Monday 1 September 2008 - Seasonal Climate Summary for Perth - Product Code:IDCKGC21L0

Below average rainfall in winter for Perth

Rainfall - below average: This winter Perth received 349.2 mm over 40days, compared with the average of 482 mm over about 49 days. Last winter, Perth recorded 370.2 mm on 50 days. Rainfall totals for individual months this winter were: June 142.0 mm (average 177 mm), July 179.4 mm (average 170 mm) and August 27.8 mm (average 135 mm). The wettest day this winter was 1 June when 42.8 mm of rain was recorded. August rainfall was the fourth lowest on record.

Mean daily maximum temperature - near average: The mean daily maximum temperature for Perth this winter was 19.1°C compared with the average of 18.7°C. Last winter (2007), the mean daily maximum temperature was 19.5°C. Daily values this winter ranged from a cold 14.1°C on 31 July to a warm 24.2°C on 17 August.

Mean daily minimum temperature - below average: The mean daily minimum temperature for Perth this winter was 6.9°C, making it the lowest mean daily minimum temperature for winter since the 6.6°C in 2001. The average for winter is 8.3°C. All winter months in 2008 recorded mean minima below the average. Last winter (2007), the mean minimum temperatue was 9.1°C. Daily minima this winter ranged from a very cold 0.7°C on 6 and 7 July to a mild 15.1°C on 1 June.

Winter mean temperature and sunshine
Element

Winter 2008

 Long- term Average

Highest

 Year

Lowest

 Year Records Commence
Maximum
Temperature (°C)
19.1
18.7
19.7
3 years *
16.5
1916/1956
1897
Minimum Temperature (°C)
6.9
8.3
11.0
1964/1983
6.6
2001
1897
Sunshine
(hours per day)
6.7
6.3
7.2
2001
4.1
1926
1898
Winter rainfall and rain days
Element Winter 2008 Long-term Average Highest Year Lowest Year Records Commence
Rainfall (mm)
349.2
482
957.1
1945
230.4
2006
1876
Rain days
40
49.2
68
1915/1926
35
1902/2006
1876

* Denotes the highest daily mean maximum temperature for winter in the following years; 1976, 1983 and 2006.

Winter daily extremes
Element Winter 2008 Date Extreme Date

Records Commence
Highest daily maximum (°C)
24.2
17/08/2008
28.1
05/06/1975
1897
Lowest daily maximum (°C)
14.1
31/07/2008
8.8
26/06/1956
1897
Highest daily minimum (°C)
15.1
1/06/2008
18.7
12/06/1988
1897
Lowest daily minimum (°C)
0.7
6 & 7/07/2008
−0.7
17/06/2006
1897
Wettest 24 hours to 9am (mm)
42.8
01/06/2008
99.1
10/06/1920
1876

 

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:
Yanhui Blockley and Glenn Cook Western Australia Climate Services Centre
on, tel: (08) 9263 2222, office hours.