Tuesday, 1 September 2009 - Seasonal Climate Summary for Perth - Product Code: IDCKGC21L0

Below average rainfall in winter for Perth

Rainfall - below average: This winter Perth received 416.8 mm of rainfall on 55 days, compared with the average of 481 mm on about 49 days. Last winter, Perth recorded 349.2 mm on 40 days. Rainfall totals for individual months this winter were: June 156.2 mm (average 177 mm), July 149.6 mm (average 170 mm) and August 111.0 mm (average 134 mm). The last time Perth exceeded the winter average of 481 mm was in 2000 with 497.2 mm. The wettest day this winter was 19 July when 30.6 mm of rain was recorded.

Mean daily maximum temperature - near average: The mean daily maximum temperature for Perth this winter was 18.5°C, compared with the average of 18.8°C. Last winter, the mean daily maximum temperature was 19.1°C. Daily values this winter ranged from a cold 12.8°C on 23 June to a warm 26.2°C on 1 June.

Mean daily minimum temperature - near average: The mean daily minimum temperature for Perth this winter was 8.5°C, compared with the average of 8.2°C. Last winter, the mean minimum temperature was 6.9°C. Daily minima this winter ranged from a very cold 1.5°C on 14 July to a mild 14.3°C on 14 August.

Winter mean temperature and sunshine
Element

Winter 2009

 Long- term Average

Highest

 Year

Lowest

 Year Records Commence
Maximum
Temperature (°C)
18.5
18.8
19.8
2006
16.5
1916/1956
1897
Minimum Temperature (°C)
8.5
8.2
11.1
1964
6.6
2001
1897
Sunshine
(hours per day)
6.2
6.3
7.2
2001
4.1
1926
1898
Winter rainfall and rain days
Element Winter 2009 Long-term Average Highest Year Lowest Year Records Commence
Rainfall (mm)
416.8
481
957.1
1945
230.4
2006
1876
Rain days
55
49.0
68
1915/1926
35
1902/2006
1876

Winter daily extremes
Element Winter 2009 Date Extreme Date

Records Commence
Highest daily maximum (°C)
26.2
01/06/2009
28.1
05/06/1975
1897
Lowest daily maximum (°C)
12.8
23/06/2009
8.8
26/06/1956
1897
Highest daily minimum (°C)
14.3
14/08/2009
18.7
12/06/1988
1897
Lowest daily minimum (°C)
1.5
14/07/2009
−0.7
17/06/2006
1897
Wettest 24 hours to 9am (mm)
30.6
19/07/2009
99.1
10/06/1920
1876

Past winters in Perth 1994−2009
Season
Mean Maximum (°C)
Mean Minimum (°C)
Total Rainfall (mm)
Rain Days
Mean Sunshine (hours)
1994
18.9
8.7
535.0
51
6.3
1995
18.3
8.6
512.4
52
6.1
1996
18.6
9.7
555.8
63
5.6
1997
18.8
7.6
361.6
41
6.9
1998
18.2
8.5
414.8
57
5.7
1999
19.1
8.6
401.6
48
6.7
2000
18.5
9.0
497.2
58
6.0
2001
19.1
6.6
382.2
42
7.2
2002
18.8
8.7
384.8
51
6.2
2003
18.4
7.7
464.4
50
6.1
2004
18.5
8.3
411.4
52
6.3
2005
18.3
7.9
438.4
45
6.2
2006
19.8
7.3
230.4
35
7.1
2007
19.5
9.1
370.2
50
6.2
2008
19.1
6.9
349.2
40
6.7
2009
18.5
8.5
416.8
55
6.2

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