Monday, 2 March 2009 - Seasonal Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC13R0

South Australia in summer 2008−09
A mild start and extreme finish leaves an average season overall.

Summary

  • Summer rainfall generally near average but from a wet start and dry late January and February.
  • Temperatures were above average despite a cooler start to the season, with a very significant heatwave event in late January and early February.

An archive of previous seasonal summaries for South Australia is also available, as are summaries for other states and many other climate summaries and diagnostics.

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Rainfall

Summer rainfall over South Australia was mostly average to above average apart from some areas in the eastern part of the state where it was slightly below average. Most of the rain fell during the first few weeks of December 2008.

For the January/February months of 2009the pastoral districts reported totals that were generally very much below average except some areas in the northeast of the state where near average rainfall was received. Over all of the agricultural areas rainfall was very much below average except in the southern areas where they recorded their lowest rainfall for the start of a year.

Rainfall totals in the pastoral areas were generally in the 25 to 100 mm range, with higher totals greater than 100 mm in the northwest and less than 25 mm in the northeast. Marla Police Station recorded 128.2 mm, the highest in the pastoral districts.

Totals in the agricultural areas were generally between 50 mm and 100 mm with some areas receiving more than 100 mm and some less than 50 mm. The highest rainfall for this summer was 154.6 mm at Nangwarry Forestry SA Depot.

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

Temperature

Despite the mild start to the season, a very significant heatwave event across southern Australia in late January and early February saw the season as a whole ending up warmer than average.

For details of the heatwave event please see the Special Climate Statement.

Maximum Temperature

Mean maximum temperatures over the pastoral districts of the state were near average up to 2°C warmer than normal and ranged from 37.8°C at Marree in the Far North district down to 32.7°C at Yunta in the Northeast district. The highest recorded maximum temperature for this summer was on the 7th February of 47.5°C at the Gluepot Reserve.

Mean maximum temperatures in the agricultural districts ranged from 21.8°C at Mount Lofty in the Mount Lofty Ranges to 33.6°C at Hawker in the Upper North district. The range of mean maximum temperatures was from near average to about 2°C above the long term normals for the agricultural areas. The highest recorded maximum temperature for this summer was on the 7th February of 48.2°C at the Renmark Aerodrome and Kyancutta.

Many places recorded their highest summer maximum temperature.

Minimum Temperature

Mean minimum temperatures over the whole state were generally between 0.5°C to 1.5°C above average.

In the pastoral districts they ranged from 14.6°C at the Gluepot Reserve in the Northeast district to 23.8°C at Moomba Airport in the Far North district. The lowest recorded minimum temperature for summer 2008/09 in the pastoral areas was 7.0°C recorded at the Gluepot Reserve on 25th February 2009. The warmest recorded minimum temperature was 33.7°C at Roxby Downs on the 7th February 2009.

Over the agricultural districts mean minimum temperatures were also generally up to 1°C above average ranging from 10.7°C at Naracoorte Aerodrome in the Lower South East district to 18.6°C at Port Augusta in the Western Agricultural district.

The lowest recorded minimum temperature for summer was 0.6°C at Keith (Munkora) on 8th December 2008 whilst the highest recorded minimum temperature was 33.9°C at Adelaide (Kent Town) on 29th January 2009.

Some sites had their highest summer temperature on record.

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

Some sites had their lowest summer temperature on record.

Some sites had their warmest summer night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record.

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		 48.2°C at Kyancutta on 28 Jan 2009
48.2°C at Renmark Aero on 7 Feb 2009
Warmest days on average
Highest mean daily maximum temperature		 37.8°C at Marree Comparison
Coolest days on average
Lowest mean daily maximum temperature		 22.0°C at Neptune Island
Coldest day
Lowest daily maximum temperature		 14.9°C at Mount Gambier Aero on 13 Dec 2008
Coldest night
Lowest temperature		 0.0°C at Murray Bridge Comparison on 12 Feb 2009
Coolest nights on average
Lowest mean daily minimum temperature		 10.7°C at Naracoorte Aerodrome
Warmest nights on average
Highest mean daily minimum temperature		 23.8°C at Moomba Airport
Warmest night
Highest daily minimum temperature		 33.9°C at Adelaide (Kent Town) on 29 Jan 2009
Wettest overall
Highest total rainfall		 154.6 mm at Nangwarry Forestry SA Depot
Highest wind gust
 113 km/h at Coober Pedy Airport on 5 Dec 2008

