Tuesday, 3 June 2008 - Seasonal Climate Summary for Perth - Product Code: IDCKGC21L0

Wettest autumn for three years for Perth

Rainfall - above average: This autumn, the rainfall in Perth was above average. From March to May, Perth received 227.4 mm over 29 days compared with the average of 182 mm over about 23 days. Last autumn, Perth recorded 144.0 mm over 24 days. Rainfall totals for individual months this autumn were: March 14.2 mm (average 19 mm), April 153.6 mm (average 44 mm) and May 59.6 mm (average 119 mm). The wettest day was on 6 April 2008 when 58.6 mm of rain was recorded.

Mean daily maximum temperature - near average: The mean daily maximum temperature for Perth this autumn of 25.4°C was close to the average of 25.8°C. Daily values this autumn ranged from a mild 17.7°C on 16 May to a hot 35.3°C on 12 March. Last autumn the mean daily maximum temperature was 25.5°C.

Mean daily minimum temperature - near average: The mean daily minimum temperature for Perth this autumn was 13.2°C, compared to the average of 13.7°C. Daily minima ranged from a cool 5.2°C on 17 May to a warm 21.7°C on 1 March. Last autumn the mean daily minimum temperature was 12.9°C.

Autumn mean temperature and sunshine
Element

Autumn 2008

 Long- term Average

Highest

 Year

Lowest

 Year Records Commence
Maximum
Temperature (°C)
25.4
25.8
27.2
1978
22.3
1917
1897
Minimum Temperature (°C)
13.2
13.7
16.6
1988
12.1
1960
1897
Sunshine
(hours per day)
8.5
8.1
8.8
1972
6.0
1926
1898
Autumn rainfall and rain days
Element Autumn 2008 Long-term Average Highest Year Lowest Year Records Commence
Rainfall (mm)
227.4
182
372.4
1879
42.4
1983
1876
Rain days
29
23.3
42
1926
10
1886
1876

Autumn daily extremes
Element Autumn 2008 Date Extreme Date

Records Commence
Highest daily maximum (°C)
35.2
12/03/2008
42.4
07/03/2007
1897
Lowest daily maximum (°C)
17.7
16/05/2008
11.5
23/05/1995
1897
Highest daily minimum (°C)
21.7
01/03/2008
28.3
02/03/1934
1897
Lowest daily minimum (°C)
5.2
17/05/2008
1.3
11/05/1914
1897
Wettest 24 hours to 9am (mm)
58.6
06/04/2008
77.0
09/03/1934
1876

Past autumns in Perth 1994−2008
Season
Mean Maximum (°C)
Mean Minimum (°C)
Total Rainfall (mm)
Rain Days
Mean Sunshine (hours)
1994
26.6
13.8
101.4
16
8.7
1995
25.6
13.1
169.4
22
8.3
1996
25.6
13.1
86.8
23
8.2
1997
24.6
14.1
175.0
27
7.5
1998
26.4
14.4
151.6
28
7.8
1999
26.0
14.8
158.4
25
7.8
2000
25.6
13.0
81.2
16
8.5
2001
25.7
13.3
118.8
21
8.2
2002
25.6
13.7
169.0
33
8.1
2003
26.6
14.6
203.0
28
8.0
2004
25.7
13.1
115.2
18
8.5
2005
26.2
14.9
271.2
32
7.2
2006
25.3
12.4
61.0
19
8.6
2007
25.5
12.9
144.0
24
8.6
2008
25.4
13.2
227.4
29
8.5

Note: Official Perth observations have been recorded at several different sites with varying instrumentation over the years, and these changes can affect the continuity of the climate record. For the current Perth (Mount Lawley) site, the most significant changes of this kind relate to temperature and rain days. For that reason, current mean temperature and rain-day data quoted here are based only on readings from the Perth (Mount Lawley) site, which commenced observations in 1993. Sunshine recordings are from Perth Airport and for similar reasons current means use only Perth Airport data, which commenced in 1993.

Further information:
John Relf (JR) and Yanhui Blockley
Western Australia Climate Services Centre
on, tel: (08) 9263 2222, office hours.