24.0
Newdegate Research Station 1.0 0.2 in 1979 15.5
Amrista Park 1.0 0.6 in 1985 15.8
Flora Valley 17.0 7.0 in 1992 96.1
Gibb River 24.0 0.0 in 1992 125.0
Warmun 52.6 49.1 in 1992 119.5
Theda 81.5 65.7 in 1991* 205.3
Sophie Downs 16.6 0.0 in 1992* 94.3
Country Downs 15.6 0.0 in 1992* 126.9

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




Record highest December temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Marble Bar* 49.3 on the 27th 48.4 on the 21st in 2011 124 41.6
Meekatharra Airport 46.0 on the 26th 45.3 on the 31st in 1997 69 36.5
Wittenoom 47.8 on the 27th 46.2 on the 31st in 1972 67 39.7
Giles Meteorological Office 45.1 on the 28th = 45.1 on the 5th in 2014 63 35.8
Wiluna 47.0 on the 31st 46.9 on the 25th in 1990 60 36.9
Derby Aero 45.6 on the 21st 44.9 on the 1st in 2011 33 37.2
Denham 42.8 on the 23rd 42.4 on the 24th in 2000 31 29.2
Carnegie 46.5 on the 27th 46.1 on the 25th in 1990 30 37.5
Doongan 41.9 on the 7th 40.5 on the 27th in 1992 30 34.4
Warburton Airfield 47.4 on the 28th 45.5 on the 17th in 2004 30 36.7
Curtin Aero 46.7 on the 21st 45.7 on the 15th in 2004 28 38.3
Argyle Aerodrome 45.1 on the 12th 44.7 on the 6th in 2009 25 37.2
Newman Aero 46.7 on the 30th 45.5 on the 31st in 2015 23 39.1
Fitzroy Crossing Aero 46.7 on the 25th 45.7 on the 9th in 2009 22 39.0
Kalumburu 42.6 on the 20th 40.3 on the 6th in 2009 21 35.2

* note: Combined observations are from Marble Bar(004106) and Marble Bar Comparison(004020)




Record lowest December daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Karratha Aero 29.1 on the 1st 29.3 on the 11th in 1995 26 35.8



Record highest December mean daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Marble Bar* 44.1 43.9 in 2015 & 1986 124 41.6
Telfer Aero 43.2 = 43.2 in 2015 44 40.3
Newman Aero 41.7 = 41.7 in 2015 22 39.1
Fitzroy Crossing Aero 43.0 42.2 in 2004 21 39.0
Kalumburu 39.6 37.5 in 2002 20 35.2

* note: Combined observations are from Marble Bar(004106) and Marble Bar Comparison(004020)


Highest December mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
December
Kununurra Aero 40.5 41.4 in 1986 37.1
Giles Meteorological Office 38.3 38.4 in 1990 35.8
Warmun 40.8 41.3 in 1992 38.3
Curtin Aero 40.4 41.3 in 1993 38.3
Doongan 37.5 38.0 in 1992* 34.4
Paraburdoo Aero 42.4 42.7 in 1997 40.4

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


Record highest December daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Meekatharra Airport 31.9 on the 26th 31.7 on the 30th in 1997 69 22.1
Wittenoom 34.0 on the 27th 33.6 on the 19th in 1987 & 17th in 1972 67 25.5
Mardie 32.2 on the 28th 31.0 on the 19th in 1987 62 23.0
Wiluna 31.0 on the 27th = 31.0 on the 30th in 2013 59 21.1
Onslow Airport 30.1 on the 28th = 30.1 on the 11th in 1962 53 22.4
Telfer Aero 33.7 on the 25th 33.1 on the 12th in 2015 45 25.5
Doongan 31.1 on the 21st 28.7 on the 22nd in 1989 30 23.1
Argyle Aerodrome 33.2 on the 12th 31.8 on the 4th in 2007 25 25.9
Thevenard Island 28.9 on the 28th = 28.9 on the 23rd in 2016 22 23.8
Kalumburu 29.3 on the 13th = 29.3 on the 3rd in 2007 21 24.9



