Thursday, 1 December 2011 - Seasonal Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC13R0

South Australia in spring 2011: A warm spring, with above average rainfall in the North.

  • Warmer spring days as South Australian maximum temperatures exceed the long term average by 1 to 2 °C.
  • Drier than average spring rainfall for many coastal districts but wetter than average across northern parts of the state.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Rainfall

Averaged across the state as a whole, South Australia received ~30% more rainfall in spring 2011 than the long-term spring average. This comes after a record wettest spring in 2010. While the far Northwest and parts of the far Northeast of the state received well above average rainfall in spring 2011, rainfall totals across much of the rest state were close to average, though tending below average in the southern agricultural areas.

See a map of rainfall deciles.

Spring began with well below average rainfall in September across much of the state. Rainfall was mostly average during October, although areas in the state's west received well above average rainfall. The season finished with well above average November rainfall across northern areas of the state while southern and coastal districts received average to below average November rainfall.

Pastoral Districts

Spring rainfall was average to well above across the pastoral districts. Rainfall totals varied typically between 50 to 100mm, with some locations recording larger totals in isolated thunderstorm events. The highest spring rainfall total in the pastoral districts was at Manna Hill, in the Northeast, which recorded 128.6 mm.

Agricultural Districts

Rainfall totals were average across most parts, though tending to below average through the southern agricultural areas including the Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, the Mount Lofty Ranges and parts of the Southeast districts. These districts generally received 70-80% of average spring rainfall.

Rainfall totals were typically 80 to 180mm throughout agricultural districts for the spring season. The highest total for the state was 211.3 mm at Piccadilly (Woodhouse) in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Some sites had their highest spring daily rainfall on record.

Temperature

Temperatures across South Australia were above average to very much above average during spring 2011. The spring daily average temperature for South Australia as a whole was 1.0 °C warmer than the long term spring average, in comparison to spring 2010 which was 1.1°C cooler than average. The warmest spring for South Australia was recorded in 2006 where temperatures were 2.1 °C above the long term average.

Maximum Temperature

Maximum temperatures were above average this spring, with temperatures generally up to 1 to 2°C above the average across most of the agricultural areas. Maximum temperatures were slightly cooler than average in the far northwest of the state. See a map of maximum temperature anomalies. Average maximum temperatures ranged from 17.2 °C at Mount Lofty to 31.2 °C at Moomba Airport in the far Northeast of the state.

The warmest spring daily maximum temperature was 43.4°C recorded at Oodnadatta Airport in the far North on the 29th of November. The coldest daily maximum was 7.9 °C at Mount Lofty on the 10th of September.

Minimum Temperature

Minimum temperatures were also above the long term average this spring. Large areas of the western agricultural region had temperatures in excess of 1°C above the long term spring minimum average. Minimum temperatures were only slightly above average for most other districts. See a map of minimum temperature anomalies. Average minimum temperatures for the whole season ranged from 6.9°C at Keith (Munkora) in the Southeast to 15.9 °C at Oodnadatta Airport.

The lowest overnight spring minimum temperature recorded was -3.6 °C at Yongala on the 7th of September. The highest minimum temperature recorded was 27.8°C at Oodnadatta on the 19th of November.

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 in spring 2011
Hottest day 43.4 °C at Oodnadatta Airport on 29 Nov
Warmest days on average 31.3 °C at Moomba Airport
Coolest days on average 17.2 °C at Mount Lofty
Coldest day 7.9 °C at Mount Lofty on 10 Sep
Coldest night -3.6 °C at Yongala on 7 Sep
Coolest nights on average 6.9 °C at Keith (Munkora)
Warmest nights on average 15.9 °C at Oodnadatta Airport
Warmest night 27.8 °C at Oodnadatta Airport on 19 Nov
Warmest on average overall 23.2 °C at Oodnadatta Airport
Coolest on average overall 12.8 °C at Mount Lofty
Wettest overall 211.3 mm at Piccadilly (Woodhouse)
Highest wind gust 120 km/h at Marree Aero on 8 Nov

