Thursday, 8 March 2007 - Seasonal Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC23R0

South Australia in Summer 2006-07
Above Average Rain, Some Flooding in the North

Summary

South Australia's summer was generally warmer than average, particularly through February. Areas of the state received above average rainfall, chiefly from a widespread January rain event which produced some flooding.

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Rainfall

South Australian summer rainfall was mostly average to above average, with very much above average totals over central and northeast areas of the state, mainly due to widespread rainfall in mid to late January, producing some local flooding in the mid-North of the State. Isolated small areas of below and very much below average were confined to coastal parts of the Western Agricultural districts, the northwest corner of the state and a small pocket east of Marree.

Summer rainfall totals in excess of 100 mm were reported from many stations in all districts, except Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Plains districts where all totals were below 50mm. Much of the Far North, Western Agricultural and Yorke Peninsula districts recorded totals below 50mm.

The remaining districts of the State reported totals mainly in the range 50 to 100mm.

The highest summer rainfall in the State was 211 mm at Hawker, in the Upper North district.

Some sites had their highest total summer rainfall for at least 20 years.

Some sites had their lowest total summer rainfall for at least 20 years.

See a map of total rainfall. See a map of rainfall deciles.

Temperature

Above average to very much above average temperatures were experienced across the State this Summer. Mean maximum temperatures were as much as 3 °C above average, and mean minimum temperatures as much as 2°C above average. This was particularly the case during February when maximum temperatures were as much as 5 to 6 degrees above average in the north and west.

Some sites had their highest summer temperature on record.

Some sites had their highest summer mean daily maximum temperature on record.

See a map of mean maximum temperatures. See a map of maximum temperature anomalies.

See a map of mean minimum temperatures. See a map of minimum temperature anomalies.

Further information

South Australian Regional Office
South Australian Climate Services Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
Phone (08) 8366 2600
Email climate.sa@bom.gov.au

Extremes

Hottest day
Highest temperature		 47.6 °C at Nullarbor on 17 Feb 2007
Warmest days on average
Highest mean daily maximum temperature		 38.1 °C at Marree Comparison
Coolest days on average
Lowest mean daily maximum temperature		 22.2 °C at Cape Willoughby
Coldest day
Lowest daily maximum temperature		 14.1 °C at Parawa (Second Valley Forest AWS) on 25 Dec 2006
Coldest night
Lowest temperature		 1.0 °C at Naracoorte Aerodrome on 7 Dec 2006
1.0 °C at Robe Airfield on 7 Dec 2006
1.0 °C at Naracoorte Aerodrome on 12 Dec 2006
1.0 °C at Naracoorte Aerodrome on 16 Dec 2006
Coolest nights on average
Lowest mean daily minimum temperature		 11.9 °C at Naracoorte Aerodrome
Warmest nights on average
Highest mean daily minimum temperature		 23.6 °C at Moomba Airport
Warmest night
Highest daily minimum temperature		 32.7 °C at Oodnadatta Airport on 5 Jan 2007
Wettest overall
Highest total rainfall		 211.0 mm at Hawker
Highest wind gust
 117 km/h at Tarcoola Aero on 20 Feb 2007

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Records

Highest total summer rainfall for at least 20 years
Total rainfall
for summer 2006-07 (mm) 		Most recent higher
for summer 		Normal for
summer		 Years of
record
Orroroo (Black Rock) 191.8 257.5 in 1945 59.8 60
Warooka 103.5 157.3 in 1971 47.7 35
Crystal Brook 143.4 169.6 in 1972 60.6 34
Port Germein 132.6 149.5 in 1973 57.1 33
Georgetown 168.5 173.8 in 1972 65.3 32
Port Pirie Zinifex Comparison 152.6 169.0 in 1979 59.0 27
Whyalla Aero 123.0 251.5 in 1945 55.4 24
Policemans Point 109.0 111.2 in 1980 60.3 23


Lowest total summer rainfall for at least 20 years
Total rainfall
for summer 2006-07 (mm) 		Most recent lower
for summer 		Normal for
summer		 Years of
record
Ceduna AMO 4.4 1.6 in 1964 45.0 42
Penong 8.2 0.0 in 1964 40.3 41
Smoky Bay 4.2 3.6 in 1978 37.9 28


Record highest summer mean daily maximum temperature
Mean daily maximum
temperature
for summer 2006-07 (°C) 		Previous highest
for summer 		Normal for
summer		 Years of
record
Murray Bridge Comparison 31.2 30.8 in 2000 28.4 40


Record highest summer temperature
Highest temperature
in summer 2006-07 (°C) 		Previous highest
for summer 		Normal for
summer		 Years of
record
Elliston 43.5 on 17 Feb 2007 43.2 on 19 Feb 1980 25.2 46


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Summaries

 In the following table, certain key sites have been highlighted to make them easier to identify.