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Records



Record highest summer temperature
Highest temperature
in summer 2008−09 (°C) 		Previous highest
for summer		 Years of
record		 Average for
summer
Mount Gambier Aero 43.6 on 29 Jan 2009 = 43.6 on 16 Feb 1983 68 24.4
Adelaide Airport 44.0 on 28 Jan 2009 = 44.0 on 30 Jan 1968 55 27.2
Mount Barker 44.5 on 28 Jan 2009 43.0 on 23 Jan 1982 53 26.3
Yongala 44.0 on 7 Feb 2009 43.4 on 25 Jan 2003 53 29.8
Keith 45.5 on 28 Jan 2009 45.4 on 25 Jan 2003 48 29.1
Eudunda 43.9 on 7 Feb 2009 43.5 on 14 Feb 2004 45 28.3
Meningie 45.1 on 28 Jan 2009 43.6 on 14 Feb 2004 43 25.5
Murray Bridge Comparison 46.6 on 28 Jan 2009 46.4 on 14 Feb 2004 43 28.6
Adelaide (Kent Town) 45.7 on 28 Jan 2009 44.3 on 14 Feb 2004 33 28.4
Maitland 45.0 on 28 Jan 2009 43.9 on 21 Jan 2006 28 27.9
Loxton Research Centre 47.1 on 7 Feb 2009 45.7 on 14 Jan 2001 25 30.8
Whyalla Aero 48.0 on 7 Feb 2009 47.1 on 25 Jan 2003 25 29.2


Record highest summer daily minimum temperature
Highest daily minimum
temperature
in summer 2008−09 (°C) 		Previous highest
for summer		 Years of
record		 Average for
summer
Ceduna AMO 32.7 on 29 Jan 2009 32.6 on 27 Jan 1961 69 14.7
Murray Bridge Comparison 29.1 on 29 Jan 2009 28.2 on 24 Jan 1982 43 14.1
Kimba 31.5 on 29 Jan 2009 30.6 on 22 Jan 2006 42 15.2
Adelaide (Kent Town) 33.9 on 29 Jan 2009 33.5 on 24 Jan 1982 33 16.5
Whyalla Aero 32.5 on 29 Jan 2009 31.9 on 22 Jan 2006 25 17.0


Record lowest summer temperature
Lowest temperature
in summer 2008−09 (°C) 		Previous lowest
for summer		 Years of
record		 Average for
summer
Murray Bridge Comparison 0.0 on 12 Feb 2009 4.0 on 20 Dec 1971 43 14.1


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Summaries

In this table, key sites have been highlighted to make them easier to find. This table is very wide and may not fit if printed.

