Climate of Port Hedland

Port Hedland is a port on the Pilbara coast. The Pilbara is mostly hilly away from the coast and includes several low mountain ranges, such as the Hamersley, Chichester and Ophthalmia. The ranges are rich in iron ore and several large towns such as Tom Price and Newman service the mining areas. The iron ore is railed to ports on the Pilbara coast. Salt is extracted from sea water at several locations. Pastoral activity associated with the grazing of sheep and cattle is the other main industry.

Rainfall is low throughout and quite variable. Annual totals vary from 250 -450mm and many years without significant rainfall occur. The lower totals are typical of the south where tropical cyclone effects are less frequent. Most of the summer rain comes from scattered thunderstorms and the occasional tropical cyclone. A secondary peak in the monthly rainfall occurs in May as a result of rainfall caused by tropical cloud bands which intermittently affect the area mostly in May and June. These events can also produce low maximum temperatures particularly away from the coast. Thunderstorms average 20-30 per annum over most of the area but 15-20 is more common near the coast. Almost all storms occur in the summer.

The coast from Port Hedland to Exmouth Gulf is the most cyclone prone area in Australia. Port Hedland has been severely impacted by several severe tropical cyclones in the last thirty years. One of the most damaging was Cyclone Joan in December 1975. Joan caused damage estimated at $20 million. Maximum wind speeds in Port Hedland reached 208kmph (132 mph) and that was with the centre of the cyclone crossing some 50 km west of the town.

This region contains some of Australia's consistently hottest places. Marble Bar recorded 160 consecutive days of 100F (37.8C) or more in the period 31 October 1923 - 7 April 1924. Marble Bar has an average daily maximum temperature of 38C or more for all the months from November - March. Only on the coast is there some relief to the summer heat provided by sea breezes. The normal inland maximum temperature range in summer is 37-42C. The coast, such as at Port Hedland, is 2-3C cooler but usually more humid. Several days with 45C maximum temperatures occur each year. Winter maximum temperatures are mild/warm with temperatures in the 23-27C range in the south grading to 25-30C in the north. Minimum temperatures range from 25C in midsummer to 12C in July near the coast and 8-12C inland. Winter is a short 6-8 week period and retreats quickly by late August.

Frost does not normally affect the coastal areas but some susceptible inland locations may have light frosts on a couple of days per year, especially following strong cold fronts.