Summary statistics for summer 2006-07
Maximum temperatures
for summer
(°C)		 Minimum temperatures
for summer
(°C)		 Rainfall
for summer
(millimetres)
Mean for
summer
2006-07		 Diff
from
normal		 Highest for
summer
2006-07		 Mean for
summer
2006-07		 Diff
from
normal		 Lowest for
summer
2006-07		 Total for
summer
2006-07		 Normal
for
summer		 Rank of
summer
2006-07		 Fraction of
summer
normal
Northwest (district 16)
Andamooka 35.8 +0.3 43.7 5 Feb 2007 21.1 +0.6 12.8 28 Jan 2007 57.7 61.4 normal 94%
Coober Pedy Airport 35.8 +0.5 44.0 10 Jan 2007 21.8 +0.6 13.4 26 Dec 2006 104.2 47.0 highest 222%
Nonning 33.0 +0.6 42.9 10 Jan 2007 17.6 +1.5 10.7 3 Dec 2006 167.5 50.9 very high 329%
Roxby Downs 35.6 -0.3 44.0 5 Feb 2007 20.5 +0.6 13.0 3 Dec 2006 81.4 44.6 high 183%
Woomera Aerodrome 34.4 +1.0 43.6 10 Jan 2007 19.9 +1.2 11.8 26 Dec 2006 81.8 48.3 high 169%
Far North (district 17)
Arkaroola 33.7 +0.4 41.9 5 Feb 2007 19.5 +0.6 10.5 16 Dec 2006 32.4 93.1 low 35%
Leigh Creek Airport 35.0 +0.9 42.9 5 Feb 2007 20.7 +0.9 11.1 27 Dec 2006 96.8 71.4 normal 136%
Marree Aero 37.4 44.6 5 Feb 2007 22.3 12.3 27 Dec 2006 42.8
Marree Comparison 38.1 +1.3 45.9 5 Feb 2007 22.0 +1.5 12.1 26 Dec 2006 50.2 54.5 normal 92%
Moomba Airport 36.5 -0.8 44.3 11 Jan 2007 23.6 +0.1 14.5 27 Dec 2006 67.4 58.3 normal 116%
Oodnadatta Airport 37.8 +0.9 44.5 5 Jan 2007 23.5 +1.4 13.8 28 Dec 2006 45.4 73.1 normal 62%
Western Agricultural (district 18)
Ceduna AMO 29.3 +1.3 45.1 17 Feb 2007 15.3 +0.6 6.4 3 Dec 2006 4.4 45.0 very low 10%
Cleve 28.4 +1.0 41.6 9 Dec 2006 16.7 +1.6 9.3 2 Dec 2006 59.2 63.7 normal 93%
Cleve Aerodrome 28.5 +0.3 42.9 9 Dec 2006 16.2 +1.0 8.8 2 Dec 2006 54.2 54.2 normal 100%
Coulta 27.6 +1.1 41.2 17 Feb 2007 15.3 +0.8 8.0 12 Dec 2006 42.0 41.1 normal 102%
Elliston 26.8 +1.6 43.5 17 Feb 2007 16.1 +0.8 8.9 30 Dec 2006 33.8 39.8 normal 85%
Kimba 32.0 +1.6 42.2 4 Feb 2007 17.0 +1.8 9.0 2 Dec 2006 76.2 57.1 high 133%
Kyancutta 33.5 +1.5 44.0 9 Dec 2006 15.7 +1.9 8.0 3 Dec 2006 44.5 49.8 normal 89%
Minnipa DPI 32.5 +0.5 42.9 4 Feb 2007 16.3 +1.0 7.5 3 Dec 2006 21.2 36.3 normal 58%
Neptune Island 22.3 +0.8 31.5 17 Feb 2007 16.4 +0.6 11.6 25 Dec 2006 27.8 44.0 normal 63%
North Shields 26.5 +1.3 44.1 17 Feb 2007 15.9 +0.7 10.2 1 Dec 2006 30.6 47.4 normal 65%
Nullarbor 29.0 +1.6 47.6 17 Feb 2007 16.0 +0.8 9.4 3 Dec 2006 20.4 37.7 normal 54%
Port Augusta Aero 33.6 43.8 10 Jan 2007 19.3 11.8 26 Dec 2006 75.0
Streaky Bay 30.1 +1.6 41.0 4 Feb 2007 17.2 +1.5 9.4 3 Dec 2006 9.6 38.8 very low 25%