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Record highest spring daily rainfall
Highest daily rainfall
in spring 2011 (mm) 		Previous wettest
for spring		 Years of
record
Kalamurina 48.4 on 22 Nov 34.0 on 25 Nov 2009 28


Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Summary statistics for spring 2011
Maximum temperatures
for spring
(°C)		 Minimum temperatures
for spring
(°C)		 Rainfall
for spring
(millimetres)
Mean for
spring
2011		 Diff
from
average		 Highest for
spring
2011		 Mean for
spring
2011		 Diff
from
average		 Lowest for
spring
2011		 Total for
spring
2011		 Average
for
spring		 Rank of
spring
2011		 Fraction of
spring
average
Northwest (district 16)
Andamooka 29.2 +1.1 39.0 13 Nov 14.6 +1.0 5.8 13 Sep 22.7 47.5 low 48%
Coober Pedy Airport 29.0   40.5 7 Nov 14.6   5.7 7 Sep 29.8
Ernabella (Pukatja) 27.8   37.9 29 Nov 13.0   3.1 13 Sep 101.6
Marla Police Station 29.6 -0.2 41.2 29 Nov 13.8 -0.4 2.6 12 Sep 104.5 57.4 high 182%
Nonning 25.9 +0.8 37.4 18 Nov 11.1 +1.4 1.9 13 Sep 100.4 65.4 high 154%
Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam Aerodrome) 28.8   39.0 7 Nov 13.3   1.5 7 Sep 45.6
Tarcoola Aero 28.5   40.6 18 Nov 12.6   0.7 10 Sep 48.8
Woomera Aerodrome 27.6 +1.5 39.1 18 Nov 13.6 +1.2 5.5 1 Oct 40.4 48.1 average 84%
Far North (district 17)
Arkaroola 27.3 +0.7 38.9 29 Nov 11.6 0.0 1.0 7 Sep 81.9 53.1 high 154%
Leigh Creek Airport 28.4 +1.7 39.2 29 Nov 13.3 +0.7 3.0 13 Sep 42.4 57.9 average 73%
Marree Aero 30.4   43.0 29 Nov 14.1   2.8 7 Sep 36.2
Marree Comparison 30.9 +1.5 42.5 29 Nov 14.3 +1.0 3.6 7 Sep 44.1 36.1 average 122%
Moomba Airport 31.3   43.0 29 Nov 14.8   4.7 13 Sep 86.2
Oodnadatta Airport 30.5 +0.3 43.4 29 Nov 15.9 +0.9 6.2 12 Sep 50.0 37.3 high 134%
Western Agricultural (district 18)
Ceduna AMO 24.7 +1.0 39.1 17 Nov 11.1 +1.1 0.3 25 Sep 66.0 73.2 average 90%
Cleve 23.3 +1.2 35.5 17 Nov 11.4 +1.1 5.0 7 Sep 95.8 106.6 average 90%
Cleve Aerodrome 23.3   36.1 18 Nov 10.6   3.7 25 Sep 74.6 87.8 average 85%
Coulta (Coles Point) 21.6   34.1 5 Nov 10.9   3.1 25 Sep 100.0
Cummins Aero 23.1   36.6 18 Nov     -0.6 10 Sep 80.2
Elliston 22.1 +0.7 34.7 19 Oct 12.4 +1.2 3.5 5 Sep 108.7 89.9 high 121%
Kimba 24.2 +0.6 34.8 18 Nov 9.8 +0.4 1.0 10 Sep 117.8 91.8 high 128%
Kyancutta 25.6 +0.4 37.7 18 Nov 9.5 +1.1 -0.2 25 Sep 80.5 80.0 average 101%
Minnipa Pirsa 25.1   38.3 18 Nov 10.8   2.3 10 Sep 83.2
Neptune Island 18.4 +0.8 24.6 19 Oct 13.5 +1.0 8.0 29 Sep 84.4 92.4 average 91%