Record highest December mean daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Telfer Aero 27.8 27.4 in 2015 44 25.5
Doongan 25.1 23.8 in 2009 29 23.1
Forrest 15.8 = 15.8 in 2016 25 14.9
Newman Aero 25.7 25.1 in 2017 22 24.0
Fitzroy Crossing Aero 27.0 26.5 in 2001 21 25.7
Kalumburu 26.3 25.3 in 2007 20 24.9

Highest December mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
December
Kununurra Aero 26.3 26.9 in 1992 25.4



Record highest December mean temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Telfer Aero 35.5 35.3 in 2015 44 32.9
Newman Aero 33.7 33.3 in 2015 22 31.5
Fitzroy Crossing Aero 35.0 34.3 in 2004 21 32.3
Kalumburu 33.0 31.4 in 2002 20 30.0

Highest December mean temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
December
Kununurra Aero 33.4 33.6 in 1992 31.3
Curtin Aero 33.0 34.1 in 1993 31.7



Summary statistics for December 2018
Maximum temperatures
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
(°C)
Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
December
2018
Diff
from
average
Highest for
December
2018
Mean for
December
2018
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
December
2018
Total for
December
2018
Average
for
December
Rank of
December
2018
Fraction of
December
average
North Kimberley (district 01)
Doongan 37.5 +3.1 41.9 7th 25.1 +2.0 22.0 29th 37.8 224.5 lowest 17%
Kalumburu 39.6 +4.4 42.6 20th 26.3 +1.4 23.5 22nd 41.0 236.5 lowest 17%
Troughton Island 32.9 -0.1 34.2 22nd 28.0 +0.7 26.1 23rd 2.4 121.5 lowest 2%
Truscott 34.9 +0.8 38.0 24th 27.4 +1.4 23.5 23rd 11.4 192.4 v low 6%
Wyndham Aero 41.5 +3.7 45.8 12th 27.8 +1.2 22.6 31st 125.6 150.5 average 83%
East Kimberley (district 02)
Halls Creek Airport 41.5   44.3 25th 26.4   21.1 25th 41.8
Kununurra Aero 40.5 +3.4 44.6 20th 26.3 +0.9 22.2 31st 105.4 140.4 average 75%
Warmun 40.8 +2.5 45.2 20th 25.4 +0.3 20.4 14th 52.6 119.5 low 44%
West Kimberley (district 03)
Bidyadanga 35.8 +0.8 44.0 23rd 26.9 +1.1 25.0 2nd 4.0 58.7 low 7%
Broome Airport 33.7 -0.2 42.3 22nd 27.1 +0.6 23.1 24th 12.4 62.7 average 20%
Curtin Aero 40.4 +2.1 46.7 21st 25.5 +0.4 21.6 18th 53.8 149.6 low 36%
Cygnet Bay     38.8 24th 26.6 +1.1 23.3 2nd 0 87.7 lowest 0%
Derby Aero 38.3 +1.1 45.6 21st 26.6 +0.3 23.4 4th 35.6 78.1 average 46%
Fitzroy Crossing Aero 43.0 +4.0 46.7 25th 27.0 +1.3 22.9 31st 38.2 137.7 v low 28%
De Grey (district 04)
Bedout Island 32.0 -1.5 35.0 13th 25.8 -1.3 24.2 1st
Karratha Aero 35.1 -0.7 42.3 23rd 24.6 -1.0 19.8 17th 0 13.6 lowest 0%
Legendre Island 30.3   36.6 10th 24.5   20.8 17th
Mandora 37.5 +0.8 47.0 22nd 24.3 -0.2 18.8 18th 0 33.5 lowest 0%
