Australia in October 2026

In brief

• Australia's area-averaged mean temperature in October was 1.68 °C above the 1961–1990 average, the ninth-highest on record for October since national observations began in 1910.

• Australia's area-averaged mean maximum temperature in October was 1.24 °C above the 1961–1990 average.

• For Tasmania, the area-averaged mean maximum temperature was the second-highest on record for October.

• Mean maximum temperatures were above average for much of northern Australia and south-eastern parts of the country, and below average for areas scattered across Western Australia and Queensland.

• Australia's area-averaged mean minimum temperature was 2.11 °C above the 1961–1990 average, the fourth-highest on record for October.

• For both New South Wales and Victoria, the area-averaged mean minimum temperature was the second-highest on record for October.

• Mean minimum temperatures were average or above average across Australia.

• Australia's area-averaged October rainfall total was 91% above the 1961–1990 average, the ninth-highest on record for October.

• The area-averaged rainfall was above average for all states and territories except for Tasmania.

• October rainfall was average or above average for most of Australia, and below average for Tasmania and areas in the south-west and south-east of the mainland.

Temperatures

Australia's area-averaged mean temperature in October was 1.68 °C above the 1961–1990 average, the ninth-highest on record for October since national observations began in 1910.

Tasmania and Victoria had their second-warmest and third-warmest October on record, respectively.

Australia's area-averaged mean maximum temperature in October was 1.24 °C above the 1961–1990 average.

For Tasmania, the area-averaged mean maximum temperature was the second-highest on record for October, the highest since 2015.

October mean maximum temperatures were above to very much above average (in the highest 10% of all Octobers since 1910) for Tasmania, Victoria, most of New South Wales, the Northern Territory and western Queensland, and parts of southern and eastern South Australia and northern and southern Western Australia. Mean maximum temperatures were below to very much below average for areas in coastal and inland Western Australia and inland Queensland.

The national area-averaged mean minimum temperature was 2.11 °C above the 1961–1990 average, the fourth-highest on record for October.

For New South Wales and Victoria, the area-averaged mean minimum temperature was the second-highest on record, and for South Australia the third-highest on record for October.

Mean minimum temperatures were above to very much above average (in the highest 10% of all Octobers since 1910) for much of Australia. Mean minimum temperatures were the highest on record for an area in south-western Queensland extending into the Northern Territory and South Australia, south-western Victoria and small areas in northern Tasmania, south-eastern South Australia and north-eastern New South Wales. Many stations had their record highest October mean minimum temperatures.

Rank ranges from 1 (lowest) to 117 (highest). A rank marked with ’=‘ indicates the value is tied for that rank. Anomaly is the departure from the long-term (1961–1990) average.

Rainfall

The national area-averaged rainfall total in October was 91% above the 1961–1990 average, the ninth-highest on record for October since national observations began in 1900.

The area-averaged October rainfall was above average for all states and territories except for Tasmania.

October rainfall was above to very much above average (in the highest 10% of all Octobers since 1900) for:

• most of Queensland, the Northern Territory and South Australia
• parts of northern and eastern New South Wales
• much of Victoria and Western Australia.

Rainfall was the highest on record for areas in Queensland's Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Maranoa and Warrego and Wide Bay and Burnett districts. Many stations had their record highest total rainfall for October.

Queensland had its second-wettest October on record, with the area-averaged rainfall 194% above average.

October rainfall was below to very much below average (in the lowest 10% of all Octobers since 1900) for:

• most of Tasmania
• parts of inland New South Wales
• areas in the south-west and north-west of Western Australia.

With the area-averaged rainfall 34% below average, Tasmania had its driest October since 2019.

Significant weather and records

Heavy rainfall in the south-east

A significant rainfall event affected much of south-eastern Australia between 1 and 4 October, with widespread rain, thunderstorms and localised flooding. On 1 October, a low-pressure trough interacted with moist tropical air generating rainfall across south-eastern parts of the country.  Daily rainfall totals in the 24 hours to 9 am on 2 October were generally between 10 and 30 mm across south-eastern South Australia, and between 20 and 50 mm across Victoria. Melbourne (Olympic Park) recorded 48.4 mm, the highest daily rainfall in October for the city since 2010, and parts of Greater Melbourne reported flash flooding, power outages and building damage. On 2 October, a low-pressure system formed near the border between Victoria and New South Wales, producing persistent and widespread rainfall across Victoria and south-eastern New South Wales. The system tracked slowly eastwards before moving into the Tasman Sea on 4 October. The highest rainfall totals were recorded across parts of southern and eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales ranges. Some stations in Victoria had their record highest daily rainfall total for October, including:

• 103.4 mm at Lorne (Mount Cowley) (27 years of data) to 9 am on 3 October
• 72.0 mm at Mount Baw Baw (30 years of data) to 9 am on 4 October
• 87.6 mm at Nicholson Winery (41 years of data) to 9 am on 4 October.