North Shields (Port Lincoln AWS) 21.4   36.5 18 Nov 10.3   3.2 13 Sep 74.4
Nullarbor 24.8 +0.7 39.7 17 Nov 11.5 +1.4 3.3 5 Sep 50.0 53.2 average 94%
Port Augusta Aero 27.8   41.5 18 Nov 12.0   1.7 13 Sep 62.2
Streaky Bay 24.1 +1.3 37.2 17 Nov 12.5 +1.0 5.4 8 Sep 76.0 80.9 average 94%
Whyalla Aero 25.0 +1.1 40.6 18 Nov 11.7 +0.9 3.4 1 Sep 76.4 73.4 average 104%
Wudinna Aero 26.2   40.1 18 Nov 9.7   -0.2 10 Sep 72.0
Upper North (district 19)
Hawker 26.9 +1.4 37.5 18 Nov 10.9 +0.9 -0.8 7 Sep 57.8 75.8 average 76%
Yongala 23.7 +1.9 36.4 18 Nov 7.3 +0.9 -3.6 7 Sep 94.7 100.5 average 94%
Northeast (district 20)
Gluepot Reserve (Gluepot) 26.1   39.0 18 Nov 9.2   -1.5 1 Sep 123.5
Yunta Airstrip 25.6   36.5 18 Nov 9.9   -2.1 7 Sep 81.6
Lower North (district 21)
Clare High School 21.9   35.3 18 Nov 9.1   -0.5 7 Sep 129.6
Port Pirie Aerodrome 25.7   38.8 18 Nov 10.9   0.1 13 Sep 85.9
Port Pirie Nyrstar Comparison 25.7 +1.2 37.5 18 Nov 13.3 +1.3 5.1 5 Sep 77.9 92.7 average 84%
Snowtown (Rayville Park) 25.0   39.1 18 Nov 8.1   -0.6 13 Sep 102.0
Yorke Peninsula (district 22A)
Edithburgh 21.0   36.5 18 Nov 11.4   1.6 13 Sep 65.0
Kadina AWS 24.2   37.7 18 Nov 8.6   -1.3 13 Sep 61.8
Maitland 22.5 +1.2 36.0 18 Nov 11.5 +1.4 5.5 25 Sep 92.2 121.9 low 76%
Minlaton Aero 22.6   35.9 18 Nov 10.1   2.5 24 Sep 78.6
Stenhouse Bay 20.2   34.7 5 Nov 12.5   6.3 13 Sep 84.8
Warooka 21.5 +0.9 34.0 18 Nov 11.1 +0.9 5.4 24 Sep 85.4 104.5 average 82%
Kangaroo Island (district 22B)
Cape Borda 18.3   27.9 17 Nov 10.9   4.6 25 Sep 100.4
Cape Willoughby 18.6 +1.1 33.6 18 Nov 12.5 +0.9 7.1 6 Sep 105.2 127.0 average 83%
Kingscote Aero 21.3   34.1 18 Nov 7.8   0.4 17 Oct 70.0
Adelaide Plains (district 23A)
Adelaide (Kent Town) 23.3 +1.3 36.8 18 Nov 12.7 +1.0 5.0 12 Sep 114.6 135.9 average 84%
Adelaide Airport 22.5 +1.5 36.3 18 Nov 12.0 +1.3 4.3 13 Sep 87.8 109.4 average 80%
Edinburgh RAAF 23.6 +1.4 38.3 18 Nov 11.2 +0.9 1.2 25 Sep 94.2 112.9 average 83%
Parafield Airport 24.1 +2.2 38.3 18 Nov 11.3 +0.9 2.6 12 Sep 96.4 113.4 average 85%
Roseworthy AWS 24.3   40.2 18 Nov 8.4   -2.2 25 Sep 111.2
County Light (district 23B)
Nuriootpa Viticultural 22.0   37.2 18 Nov 9.0   -0.1 13 Sep 129.2
Rosedale (Turretfield Research Centre) 23.5 +1.6 39.8 18 Nov 9.2 +0.5 0.6 13 Sep 96.6 126.7 average 76%
Mount Lofty Ranges (district 23C)
Hindmarsh Island AWS 21.7   36.8 18 Nov 11.5   5.0 25 Sep 54.2
Kuitpo Forest Reserve 19.4   32.3 18 Nov 9.9   4.5 25 Sep 153.8
