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

An average spring in Perth

Rainfall - near average: This spring the rainfall in Perth was near average. From September to November, Perth received 172.0 mm over 39 days, compared with the average of 156 mm over 31 days. It was Perth's wettest spring since 2001, then 173.4 mm on 32 days. Last spring, Perth recorded 148.2 mm on 27 rain days. Rainfall totals for individual months this spring were: September 75.8 mm (average 81 mm), October 38.4 (average 53 mm) and November 57.8 mm (average 22 mm). The wettest day during spring was 25 September when 21.0 mm of rain was recorded.

Mean daily maximum temperature - near average: The mean daily maximum temperature for Perth this spring was 22.7°C, compared with the average of 23.1°C. Daily values this spring ranged from a cool 16.5°C on 25 September to a hot 35.7°C on 20 October. Last spring the mean daily temperature was 23.8°C.

Mean daily minimum temperature - near average: The mean daily minimum temperature for Perth this spring was 11.4°C, compared with the average of 11.6°C. Daily minima ranged from a cold 1.0°C on 22 September, the lowest temperature recorded for Perth in September, to a warm 21.3°C on 20 October. Last spring the mean daily minimum temperature was 11.7°C.

Mean daily sunshine hours - below average: Perth's mean daily sunshine hours this spring was 8.8 hours, and was the least sunniest spring since the 8.5 hours in 1993. The average sunshine hours for spring
is 9.3 hours. Last spring Perth was dazzled with its sunniest spring on record of 9.9 hours.

Spring monthly mean temperature and sunshine
Element

2008

 Long- term Average

Highest

 Year

Lowest

 Year Records Commence
Maximum
Temperature (°C)
22.7
23.1
24.0
1969/2006
20.0
1971
1897
Minimum
Temperature (°C)
11.4
11.6
13.8
1982
10.4
1952/2005
1897
Sunshine
(hours per day)
8.8
9.3
9.9
2007
6.6
1965
1898
Spring rainfall and rain days
Element 2008 Long-term Average Highest Year Lowest Year Records Commence
Rainfall (mm)
172.0
156
364.0
1890
34.5
1877
1876
Rain days
39
30.5
48
1898/1926
12
1969
1876

Spring daily extremes
Element 2008 Date Extreme Date

Records Commence
Highest daily maximum (°C)
35.7
20/10/2008
40.3
* Twice
1897
Lowest daily maximum (°C)
16.5
25/09/2008
11.4
17/09/1917
1897
Highest daily minimum (°C)
21.3
20/10/2008
25.1
24/11/1920
1897
Lowest daily minimum (°C)
1.0
22/09/2008
1.5
** Twice
1897
Wettest 24 hours to 9am (mm)
21.0
25/09/2008
68.2
18/10/1995
1876

* Denotes the highest daily maximum temperature recorded on 24 November 1913 and 11 November 2003.

** Denotes the lowest daily minimum temperature recorded on 1 September and 10 September 2005.
Recent springs in Perth
Season
Mean Maximum(°C)
Mean Minimum(°C)
Total Rainfall (mm)
Rain Days
Mean Sunshine (hours per day)
1994
23.8
11.8
101.6
19
9.7
1995
22.8
11.8
208.0
36
9.2
1996
22.8
12.0
222.2
36
9.1
1997
23.1
11.5
158.6
26
9.0
1998
22.6
11.5
161.8
35
9.4
1999
23.0
11.4
206.6
20
9.7
2000
23.7
11.8
78.4
29
9.7
2001
23.0
11.3
173.4
32
9.0
2002
22.9
11.4
153.6
24
9.8
2003
23.2
11.8
168.2
31
9.6
2004
22.8
11.4
105.8
33
9.4
2005
21.6
10.4
157.2
40
9.2
2006
24.0
12.5
121.2
32
9.2
2007
23.8
11.7
148.2
27
9.9
2008
22.7
11.4
172.0
39
8.8

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 Mt Lawley site, the most significant changes of this kind relate to temperature and rain days. For that reason, mean temperature and rain day data quoted here are based only on readings from the Mt 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) or Yanhui Blockley - (08) 9263 2222 during business hours.