Marble Bar 44.1 +2.3 49.3 27th 26.7 +0.6 21.4 18th 1.6 30.8 v low 5%
Pardoo Station 38.8 +2.2 45.0 7th     20.5 6th 0 23.8 lowest 0%
Port Hedland Airport 37.0 +0.4 45.2 12th 23.9 -0.2 19.7 18th 0 18.7 lowest 0%
Roebourne Aero 39.7 +0.4 48.9 27th 24.3 -0.5 20.2 3rd 0.2 13.4 average 1%
Fortescue (district 05)
Barrow Island Airport 31.0 -1.3 37.9 27th 23.3 -1.2 20.5 2nd 0.4 5.3 average 8%
Karijini North 42.3   47.6 27th 26.0   19.7 17th 2.8
Learmonth Airport 37.6 +0.7 47.1 27th 20.2 -0.7 16.9 12th 0 6.0 lowest 0%
Mardie 37.0 -0.5 47.7 27th 23.0 0.0 19.0 17th 0.2 8.9 average 2%
Onslow Airport 36.5 +0.6 49.1 27th 22.4 0.0 18.7 17th 0 3.3 lowest 0%
Thevenard Island 31.3 -0.7 37.0 27th 22.9 -0.9 20.0 3rd 0 7.2 lowest 0%
Wittenoom 42.5 +2.8 47.8 27th 26.6 +1.1 19.7 17th 0.4 48.4 v low 1%
West Gascoyne (district 06)
Carnarvon Airport 30.3 +0.9 42.9 20th 20.4 -0.3 16.8 7th 0.2 5.4 average 4%
Denham 28.6 -0.6 42.8 23rd 20.4 -0.1 17.5 1st 0.4 2.3 average 17%
Murchison 37.6 +0.2 45.5 25th 20.3 +0.1 14.8 12th 0.2 13.4 low 1%
Shark Bay Airport 32.3 0.0 46.0 25th 19.6 -0.1 16.1 1st 0 8.9 v low 0%
East Gascoyne (district 07)
Newman Aero 41.7 +2.6 46.7 30th 25.7 +1.7 19.5 18th 4.0 35.5 low 11%
Paraburdoo Aero 42.4 +2.0 46.5 27th 25.0 +0.4 18.2 17th 1.2 26.4 low 5%
Murchison (district 07A)
Meekatharra Airport 38.7 +2.2 46.0 26th 23.6 +1.5 16.9 17th 0 14.5 lowest 0%
Mount Magnet Aero 37.0 +1.3 44.7 26th 21.5 +0.4 14.9 12th 0.4 20.3 v low 2%
Paynes Find 35.8 +0.8 42.5 25th 18.9 +0.4 12.9 1st 0.6 12.4 low 5%
North Coast (district 08)
Dalwallinu 34.1 +1.0 41.9 25th 15.4 -0.4 9.4 1st 0 12.9 lowest 0%
Geraldton Airport 29.6   41.5 21st 16.4   10.9 7th 2.8
Kalbarri 30.5 -0.7 42.0 25th 18.2 +0.7 11.7 5th 12.9 3.9 high 331%
Morawa Airport 35.4 +0.2 42.5 25th 17.1 -0.4 11.2 5th 3.8 15.2 average 25%
Mullewa 34.5 0.0 43.0 25th 17.2 +0.1 11.0 7th 11.7 8.5 high 138%
North Island 25.8 -0.8 34.4 23rd 19.2 -0.8 15.2 17th 19.8 4.4 high 450%
Wongan Hills 33.6 +1.1 40.5 25th 15.8 0.0 9.5 2nd 10.2 10.0 high 102%
Central Coast (district 09)
Badgingarra Research Stn 32.3 +0.3 40.6 14th 14.7 -0.3 8.9 1st 1.0 9.1 low 11%
Bickley 28.5 +0.5 37.9 22nd 14.1 +0.5 9.8 1st 3.4 14.7 average 23%
Garden Island HSF 24.9 -0.5 38.7 22nd 17.2 0.0 13.5 6th 1.0 10.9 low 9%
Gingin Aero 30.9 +0.3 41.0 22nd 13.4 -1.0 5.7 7th 0.4 10.5 v low 4%
Jandakot Aero 29.2 +0.1 40.5 22nd 14.7 0.0 10.0 7th 1.8 10.7 average 17%
Jurien Bay 27.1 -1.1 40.3 21st 15.7 +0.1 10.5 7th 5.2 6.6 average 79%
Lancelin 25.7 -1.6 38.0 22nd 16.1 -0.1 13.1 2nd 5.0 8.6 average 58%
Millendon (Swan Valley) 31.1   41.3 22nd 14.4   8.0 7th 3.0
