Tuesday, 1 September 2015 - Monthly Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC13R0

South Australia in August 2015: Below average rainfall in parts, cooler temperatures in the south and east

In South Australia, most central and eastern districts saw above average rainfall for August. Rainfall was below average in the southeast and far northwest, with elsewhere across the State recording falls closer to average for the month. Statewide temperatures were slightly warmer than average as a whole, with cooler than normal days and nights particularly in southern parts. Western areas saw nights tend warmer than average.

• Above average rain in the east
• Below average rain in the southeast and northwest
• Coolest August days since 2010
• Driest August since 2010

August rainfall was below average for South Australia as a whole, with particularly dry areas across the southeast and northwest parts of the State. The wettest period for most southern locations occurred at the beginning of the month as a cold frontal system crossed the state, bringing totals of 25 to 50 mm to southern coasts and elevated regions across the Mount Lofty and Flinders Ranges. A sequence of cold fronts swept across southern coastal areas from the 9th to 12th, bringing light to moderate periods of rain for agricultural areas, though totals were not enough to see locations reach their long-term August Average. Despite this, the wettest days also saw some sites have their highest August daily rainfall on record. On the 24th, a trough of low pressure over the eastern part of the State deepened and an associated middle level disturbance produced a band of rain over the Flinders and south of the pastoral districts in the east. The rainband resulted in some sites in these areas having their highest total August rainfall for at least 20 years

The statewide mean maximum temperature was warmer than average, though it was the coolest August since 2010. The coolest temperatures for the month were recorded at the start of the month as a cold front and southwesterly airstream was directed across the State. Minimum temperatures were also above average for August, though nights where generally cooler than average through some central and eastern parts of the state. Light winds and clear skies during this period resulted in minimum temperatures of around 5 to 10 degrees below average and morning frost reported across much of the state, with Strathalbyn, Parawa and Edithburgh having their lowest July temperature on record. Despite the generally average conditions across much of the state, a warm spell saw Moomba have its highest August temperature on record.

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

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* 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