Whyalla Aero 30.1 +1.0 44.0 10 Jan 2007 17.9 +1.0 9.8 4 Dec 2006 123.0 55.4 very high 222%
Wudinna Aero 33.0 43.9 9 Dec 2006 15.8 5.6 3 Dec 2006 41.8
Upper North (district 19)
Hawker 33.3 +0.2 42.0 9 Dec 2006 17.9 +0.7 9.3 26 Dec 2006 211.0 62.9 very high 335%
Yongala 30.7 +1.0 39.8 9 Dec 2006 14.4 +1.8 3.9 3 Dec 2006 117.6 67.1 high 175%
Northeast (district 20)
Gluepot Reserve 33.0 43.1 5 Feb 2007 15.4 4.9 26 Dec 2006 65.3
Yunta Airstrip 32.2 41.6 5 Feb 2007 15.9 7.8 26 Dec 2006 119.6
Lower North (district 21)
Clare High School 29.8 +0.8 39.9 9 Dec 2006 14.6 +0.7 4.6 3 Dec 2006 117.0 78.6 high 149%
Port Pirie Aerodrome 32.2 42.5 9 Dec 2006 17.5 7.4 3 Dec 2006 137.7
Port Pirie Zinifex Comparison 32.6 +1.4 43.0 4 Feb 2007 18.9 +1.7 10.0 26 Dec 2006 152.6 59.0 very high 259%
Snowtown 31.9 42.6 4 Feb 2007 14.9 3.8 3 Dec 2006 81.2
Yorke Peninsula (district 22A)
Edithburgh 25.6 +1.2 42.3 10 Jan 2007 16.5 +0.5 9.6 14 Dec 2006 50.6 43.1 normal 117%
Kadina AWS 31.2 43.0 9 Dec 2006 15.4 7.0 4 Dec 2006 50.6
Maitland 29.5 +1.5 41.3 9 Dec 2006 16.6 +1.5 8.8 25 Dec 2006 51.8 62.9 normal 82%
Minlaton Aero 29.4 41.7 17 Feb 2007 15.2 5.2 25 Dec 2006 51.0
Stenhouse Bay 25.1 +1.1 42.5 17 Feb 2007 16.5 +0.4 9.9 4 Dec 2006 34.0 48.0 low 71%
Warooka 27.1 +0.5 39.2 9 Dec 2006 16.3 +1.4 10.0 2 Dec 2006 103.5 47.7 very high 217%
Kangaroo Island (district 22B)
Cape Borda Comparison 24.8 +2.4 35.2 8 Dec 2006 14.2 +0.6 7.7 12 Dec 2006 32.0 53.3 normal 60%
Cape Willoughby 22.2 +1.0 38.7 17 Feb 2007 16.2 +0.9 10.6 25 Dec 2006 44.8 59.5 normal 75%
Kingscote Aero 27.2 +1.7 41.7 9 Dec 2006 13.0 +0.7 3.0 4 Dec 2006 25.8 47.9 low 54%
Adelaide Plains (district 23A)
Adelaide 30.3 +2.0 41.5 17 Feb 2007 17.6 +1.1 8.8 25 Dec 2006 57.0 61.4 normal 93%
Adelaide Airport 28.9 +1.7 41.2 9 Dec 2006 16.8 +1.4 8.8 25 Dec 2006 58.2 60.8 normal 96%
Edinburgh RAAF 30.7 +1.5 42.3 9 Dec 2006 17.0 +1.1 8.2 25 Dec 2006 60.0 59.5 normal 101%
Parafield Airport 31.1 +2.4 42.7 4 Feb 2007 16.5 +0.7 7.6 25 Dec 2006 50.0 63.7 normal 78%
Roseworthy AWS 32.0 +1.5 43.3 9 Dec 2006 15.5 +1.6 5.0 3 Dec 2006 67.4
County Light (district 23B)
Nuriootpa Viticultural 29.7 +1.0 41.2 9 Dec 2006 14.4 +0.6 4.1 3 Dec 2006 86.0 72.2 normal 119%
Rosedale 31.1 +1.5 41.8 10 Jan 2007 15.7 +1.0 7.2 3 Dec 2006 77.6 60.2 high 129%
Mount Lofty Ranges (district 23C)
Hindmarsh Island AWS 25.4 42.1 9 Dec 2006 15.7 8.5 7 Dec 2006 51.6
Kuitpo Forest Reserve 26.5 38.8 4 Feb 2007 14.1 6.2 25 Dec 2006 88.6
Mount Barker 29.0 +2.8 41.2 4 Feb 2007 12.4 +1.1 4.9 12 Dec 2006 64.1 86.0 normal 75%