Pearce RAAF 32.1 +1.7 42.1 22nd 14.1 -0.4 6.8 7th 2.4 11.1 average 22%
Perth Airport 30.3 +1.3 40.9 22nd 15.2 +0.3 9.0 7th 0.8 11.3 low 7%
Perth Metro 29.6 +0.5 41.2 22nd 16.2 -0.1 12.3 7th 1.8 10.9 low 17%
Rottnest Island 24.3 -0.7 37.9 22nd 17.5 -0.1 13.6 6th 4.4 11.3 average 39%
Swanbourne 26.6 -1.3 39.0 22nd 16.6 +0.1 12.8 7th 1.6 11.5 average 14%
South Coast (district 09A)
Albany 21.1 -0.7 27.4 22nd 14.3 +0.3 9.5 30th 22.4 30.3 average 74%
Albany Airport 23.5   36.2 22nd 11.8   4.8 29th 26.0
Bridgetown 28.4 +1.0 38.1 22nd 10.9 -0.1 4.8 29th 15.6 19.5 average 80%
Bunbury 26.5 -0.8 35.2 22nd 13.0 -0.5 7.3 2nd 5.8 17.7 average 33%
Busselton Aero 27.9 0.0 35.8 22nd 12.2 -0.2 7.0 7th 20.4 10.8 high 189%
Cape Leeuwin 21.6 -0.2 24.6 25th 15.7 -0.1 12.5 6th 17.2 20.7 average 83%
Cape Naturaliste 24.1 +0.5 33.4 22nd 13.6 -0.3 9.7 29th 13.6 13.6 average 100%
Collie East 28.9 +0.4 37.7 22nd 11.1 -0.3 6.0 2nd 8.6 22.0 average 39%
Donnybrook 28.6 +0.4 38.5 22nd 13.5 +1.1 7.7 7th 12.4 16.5 average 75%
Dwellingup 28.6 +1.3 38.4 22nd 13.0 +0.4 9.5 7th 5.4 21.1 low 26%
Esperance 24.8 +0.2 40.1 23rd 14.4 0.0 9.9 7th 35.8 20.1 high 178%
Esperance Aero 26.9 +1.1 40.1 23rd 13.1 -0.3 7.3 7th 32.8 21.8 high 150%
Hopetoun North 24.4 +0.4 34.4 22nd 13.8 +0.1 7.7 7th 4.2 24.9 v low 17%
Jarrahwood 28.4 +1.3 37.0 22nd 10.6 -0.5 4.5 7th 19.6 17.3 average 113%
Mandurah 26.8 -0.2 35.8 21st 17.1 0.0 13.5 6th 5.4 16.7 average 32%
Manjimup 26.1 +1.2 36.8 22nd 11.6 -0.1 7.2 7th 37.2 25.6 high 145%
North Walpole 22.0 -0.4 27.7 14th 12.2 -0.6 7.3 29th 42.8 44.7 average 96%
Rocky Gully 25.7 +0.2 37.1 22nd 10.6 -0.4 3.3 29th 20.2 30.3 average 67%
Shannon 24.1 -0.2 34.3 14th 11.0 -0.2 4.7 29th 74.8 32.7 v high 229%
Witchcliffe 24.3 -0.4 35.5 22nd 12.5 +0.1 6.7 29th 32.8 18.6 high 176%
North Central (district 10)
Bencubbin 33.2 +0.8 41.0 25th 17.0 +1.0 11.3 7th 43.4 13.5 v high 321%
Cunderdin Airfield 34.1 +1.2 41.2 25th 14.9 +0.1 6.7 7th 2.4 8.8 low 27%
Merredin 33.4 +1.3 41.8 25th 16.7 +0.9 10.9 1st 24.0 14.1 high 170%
Northam 33.1 +1.0 40.2 25th 15.7 +0.4 8.0 1st 30.3 9.5 high 319%
York 33.4 +1.2 40.1 22nd 14.4 +0.5 6.5 1st 0.5 12.8 low 4%
South Central (district 10A)
Beverley 33.9 +1.7 41.0 22nd 14.6 +0.3 7.8 1st 0 10.5 lowest 0%
Brookton 32.5 +1.5 40.2 22nd 13.6 +0.1 9.6 7th 0.4 10.5 low 4%
Corrigin 31.7 +1.2 39.1 23rd 14.2 +0.2 8.6 1st 0.8 13.0 low 6%
Hyden 33.3 +1.5 40.2 25th 13.8 0.0 7.5 7th 9.1 14.6 average 62%
Jacup 28.2 +2.0 37.4 22nd 11.3 -0.2 6.0 7th 5.0 29.1 v low 17%
Katanning 29.2 +0.7 38.2 22nd 11.9 +0.2 7.5 19th 8.2 26.1 average 31%
