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Long-Term Climate Variability in AustraliaVariation in Australian ClimateLong-Term Global Climate Variations Long-Term Temperature Variations in Australia Long-Term Rainfall Variations in Australia Other Climate Variations in Australia Long-Term Temperature Variations in AustraliaTemperature variations over Australia during the past century have been consistent with global trends in showing an increase in the mean temperature (average of daytime maximum and overnight minimum temperatures) over most of the continent. The last two decades have been particularly warm, with many of the warmest years on record having occurred during the 1980s and 1990s.
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Temperature
Moderation 
Overnight temperatures tend to have increased more than daytime temperatures resulting in a decrease in the diurnal temperature range (the difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures during the day). Consistent with the warming trend is an increase in the frequency of warm days and nights, and a decrease in the number of cool days and nights. There has also been a significant decrease in the number of minimum temperatures below 0°C and a trend toward a shorter frost season, particularly in inland eastern Australia.
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Most of Australia has experienced a warming trend in maximum temperature during recent decades. However, this trend is not uniform throughout the country; the strongest warming trend being in inland Queensland, northeast South Australia and northern Tasmania.
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