Mount Crawford Fire Tower 27.4 +1.2 38.1 9 Dec 2006 13.8 +0.5 4.5 12 Dec 2006 113.4 73.3 high 155%
Noarlunga 28.4 40.6 9 Dec 2006 16.9 7.6 25 Dec 2006 43.4
Parawa 24.0 +1.7 37.4 17 Feb 2007 13.8 +1.0 6.7 25 Dec 2006 158.6 92.2 highest 172%
Victor Harbor 25.2 41.8 17 Feb 2007 14.2 6.1 17 Dec 2006 62.2
Upper Murray Valley (district 24A)
Loxton Research Centre 32.0 +1.4 42.0 5 Feb 2007 14.8 +1.0 5.8 3 Dec 2006 71.6 55.5 high 129%
Renmark Aero 33.0 +0.5 44.0 5 Feb 2007 16.1 +0.7 7.0 17 Dec 2006 39.8 47.0 normal 85%
Lower Murray Valley (district 24B)
Eudunda 29.9 +1.7 40.2 9 Dec 2006 14.4 +1.1 5.4 25 Dec 2006 120.2 69.7 high 172%
Meningie 27.0 +1.5 41.7 9 Dec 2006 14.6 +1.1 5.0 12 Dec 2006 58.3 58.6 normal 99%
Murray Bridge 30.7 43.1 9 Dec 2006 14.0 5.1 4 Dec 2006 50.6
Murray Bridge Comparison 31.2 +2.8 43.0 4 Feb 2007 14.8 +0.7 6.4 12 Dec 2006 53.9 58.1 normal 93%
Strathalbyn Racecourse 28.1 +1.1 41.4 17 Feb 2007 14.4 +0.5 5.9 7 Dec 2006 51.4 58.2 normal 88%
Murray Mallee (district 25A)
Karoonda 31.2 43.0 9 Dec 2006 14.1 6.1 17 Dec 2006 76.5 60.3 high 127%
Upper Southeast (district 25B)
Keith 30.4 +1.3 42.6 9 Dec 2006 13.9 +1.3 4.5 12 Dec 2006 80.1 65.2 high 123%
Keith 30.6 44.0 9 Dec 2006 12.9 2.8 26 Dec 2006 81.8
Lameroo Comparison 31.5 +1.4 42.7 9 Dec 2006 14.8 +1.8 5.2 26 Dec 2006 102.2 66.0 high 155%
Lower Southeast (district 26)
Cape Jaffa 25.0 +1.1 39.9 17 Feb 2007 13.5 +0.4 4.7 17 Dec 2006 60.8 52.0 high 117%
Coonawarra 28.4 +2.2 42.3 9 Dec 2006 12.0 +1.0 1.1 4 Dec 2006 114.7 82.6 high 139%
Mount Gambier Aero 26.6 +2.3 42.4 9 Dec 2006 12.1 +1.2 2.1 7 Dec 2006 76.8 90.4 normal 85%
Naracoorte Aerodrome 29.6 43.0 9 Dec 2006 11.9 1.0 7 Dec 2006 91.8
Padthaway South 29.1 42.2 9 Dec 2006 12.7 2.9 12 Dec 2006 72.8
Robe Airfield 25.2 40.0 9 Dec 2006 12.5 1.0 7 Dec 2006 63.4
Robe Comparison 23.1 +1.1 36.0 17 Feb 2007 14.1 +0.8 6.1 16 Dec 2006 58.2 66.8 normal 87%

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Notes

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 11 am on Thursday 8 March 2007. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

Normals 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 "normal" 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, normal in decile 4 to 7, high in decile 8 or 9 and very high is in decile 10).
The Fraction of normal shows how much rain has fallen this time as a percentage of the long-term mean.

Further information

South Australian Regional Office
South Australian Climate Services Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
Phone (08) 8366 2600
Email climate.sa@bom.gov.au