Mount Barker 20.7 +1.2 35.0 18 Nov 8.8 +1.5 1.7 3 Oct 151.2 192.3 low 79%
Mount Crawford (Mt Crawford AWS) 19.3   33.6 18 Nov 9.2   3.0 25 Sep 143.8
Mount Lofty 17.2   29.8 18 Nov 8.3   2.5 25 Sep 181.2
Noarlunga 22.1   33.7 5 Nov 12.4   5.5 12 Sep 83.0
Parawa (Second Valley Forest AWS) 18.0   31.1 18 Nov 9.8   4.8 2 Oct 155.2
Victor Harbor (Encounter Bay) 21.1   36.8 18 Nov 9.5   0.9 13 Sep 96.8
Upper Murray Valley (district 24A)
Loxton Research Centre 25.1 +1.1 39.1 18 Nov 9.5 +0.9 -0.1 7 Sep 74.2 77.1 average 96%
Renmark Aero 26.1   40.0 18 Nov 9.7   -1.2 13 Sep 88.2
Lower Murray Valley (district 24B)
Eudunda 22.2 +1.6 36.8 18 Nov 9.1 +0.9 2.2 12 Sep 109.8 119.7 average 92%
Meningie 21.7 +1.2 34.2 5 Nov 10.3 +0.7 2.4 1 Sep 98.3 115.1 average 85%
Murray Bridge (Pallamana Aerodrome) 23.7   39.4 18 Nov 8.1   -0.9 5 Sep 79.2
Murray Bridge Comparison 24.2 +1.5 39.6 18 Nov 9.9 +0.7 1.6 1 Sep 85.8 96.4 average 89%
Strathalbyn Racecourse 22.1   37.3 18 Nov 9.8   1.1 25 Sep 79.6
Murray Mallee (district 25A)
Karoonda 24.2   39.5 18 Nov 8.8   0.0 20 Sep 82.8 92.3 average 90%
Upper Southeast (district 25B)
Keith 23.1 +1.5 39.8 18 Nov 9.3 +0.9 -0.4 25 Sep 93.6 125.0 low 75%
Keith (Munkora) 23.6   41.0 18 Nov 6.9   -2.9 25 Sep 103.4
Lameroo (Austin Plains) 24.1   39.1 18 Nov 7.8   -1.6 25 Sep 99.0
Lameroo Comparison 24.1 +1.4 38.5 18 Nov 9.2 +1.3 1.0 25 Sep 118.9 106.3 average 112%
Lower Southeast (district 26)
Cape Jaffa (The Limestone) 19.7   33.1 5 Nov 10.1   3.8 25 Sep 113.4
Coonawarra 21.0 +1.5 35.2 18 Nov 8.4 +1.0 0.2 8 Sep 83.8 143.3 v low 58%
Mount Gambier Aero 19.6 +1.6 33.4 18 Nov 8.6 +1.4 -0.3 8 Sep 183.0 181.6 average 101%
Naracoorte Aerodrome 21.3   36.7 18 Nov 8.4   -0.1 25 Sep 96.0
Padthaway South 21.7   36.6 18 Nov 8.4   -0.6 25 Sep 93.8
Robe Airfield 19.7   31.7 18 Nov 9.3   -0.2 8 Sep 115.0
Robe Comparison 18.8 +1.2 30.0 5 Nov 11.3 +1.0 4.7 8 Sep 116.6 133.7 average 87%

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notes

A Seasonal Climate Summary is prepared to list the main features of the weather in South Australia using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated. Later information, including data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review, usually published in the fourth week of the month.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 8 am on Thursday 1 December 2011. 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