Tuesday, 1 September 2020 - Seasonal Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC23R0

South Australia in winter 2020: dry in the south and west, some cold nights

Rainfall for winter was below to very much below average across large areas of the state's south and west. August was wetter than average across much of the north, however June and July were very dry months for most areas of the state. Nights were much cooler than average in the east during winter, but daytime temperatures were closer to average in the east and very much above average in the west.

Drier in the south and west

• Rainfall totals were generally less than average across South Australia in winter, despite a wetter than average August across the state's north.
• A low pressure system across the state's north in early August brought rain and isolated thundestorms to the nothern Pastoral districts, but some areas in the Northeast Pastoral district still recorded less than half their winter average rainfall.
• Rainfall in winter was 32% below average for South Australia as a whole.
• The wettest sites were in the Adelaide Hills, with 402.8 mm at Piccadilly (Woodhouse) the highest total recorded for the season.
• The season began with the State Emergency Service receiving more than 150 call-outs as strong winds and heavy rain hit Adelaide on 1 June.

Cold nights in the east, warm days in the west

• Daytime temperatures were close to average in the state's south, but warmer than average in the north and west.
• The mean maximum temperature for South Australia as a whole was 1.15 °C above average.
• Night-time temperatures were very much cooler than average in parts of the east, but tended warmer than average in the west.
• The mean minimum temperature for South Australia as a whole was 0.31 °C below average.
• On 6 and 7 August, numerous sites had their coldest winter day on record and snow settled on the ground in parts of the Flinders Ranges and Mid North.
• Several sites had their lowest winter temperature on record.
• Some sites had their lowest winter mean daily minimum temperature on record or their lowest winter mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years.
• The cold nights resulted in some sites having their overall lowest winter mean temperature on record or their lowest winter mean temperature for at least 20 years.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Maps
	Observed	Anomaly	Decile rank
Total rainfall
Mean daily maximum temperatures
Mean daily minimum temperatures

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

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

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top