On 3 October, thunderstorms, some severe, developed across parts of the Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Riverina, South Coast, Hunter, Sydney Metro and Illawarra districts in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and through Victoria's North East and Gippsland districts. Thunderstorms generated strong winds, locally heavy falls, hail and extensive lightning activity. A tornado near Ulladulla (New South Wales) uprooted trees and caused damage to properties, while hail and flash flooding were reported in Sydney. Three-day rainfall totals ending 9 am on 4 October were the highest across Victoria and south-eastern New South Wales, including ACT, where large areas reported totals above 50 mm. Lorne (Mount Cowley) in Victoria's Otway Ranges recorded a three-day rainfall total of 202.6 mm, and Mount Moornapa, in Victoria's east, recorded 175.8 mm. Heavy rainfall brought flash and riverine flooding. A Major Flood Warning was issued for the Tomson River (Victoria).

On 24 and 25 October, a broad cloudband with embedded thunderstorms brought widespread rainfall to much of south-eastern Australia. The event developed as a strong cold front and associated low-pressure trough moved across southern Australia and interacted with warm and humid air. This produced widespread rainfall across South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and southern New South Wales, with locally intense showers from thunderstorms. On 24 October, a band of rainfall with embedded thunderstorms spread from south-eastern South Australia into Victoria and Tasmania. Multiple stations in South Australia observed wind gusts above 80 km/h, including 98 km/h at Port Augusta Aero, and 96 km/h at both Cultana and Oodnadatta Airport. Strong winds in a wide area around Port Augusta resulted in fallen trees, structural damage to properties and power outages. On 25 October, as the system moved eastwards, the highest daily totals were recorded across eastern Victoria, south-eastern New South Wales and north-eastern Tasmania. Two-day rainfall totals (ending 9 am on 26 October) ranged generally between 20 and 60 mm, with the highest total of 79.6 mm at Jindivick (Victoria).

More rain for inland Western Australia

Between 1 and 3 October, a slow-moving low-pressure trough connected to tropical moisture generating rainfall and isolated thunderstorms across inland parts of Western Australia. Warburton Airfield (74 years of data) observed 45.6 mm in the 24 hours to 9 am on 4 October, its second-highest daily total in October. Three-day rainfall totals (ending 9 am on 4 October) ranged between 10 and 50 mm, and locally higher, in parts of the Gascoyne, Southern Interior and Goldfields districts. Average October rainfall in these areas is between 5 and 25 mm.

Between 19 and 22 October, a humid unstable atmosphere resulted in showers and thunderstorms, some severe, across parts of Western Australia. Four-day rainfall totals (ending 9 am on 23 October) of 15 to 50 mm were recorded in areas of the Gascoyne, Northern Interior and Kimberley districts. Hail was observed in Exmouth on 20 October.

Thunderstorms in eastern Australia

Thunderstorms, some severe, impacted large parts of eastern Australia throughout much of October.

The first thunderstorms this spring developed on 6 and 7 October, later than usual, when a surface trough combined with tropical moisture and an upper-level trough generating a band of thunderstorms and showers over south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales. Large accumulations of small hailstones were observed around Warra (Queensland), and there were reports of large hailstones (3 to 4 cm in diameter) around Corindi Beach (New South Wales).

From 14 October to the end of the month, low-pressure troughs interacted with tropical moisture transported from the Coral Sea by a slow-moving high-pressure system in the Tasman Sea. This generated thunderstorms, showers, damaging winds and locally hail across much of Queensland and New South Wales. Some long-term stations in Queensland had their record highest daily rainfall total for October, including:

• 51.0 mm at Gregory Downs Outstation (99 years of data), to 9 am on the 15th
• 101.0 mm at Muttaburra (142 years of data), to 9 am on the 17th
• 102.0 mm at Toliness (144 years of data), to 9 am on the 17th
• 93.0 mm at Nive Downs (145 years of data), to 9 am on the 17th.

Widespread rainfall impacted south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales on 21 and 22 October when unstable humid air supported by an upper-level low generated a large area of rain with embedded thunderstorms. Many stations recorded daily totals of 50 mm to more than 100 mm and some stations had their record highest daily totals for October. On 21 October, Barradeen (north of Charleville) observed 39.0 mm of rain in 30 min, while hailstones 2 to 3 cm in diameter were reported in an area near Barcaldine. On the same day, severe thunderstorms produced intense rainfall across a large area north of Brisbane, including north-western Brisbane. In the 24 hours to 9 am on 22 October, 170.8 mm was observed at Beerburrum Forest (129 years of data) and 103.9 mm at Wamuran (112 years of data), record highest daily totals for October for both stations, while Brisbane station (28 years of data) recorded 47.8 mm, its seventh-highest daily total in October. Heavy rainfall across the wide region resulted in flash flooding, extensive road closures and multiple rescues of people trapped in flood water.