Summary statistics for summer 2008−09
Maximum temperatures
for summer
(°C)		 Minimum temperatures
for summer
(°C)		 Rainfall
for summer
(millimetres)
Mean for
summer
2008−09		 Diff
from
average		 Highest for
summer
2008−09		 Mean for
summer
2008−09		 Diff
from
average		 Lowest for
summer
2008−09		 Total for
summer
2008−09		 Average
for
summer		 Rank of
summer
2008−09		 Fraction of
summer
average
Northwest (district 16)
Andamooka 36.1 +0.6 46.0 6 Feb 2009 20.9 +0.4 13.4 14 Dec 2008 33.6 59.9 average 56%
Coober Pedy Airport 35.6   45.0 6 Feb 2009 21.4   12.4 14 Dec 2008 67.2
Ernabella 34.6   42.1 6 Feb 2009 21.0   12.3 13 Dec 2008 96.6
Nonning 33.1 +0.6 45.5 7 Feb 2009 16.7 +0.6 9.4 15 Dec 2008 87.4 51.2 high 171%
Roxby Downs 35.7   46.5 6 Feb 2009 20.2   11.5 3 Jan 2009 23.4
Tarcoola Aero 35.7   47.4 7 Feb 2009 18.9   11.9 15 Dec 2008 33.6
Woomera Aerodrome 34.5 +1.1 46.2 7 Feb 2009 19.4 +0.6 11.4 14 Dec 2008 54.6 48.6 average 112%
Far North (district 17)
Arkaroola 34.0 +0.6 43.4 7 Feb 2009 19.8 +0.8 12.4 11 Feb 2009 95.4 92.1 high 104%
Leigh Creek Airport 35.4 +1.2 45.4 6 Feb 2009 20.5 +0.7 10.8 15 Dec 2008 47.2 68.5 average 69%
Marree Aero 37.4   46.9 7 Feb 2009 22.0   13.3 15 Dec 2008 49.2
Marree Comparison 37.8 +0.9 47.0 6 Feb 2009 22.3 +1.7 13.4 15 Dec 2008 53.4 54.4 average 98%
Moomba Airport 37.3   45.6 6 Feb 2009 23.8   15.6 15 Dec 2008 7.4
Oodnadatta Airport 37.6 +0.8 46.3 6 Feb 2009 23.4 +1.3 14.3 13 Feb 2009 59.0 72.1 average 82%
Western Agricultural (district 18)
Ceduna AMO 29.4 +1.4 47.5 28 Jan 2009 15.4 +0.7 7.4 8 Dec 2008 60.8 45.3 high 134%
Cleve 28.4 +0.9 45.0 28 Jan 2009 16.0 +0.8 9.0 1 Dec 2008 46.6 63.4 average 74%
Cleve Aerodrome 28.9   46.0 28 Jan 2009 15.1   8.0 8 Dec 2008 40.4 53.5 average 76%
Coulta 26.8   40.9 27 Jan 2009 15.0   8.5 15 Dec 2008 34.4
Cummins Aero 29.4   45.3 28 Jan 2009 14.6   5.5 2 Dec 2008 30.4
Elliston 26.5 +1.3 42.4 27 Jan 2009 15.8 +0.4 9.2 15 Dec 2008 57.6 39.8 high 145%
Kimba 31.6 +1.0 44.6 28 Jan 2009 15.5 +0.3 6.8 2 Dec 2008 46.0 56.9 average 81%
Kyancutta 33.2 +1.2 48.2 28 Jan 2009 14.2 +0.4 6.3 2 Dec 2008 61.2 50.2 high 122%
Minnipa DPI 31.9   46.0 6 Feb 2009 15.4   7.6 2 Dec 2008 59.4
Neptune Island 22.0 +0.5 32.3 13 Jan 2009 16.4 +0.6 11.7 14 Dec 2008 21.6 43.4 low 50%
North Shields 25.9   44.7 13 Jan 2009 15.3   8.4 1 Dec 2008 32.2
Nullarbor 28.1 +0.8 46.9 28 Jan 2009 15.8 +0.7 9.0 8 Dec 2008 56.0 38.0 high 147%
Port Augusta Aero 33.5   48.1 7 Feb 2009 18.6   11.8 15 Dec 2008 65.6
Streaky Bay 29.5 +1.0 43.1 27 Jan 2009 15.9 +0.3 8.1 8 Dec 2008 44.2 38.9 average 114%
Whyalla Aero 29.6 +0.4 48.0 7 Feb 2009 16.9 −0.2 8.9 8 Dec 2008 58.6 60.2 average 97%
Wudinna Aero 32.7   46.9 6 Feb 2009 14.6   6.7 2 Dec 2008 62.4
Upper North (district 19)
Hawker 33.6 +0.5 44.5 7 Feb 2009 17.8 +0.6 9.3 15 Dec 2008 44.3 62.5 average 71%
Yongala 30.9 +1.1 44.0 7 Feb 2009 13.4 +0.7 4.8 2 Dec 2008 60.0 66.7 average 90%
Northeast (district 20)
Gluepot Reserve 32.9   47.5 7 Feb 2009 14.6   7.0 25 Feb 2009 38.9
Yunta Airstrip 32.7   45.3 7 Feb 2009 15.4   7.6 15 Dec 2008 24.8
Lower North (district 21)
Clare High School 29.3   43.7 28 Jan 2009 13.7   4.6 2 Dec 2008 88.8
Port Pirie Aerodrome 31.8   45.2 7 Feb 2009 16.2   8.5 8 Dec 2008 83.4
Port Pirie Nyrstar Comparison 31.9 +0.7 45.5 6 Feb 2009 18.1 +0.8 11.0 2 Jan 2009 116.1 59.2 high 196%
Snowtown 32.1   46.0 7 Feb 2009 13.3   3.9 8 Dec 2008 52.4
Yorke Peninsula (district 22A)
Edithburgh 24.9   44.9 29 Jan 2009 16.1   7.9 15 Dec 2008 26.2
Kadina AWS 31.0   47.0 28 Jan 2009 14.0   4.9 8 Dec 2008 29.2
