Tuesday, 6 January 2015 - Annual Climate Summary for Perth - Product code IDCKGC51L0

Perth in 2014: A warm and dry year

All sites in the Perth metropolitan area recorded above average temperatures and below average rainfall in 2014.

• Above-average mean maximum temperatures across the Perth metropolitan area; fourth-highest for Perth Metro
• Above average mean minimum temperatures across Perth
• Below-average rainfall for most sites

Mean maximum temperatures in 2014 ranged from around 23 °C on the islands and in the hills to about 25 °C across much of the coastal plain, and near 26 °C in the northeast suburbs, and were generally between 0.5 °C and 1.0 °C above average. Monthly mean maximum temperatures were above the average for most sites in the metropolitan area in almost all months, apart from May, November, and December, and were record warm for some sites in August and September. Mean minimum temperatures for 2014 were also above average at all Perth metropolitan sites, ranging from near 16 °C on the islands, to about 14 °C near the coast, and between 12 °C and 13 °C on the coastal plain and in the hills, and about 0.5 °C to 0.7 °C above normal. Below average monthly mean minimum temperatures were confined to June, November, and December across Perth in 2014.

Annual rainfall for 2014 ranged from about 500 mm on the islands and in the far northeast of the metropolitan area, to 600 mm to 700 mm on much of the coastal plain, to about 1000 mm in the hills. Rainfall was generally near average in most months, with only May seeing above average rainfall across the Perth metropolitan area. Little rainfall was recorded in January, February, and December, whilst June totals were generally 50% to 80% of normal and had the biggest impact on annual rainfall for most sites, leading to a below average year.

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notable events in 2014

• A hot spell across the Perth metropolitan area on 11 and 12 January saw consecutive 40 °C days for many sites, as well as unusually warm overnight temperatures. A few sites recorded their highest January minimum on record, and Perth Metro (117 years of record) and Pearce RAAF (64 years of record) both recorded their highest minimum temperature for any month.
• A fire was reported in Parkerville, about 30km east of Perth on 12 January and affected the townships of Parkerville, Stoneville, and Mount Helena. Fifty-seven houses were destroyed and approximately 386 hectares were burnt. One fatality was attributed to the event.
• Perth recorded a long dry spell from late October 2013 to late April 2014 with little rainfall recorded during that period. Perth Metro recorded only three rain days from November to February, the lowest for that period since records commenced in 1876.
• A mild night was reported across the Perth metropolitan area on the evening of 1 July and morning of 2 July, with a number of sites including Perth Metro recording their highest July minimum temperature on record on the 2nd.
• A strong cold front produced heavy showers, thunderstorms, and squally winds in the Perth metropolitan area on 14 July causing power outages and significant damage to property. Three tornadoes were reported in the western suburbs of Perth, and two men died tragically when their respirators failed as a result of a power outage.
• A strong cold front and cut-off low produced thunderstorms and squally winds in the Perth area on the evening of 17 August, with damage to roofs from fallen trees reported. In Fremantle port, a container ship broke its moorings and crashed into the Fremantle rail bridge. A second cargo vessel also broke its moorings and hit a refuelling vessel near the bridge.
• August was a record warm month with all reporting sites recording their highest August mean maximum temperature. Perth Metro recorded a mean maximum temperature of 21.6 °C, exceeding the previous August record by 1.2 °C (set in 2013).
• Two strong cold fronts produced mainly minor damage in the Perth area from 7 to 9 September. A tornado likely moved through Forrestfield and an apartment block in Attadale lost its roof.
• A deep trough off the west coast resulted in all Perth metropolitan sites recording their highest September temperature on record on the 20th, with maxima reaching the mid-thirties. Many sites with relatively short periods of record (less than 50 years) broke their previous September record by 3 °C to 4 °C, whilst Perth Metro exceeded its previous high, in 117 years of record, by 1.5 °C.
• A severe thunderstorm tracked over the Perth metropolitan area on 18 October, producing heavy rainfall and large amounts of small hail.
• A fire at Whiteman Park in the northern Perth suburbs burnt 367 hectares of bushland on 14 December.

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

* note: there are missing data at this site.

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top