On 22 and 23 October, the heaviest rainfall was recorded across south-eastern Queensland. On the 22nd, Caboolture observed 159 mm in 3 hours, and Avoca (in the Darling Downs) recorded 70 mm in 2 hours. Flash flooding was reported across the region and there were multiple swift water rescues.

On 24 and 25 October, thunderstorms, some severe, impacted most of New South Wales and central and southern Queensland. Thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall with daily totals at some stations exceeding 40 mm, and locally much higher. In the 24 hours to 9 am on 25 October, Walla Alert-B (86 years of data) (Queensland) had 143.0 mm, its record highest daily total for any month. On 25 October, wind gusts exceeding 80 km/h were recorded at many stations in New South Wales, including:

• 120 km/h at Murrurundi Gap AWS, its third-highest wind gust in October
• 117 km/h at Cabramurra SMHEA AWS, its second-highest wind gust in October
• 100 km/h at West Wyalong Airport AWS, its record highest wind gust in October.

Thunderstorms continued on 26 October with hail (up to 5 cm in diameter) reported around Armidale (New South Wales). On 27 October severe thunderstorms resulted in hail across parts of south-eastern Queensland, including around Amberley (2 to 3 cm in diameter), Ripley (5 to 6 cm), Jimboomba (around 5 cm), White Rock (around 7 cm) and Mudgeeraba (around 7 cm).

Multiple days of rain and showers across central and southern Queensland resulted in Minor to Major Flood Warnings for many catchments in southern Queensland, and strong winds brought damage to properties, fallen trees and power outages.

Fluctuating temperatures in Tasmania

A series of cold fronts brought strong winds and a cold airmass to Tasmania on 13 and 14 October, with daily maximum and minimum temperatures up to 8 °C below average for October and snow in elevated areas. Hobart (Ellerslie Road) observed a maximum temperature of 12.8 °C on 13 October.

From 16 October, northerly airflow directed by a high-pressure system in the Tasman Sea brought above average temperatures across Tasmania, with daily maximum temperatures more than 12 °C above average on some days. Hobart (Ellerslie Road)) recorded maximum temperatures of 31.7 °C and 32.1 °C on 22 and 23 October respectively. This was the first time the station recorded two consecutive days with maximum temperature above 30.0 °C in October since measurements started in 1882.

Severe thunderstorms in central Australia

On 12 October, a low-pressure trough that extended from Western Australia into southern parts of the Northern Territory combined with an unstable air-mass, generating thunderstorms, some severe, strong winds and heavy rainfall. In the 24 hours to 9 am on 13 October, Arltunga (94 years of data) recorded 31.6 mm, its sixth-highest daily total in October, and Tieyon (32 years of data) had 32.6 mm. Average October rainfall total for central and southern parts of the Northern Territory and northern and central South Australia is between 10 and 25 mm. A severe thunderstorm moved through Alice Springs in the afternoon on 12 October, delivering heavy rain, flash flooding, large accumulations of small hail and destructive winds, with Alice Springs Airport (75 years of data) recording a wind gust of 96 km/h, its ninth-highest gust for October. Thousands of residents were left without power, and trees were uprooted and properties damaged.

On 26 October, a low-pressure trough that extended from Western Australia into central parts of the Northern Territory and into Queensland, resulted in thunderstorms that brought rainfall to the Territory's central parts. In the 24 hours to 9 am on 27 October, 28.6 mm was observed at Territory Grape Farm (40 years of data), its record highest daily total for October. Elliot (78 years of data) and Tennant Creek Airport (58 years of data) recorded 31.4 mm and 37.2 mm respectively, the fourth- and fifth-highest daily total for October for these stations, respectively.

On 28 October, severe thunderstorms moved across southern Northern Territory, with heavy rain, strong winds and locally hail (2 to 3 cm in diameter). Alice Springs Airport recorded a gust of 102 km/h, its third-highest on record for October. In the 24 hours to 9 am on 29 October, Alice Springs Airport and Territory Grape Farm observed 41.0 mm and 34.4 mm respectively, the record highest daily total for October for both stations. Further south, severe thunderstorms on 29 October brought heavy rainfall and flash flooding to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and surrounding region. To 9 am on 30 October, both Yulara Airport (39 years of data) (Northern Territory) and Ernabella (30 years of data) (South Australia) observed 41.0 mm, their second-highest and highest daily rainfall totals for October respectively.

Further information

A summary and tables of records for each state and Territory are available in the individual regional climate summaries, issued on 5 November 2026.

Rank ranges from 1 (lowest) to 127 (highest). A rank marked with ’=‘ indicates the value is tied for that rank. Departure from mean is relative to the long-term (1961–1990) average.