Thursday, 2 March 2023 - Seasonal Climate Summary for Western Australia - Product code IDCKGC21R0

Western Australia in summer 2022-23: Wet in the Kimberley

Summer rainfall was above average in the Kimberley, adjacent Northern Interior, and in pockets of the west Pilbara and east Gascoyne. It was the tenth-wettest summer on record, and the wettest since summer 2017–2018 for the Kimberley district as a whole. In contrast, the South West Land Division, and parts of the state's south-east recorded below average rainfall. It was the driest summer for the lower southwestern region..

Most of the state's western half and central Goldfields observed warmer than normal daytime temperatures, while the northeastern parts of the state and the South East Coastal District recorded cooler than normal maximum temperatures. A broad area from the northwest to the southeast of the state, as well as a coastal trip of the Lower West District observed warmer than normal overnight temperatures. In contrast, much of the southern Kimberley and the eastern parts of the Northern Interior experienced cooler than normal minimum temperatures. For the state as a whole, the mean maximum and minimum temperatures were above the 1961-1990 average respectively.

Wet in the Kimberley, dry in the South West Land Division

• Summer rainfall was 19% above the 1961–1990 average for Western Australia as a whole.
• Summer was wet in the Kimberley, adjacent Northern Interior, and pockets of the west Pilbara and east Gascoyne.
• For the Kimberley District as a whole, summer rainfall was 48% above the 1961–1990 average, which was the tenth-wettest summer on record, and the wettest since summer 2017–2018.
• Many sites in central and west Kimberley recorded summer rainfall totals of 800–1200 mm. The highest total was 1359.4 mm at Dimond Gorge, which was more than double its summer average. The highest total at a Bureau site was 1171.4 mm at Truscott.
• A number of sites in the Kimberley had their wettest summer on record or wettest summer rainfall for more than 20 years.
• Mount Winifred and Old Mornington Homestead reported their annual highest daily rainfall on record on 2 January, associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie.
• The South West Land Division (SWLD), and parts of the state's south-east saw below average rainfall this summer, even though summer is a typical dry season in the SWLD.
• For the lower southwest (roughly southwest a line between Jurien Bay and Bremer Bay) as a whole, it was the fourth-driest summer on record and driest since 1997–1998.
• For the SWLD as a whole, it was the 14th-driest summer on record and driest since 2018–2019.
• The western and central SWLD and the Gascoyne coast reported summer rainfall totals of either zero or less than 10 mm.

Warmer than normal daytime and overnight temperatures for much of WA

• The mean maximum temperature was 0.66 °C above the 1961–1990 average for Western Australia as a whole.
• The hottest place this summer was Marble Bar with a mean maximum temperature of 40.8 °C (average 40.8 °C), and a total of 57 days (average 57 days) with daily maximum temperatures at least 40.0 °C.
• The South East Coastal District recorded cooler than normal maximum temperatures; Esperance (town) had its mildest summer for 21 years.
• A severe to extreme heatwave hit the east Pilbara and west Kimberley between 9 and 12 December. Mandora in the far west Kimberley recorded its annual highest temperature on record on the 11th
• The mean minimum temperature was 0.27 °C above the 1961–1990 average for Western Australia as a whole.
• Newdegate Research Station had its lowest summer mean minimum temperature for 21 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 higher value has gone unreported

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top