Maitland 29.0 +1.0 45.0 28 Jan 2009 15.7 +0.7 9.6 19 Dec 2008 52.7 61.5 average 86%
Minlaton Aero 28.6   45.6 28 Jan 2009 14.7   6.0 8 Dec 2008 21.4
Stenhouse Bay 24.4   42.7 29 Jan 2009 16.3   10.0 8 Dec 2008 13.6
Warooka 27.0 +0.4 41.5 29 Jan 2009 15.6 +0.6 8.8 1 Dec 2008 19.4 47.5 low 41%
Kangaroo Island (district 22B)
Cape Borda 23.2   40.0 28 Jan 2009 14.2   7.6 8 Dec 2008 31.9
Kingscote Aero 26.7   43.8 29 Jan 2009 12.2   3.3 8 Dec 2008 28.8
Adelaide Plains (district 23A)
Adelaide 29.6 +1.2 45.7 28 Jan 2009 17.4 +0.8 9.4 8 Dec 2008 42.2 60.4 low 70%
Adelaide Airport 28.0 +0.8 44.0 28 Jan 2009 16.5 +1.0 7.7 8 Dec 2008 31.6 60.0 low 53%
Edinburgh RAAF 29.8 +0.6 45.8 28 Jan 2009 16.3 +0.4 7.6 8 Dec 2008 48.4 58.9 average 82%
Parafield Airport 30.2 +1.5 45.6 28 Jan 2009 15.9 +0.1 8.5 8 Dec 2008 40.4 63.2 low 64%
Roseworthy AWS 30.8   46.7 28 Jan 2009 14.2   3.7 8 Dec 2008 51.6
County Light (district 23B)
Nuriootpa Viticultural 29.1   44.1 28 Jan 2009 13.4   6.1 2 Dec 2008 80.8
Rosedale 30.5 +0.8 46.3 7 Feb 2009 14.5 −0.2 4.6 8 Dec 2008 56.9 59.9 average 95%
Mount Lofty Ranges (district 23°C)
Hindmarsh Island AWS 24.9   45.1 28 Jan 2009 15.1   7.9 25 Feb 2009 25.6
Kuitpo Forest Reserve 25.8   42.7 28 Jan 2009 13.6   6.9 8 Dec 2008 42.2
Mount Barker 28.8 +2.5 44.5 28 Jan 2009 11.6 +0.3 2.7 8 Dec 2008 37.4 85.7 low 44%
Mount Crawford Fire Tower 27.1   43.3 28 Jan 2009 13.4   5.9 8 Dec 2008 34.8
Noarlunga 27.7   44.6 28 Jan 2009 16.6   9.3 8 Dec 2008 32.0
Parawa 23.3   42.5 28 Jan 2009 13.3   6.7 8 Dec 2008 65.6
Victor Harbor 24.9   45.6 28 Jan 2009 13.8   4.2 8 Dec 2008 43.6
Upper Murray Valley (district 24A)
Loxton Research Centre 31.9 +1.2 47.1 7 Feb 2009 13.9 0.0 6.6 2 Dec 2008 41.0 53.8 average 76%
Renmark Aero 32.8   48.2 7 Feb 2009 15.0   8.1 2 Dec 2008 33.8
Lower Murray Valley (district 24B)
Eudunda 29.5 +1.2 43.9 7 Feb 2009 14.0 +0.6 6.3 8 Dec 2008 68.8 69.4 average 99%
Meningie 26.4 +0.8 45.1 28 Jan 2009 14.2 +0.7 6.1 8 Dec 2008 32.2 58.3 low 55%
Murray Bridge 29.8   48.0 28 Jan 2009 13.3   6.9 3 Jan 2009 31.4
Murray Bridge Comparison 30.4 +1.8 46.6 28 Jan 2009 14.1 +0.1 0.0 12 Feb 2009 41.7 57.7 average 72%
Strathalbyn Racecourse 27.4   46.3 28 Jan 2009 13.6   5.8 8 Dec 2008 27.6
Murray Mallee (district 25A)
Karoonda 30.4   46.1 7 Feb 2009 13.3   6.3 8 Dec 2008 76.3 60.2 high 127%
Upper Southeast (district 25B)
Keith 29.2 +0.2 45.5 28 Jan 2009 12.9 +0.3 4.0 8 Dec 2008 47.5 64.7 average 73%
Keith 29.9   46.7 28 Jan 2009 11.3   0.6 8 Dec 2008 47.6
Lameroo 30.8   47.6 7 Feb 2009 13.1   4.4 8 Dec 2008 63.2
Lameroo Comparison 30.5 +0.4 46.4 7 Feb 2009 13.9 +0.9 6.8 8 Dec 2008 54.2 65.5 average 83%
Lower Southeast (district 26)
Cape Jaffa 23.5   38.6 27 Jan 2009 13.2   7.1 3 Jan 2009 115.6
Coonawarra 26.7 +0.4 44.5 28 Jan 2009 10.8 −0.2 2.6 2 Jan 2009 99.2 80.6 average 123%
Mount Gambier Aero 24.6 +0.3 43.6 29 Jan 2009 11.4 +0.5 4.0 3 Jan 2009 125.0 90.3 high 138%
Naracoorte Aerodrome 28.3   45.7 28 Jan 2009 10.7   1.9 25 Feb 2009 92.2
Padthaway South 27.9   45.1 28 Jan 2009 11.6   3.4 8 Dec 2008 97.0
Robe Airfield 23.4   39.9 28 Jan 2009 12.2   4.7 5 Jan 2009 98.8
Robe Comparison 22.1 0.0 36.7 28 Jan 2009 13.9 +0.6 8.2 3 Jan 2009 89.8 66.7 high 135%

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Notes

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 8 am on Monday 2 March 2009. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

Averages 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 20 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.

Further information

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