Lake Grace 30.8 +1.5 39.8 23rd 13.8 +0.3 9.6 19th 1.4 22.2 low 6%
Narembeen 33.6 +1.6 39.5 25th 14.5 0.0 10.3 7th 19.7 12.9 high 153%
Narrogin 30.3 +1.3 38.1 23rd 13.5 +1.1 9.9 13th 10.0 14.2 average 70%
Pingelly 31.9 +1.9 38.8 22nd 14.4 +0.5 7.8 1st 3.0 12.7 average 24%
Ravensthorpe 28.2 +1.0 39.0 23rd 13.4 +0.6 6.0 8th 13.9 24.0 average 58%
Wagin 30.5 +1.2 39.1 22nd 13.4 +0.5 9.1 1st 6.3 13.3 average 47%
Wandering 31.1 +0.8 39.6 22nd 12.0 0.0 6.7 1st 5.4 18.8 average 29%
Eucla (district 11)
Balladonia 30.1 -0.1 42.4 26th 13.3 0.0 8.7 22nd 36.9 18.9 high 195%
Eucla 26.7 +1.8 40.5 24th 16.2 +1.1 10.8 2nd 12.4 18.8 average 66%
Eyre 27.3 +1.7 43.6 26th 13.7 -0.4 1.2 15th 22.6 21.2 average 107%
Forrest 33.3 +1.8 44.6 6th 15.8 +0.9 8.9 15th 47.2 26.1 high 181%
Red Rocks Point 24.3 -0.4 32.6 23rd 16.9 +0.5 10.2 2nd 5.8 20.1 low 29%
South East (district 12)
Bulga Downs 36.9 +0.8 44.1 26th 20.7 +0.6 15.9 7th
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport 33.3 +1.3 41.7 31st 17.1 +0.5 10.8 7th 14.4 16.5 average 87%
Laverton Aero 35.4 +1.6 43.1 26th 20.2 +0.5 15.8 4th 75.4 29.9 highest 252%
Leinster Aero 37.2 +1.8 44.2 31st 21.8 +0.6 14.7 10th 18.8 26.1 average 72%
Leonora Aero 36.1 +0.9 44.0 26th 21.0 +0.2 15.8 7th 53.2 17.5 v high 304%
Munglinup West 28.3 +0.9 39.3 23rd 12.4 -0.2 6.3 7th 5.8 28.2 low 21%
Norseman Aero 32.7 +1.7 40.9 26th 14.2 +0.3 6.4 7th 14.0 20.7 average 68%
Salmon Gums Res.Stn. 30.8 +1.8 40.1 23rd 12.2 0.0 3.5 13th 9.6 19.8 average 48%
Southern Cross Airfield 33.6 +0.8 41.1 25th 16.7 +1.2 10.2 7th 20.0 15.8 high 127%
North East (district 13)
Carnegie 39.8 +2.3 46.5 27th 23.4 +1.2 15.9 18th 15.1 24.7 average 61%
Giles Meteorological Office 38.3 +2.5 45.1 28th 22.7 +0.8 14.4 15th 65.4 47.3 high 138%
Telfer Aero 43.2 +2.9 47.4 27th 27.8 +2.3 21.9 17th 12.6 47.7 average 26%
Warburton Airfield 38.7 +2.0 47.4 28th 22.8 +1.4 17.5 14th 30.0 31.7 average 95%
Wiluna 38.5 +1.6 47.0 31st 23.0 +1.9 17.0 18th 24.9 22.3 high 112%
Wiluna Aero 39.1   46.4 31st 23.2   18.4 17th 26.2
Offshore Islands (district 200)
Adele Island 30.9   32.2 24th 27.2   25.8 18th
Browse Island 29.5   32.5 24th 27.7   22.8 22nd
Rowley Shoals 27.8   30.1 30th      
Varanus Island 30.1 -1.1 33.9 27th 23.8 -1.1 20.9 17th 0 2.6 v low 0%

Notes

The Monthly climate summary, generally published on the first working day of each month, lists the main features of the weather in Western 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 9 am on Wednesday 2 January 2019. 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.

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