Monday 5 January 2026 - Monthly Climate Summary for South Australia - Product code IDCKGC13R0

South Australia in December 2025

Rainfall

  • Rainfall totals in December were below to very much below average for much of the state's west and south, and above average for parts of the north-east.
  • South Australia's area-averaged rainfall total in December was 6.5 mm, 64.2% below the 1961–1990 average.
  • It was the driest December in South Australia since 2019.

Temperature

  • Mean maximum temperatures in December were above to very much above average for most of the state, and average for the south-east.
  • South Australia's area-averaged mean maximum temperature was 35.7 °C, 2.38 °C above the 1961–1990 average.
  • Mean minimum temperatures in December were above to very much above average for much of the west and north and parts of the state's centre, and below average for parts of the south-east.
  • South Australia's area-averaged mean minimum temperature was 18.4 °C, 0.84 °C above the 1961–1990 average.
  • South Australia's area-averaged mean temperature was 27.0 °C, 1.61 °C above the 1961–1990 average, the tenth-warmest on record for all Decembers since 1910.
  • A few sites had their coldest December night (lowest daily minimum temperature) on record.
  • Streaky Bay and Cape Borda had their lowest December mean minimum temperature on record.
  • Several sites had their lowest December mean minimum temperature for at least 20 years.

Events

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes in December 2025
Hottest day 46.4 °C at Oodnadatta Airport on the 12th
Warmest days on average 38.5 °C at Oodnadatta Airport
Coolest days on average 20.8 °C at Robe
Coldest day 13.0 °C at Mount Lofty on the 1st
Coldest night 0.6 °C at Coonawarra on the 7th
Coolest nights on average 8.5 °C at Coonawarra
Warmest nights on average 22.1 °C at Moomba Airport
Warmest night 30.2 °C at Marree Aero on the 12th
Warmest on average overall 30.2 °C at Oodnadatta Airport
Coolest on average overall 16.7 °C at Robe Airfield
Wettest overall 41.0 mm at Bordertown (Industrial Estate)
Wettest day 28.0 mm at Bordertown (Industrial Estate) on the 1st
Strongest wind gust 100.0 km/h at Moomba Airport on the 12th

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Maps
ObservedAnomalyDecile rank
Total
rainfall		 Map of Rainfall totals Map of Percentage of normal rainfall Map of Rainfall deciles
Mean
daily
maximum
temperatures		 Map of Mean maximum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean maximum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean maximum temperature
Mean
daily
minimum
temperatures		 Map of Mean minimum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean minimum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean minimum temperature

Click on a map to show it full size in a pop-up window

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Record lowest December temperature
New record
(°C)		 Old
record		 Years of
record		 Average for
December
Streaky Bay 2.9 on the 7th 6.1 on 14 Dec 1959 68 14.9
Eudunda 2.7 on the 7th 3.2 on 02 Dec 1969 61 12.4
Karoonda 4.0 on the 2nd 4.3 on 18 Dec 2016 24 12.7


Record lowest December mean minimum temperature
New record
(°C)		 Old
record		 Years of
record		 Average for
December
Streaky Bay 12.2 12.6 in 1958 99 14.9
Cape Borda 12.1 =12.1 in 2021 24 13.0


Lowest December mean minimum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)		 Most recent
lower		 Average for
December
Padthaway South 9.0 8.4 in 2001 10.7
Renmark Aero 13.5 12.3 in 2001 14.4
Nuriootpa PIRSA 11.0 10.2 in 2001 12.4
Parafield Airport 13.8 12.0 in 2001 14.8
Gluepot Reserve (Gluepot) 12.9 12.0 in 2001 13.9
Edithburgh 14.1 13.7 in 2005 14.9

note: there may be gaps in the historical record at some sites, so it is possible more recent lower values have gone unreported



Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Summary statistics for December 2025
Maximum temperatures
(°C)		 Minimum temperatures
(°C)		 Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
December
2025		 Diff
from
average		 Highest for
December
2025		 Mean for
December
2025		 Diff
from
average		 Lowest for
December
2025		 Total for
December
2025		 Average
for
December		 Rank of
December
2025		 Fraction of
December
average
Northwest (district 16)
Andamooka 36.5 +1.8 44.7 12th 19.9 +0.3 13.3 2nd 2.2 19.1 low 12%
Coober Pedy Airport 36.7 +2.0 45.1 5th 20.1 0.0 13.8 1st 0.0 19.4 lowest 0%
Ernabella (Pukatja) 36.2 +2.5 41.5 12th 20.6 +1.2 15.6 1st 0.2 55.8 lowest 0%
Mount Ive 34.0 +1.3 42.0 18th 15.7 9.0 7th 0.2 17.6 low 1%
Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam Aerodrome) 36.0 +1.4 44.0 5th 19.2 +0.2 12.0 8th 0.8 16.6 low 5%
Tarcoola Aero 36.0 +1.8 43.3 11th 17.4 -0.2 9.7 2nd 0.0 20.3 lowest 0%
Woomera Aerodrome 34.8 +2.2 43.2 12th 18.9 +1.1 12.5 1st 0.8 14.8 v low 5%
Far North (district 17)
Arkaroola 33.4 +0.5 40.9 5th 18.0 0.0 10.7 3rd 25.3 25.2 average 100%
Leigh Creek Airport 35.3 +1.8 42.3 5th 19.6 +0.7 11.6 2nd 2.6 20.3 low 13%
Marree Aero 37.6 +1.3 44.9 12th 20.4 -0.2 12.4 8th 6.8 14.1 average 48%
Moomba Airport 37.5 +0.5 46.0 6th 22.1 -0.5 15.9 3rd 28.6 15.9 high 180%
Oodnadatta Airport 38.5 +2.0 46.4 12th 22.0 +0.6 16.0 8th 1.8 16.8 low 11%
Western Agricultural (district 18)
Ceduna AMO 29.4 +1.9 43.1 18th 14.8 +0.7 6.4 8th 0.0 20.6 lowest 0%
Cleve 28.4 +1.6 42.0 18th 15.1 +0.9 8.0 7th 0.2 26.3 v low 1%
Cleve Aerodrome 28.8 +1.4 42.6 18th 13.8 -0.2 7.4 2nd 0.0 24.1 lowest 0%
Coffin Bay (Point Avoid) 24.0 35.6 17th 14.7 11.0 7th 4.8
Cultana (Defence) 32.4 42.1 18th 16.4 9.9 7th 0.0
Cummins Aero 28.9 +0.5 41.4 18th 12.4 -0.5 1.6 7th 5.0 18.7 low 27%
Elliston 28.5 +3.7 38.4 18th 14.7 0.0 8.0 8th 2.0 16.5 low 12%
Kimba 30.9 +1.3 38.6 4th 12.6 -1.4 10.6 7th 0.0 20.4 lowest 0%
Kyancutta 33.7 +2.7 43.7 18th 12.3 -0.7 5.9 7th 0.0 20.5 lowest 0%
Minnipa PIRSA 32.0 +1.3 42.3 18th 14.3 0.0 7.5 7th 2.0 20.0 v low 10%
North Shields (Port Lincoln AWS) 25.6 +0.9 42.7 18th 13.7 -0.3 8.1 7th 5.8 18.0 low 32%
Nullarbor 28.1 +1.0 42.0 17th 15.5 +1.1 8.6 2nd 0.0 15.6 lowest 0%
Port Augusta Aero 33.1 +0.9 42.7 18th 18.1 +0.7 12.1 2nd 1.0 24.9 v low 4%
Streaky Bay 29.8 +2.3 41.7 18th 12.2 -2.7 2.9 7th 1.4 15.1 low 9%
Whyalla Aero 29.3 +0.9 42.6 18th 16.2 +0.2 10.2 2nd 0.0 24.8 lowest 0%
Wudinna Aero 32.8 +1.4 44.1 18th 12.9 -0.7 6.2 7th 0.6 18.2 v low 3%
Upper North (district 19)
Hawker 32.6 +0.6 39.5 5th 16.6 +0.5 8.0 2nd 12.8 21.9 average 58%
Yongala 30.4 +1.7 37.9 18th 11.4 -0.3 4.3 2nd 10.6 24.5 average 43%
Northeast (district 20)
Gluepot Reserve (Gluepot) 32.5 +0.8 43.0 18th 12.9 -1.0 5.3 7th 22.4 27.9 average 80%
Yunta Airstrip 32.2 +0.7 40.8 5th 13.8 -0.8 5.8 2nd 28.6 16.4 high 174%
Lower North (district 21)
Clare High School 29.1 +1.4 39.5 18th 12.2 -0.5 4.9 7th 7.0 36.2 low 19%
Port Pirie Aerodrome AWS 31.6 +0.2 42.9 18th 14.6 -0.9 6.8 7th 1.0 23.5 low 4%
Snowtown (Rayville Park) 31.5 +1.0 42.0 18th 11.8 -0.6 5.2 7th 4.6 28.7 low 16%
Yorke Peninsula (district 22A)
Edithburgh 25.2 +1.1 42.2 18th 14.1 -0.8 7.0 8th 6.4 17.6 low 36%
Kadina AWS 29.1 -0.2 41.4 18th 12.8 -0.7 7.0 8th 2.4 30.7 v low 8%
Maitland 29.9 +2.8 40.9 18th 14.0 +0.2 7.8 16th 0.8 23.7 v low 3%
Minlaton Aero 28.1 +0.3 41.4 18th 13.3 -0.2 4.6 7th 0.8 19.4 v low 4%
Price 29.4 +2.1 40.9 18th 14.6 +0.5 9.9 2nd 4.0 19.1 low 21%
Stenhouse Bay 24.0 +0.6 39.8 18th 14.9 -0.2 9.1 3rd 1.4 16.3 lowest 9%
Kangaroo Island (district 22B)
Cape Borda 21.7 -0.9 33.2 18th 12.1 -0.9 9.2 16th 13.8 22.9 average 60%
Cape Willoughby 21.7 +1.0 36.4 29th 14.7 +0.2 10.7 2nd 18.8 22.9 average 82%
Kingscote Aero 26.0 +0.9 41.0 18th 11.0 -0.1 3.8 7th 15.0 19.5 average 77%
Parndana CFS AWS 24.7 0.0 39.2 18th 11.2 -0.1 4.8 7th 23.4 26.6 average 88%
Adelaide Plains (district 23A)
Adelaide (West Terrace / ngayirdapira) 27.8 +0.9 40.9 18th 14.9 -0.2 9.5 7th 2.8 26.1 v low 11%
Adelaide Airport 27.4 40.9 18th 13.8 7.8 7th 1.2
Adelaide Airport M.O. 26.8 +0.9 39.7 18th 14.8 +0.1 9.0 7th 1.8 23.5 v low 8%
Edinburgh RAAF 29.1 +1.0 42.0 18th 14.9 +0.1 9.3 7th 9.8 24.6 low 40%
Parafield Airport 29.3 +1.3 42.1 18th 13.8 -1.0 7.4 7th 4.2 24.5 v low 17%
Roseworthy AWS 30.2 +0.6 42.6 18th 12.4 -0.2 4.4 7th 1.2 24.3 v low 5%
County Light (district 23B)
Nuriootpa PIRSA 28.7 +1.1 40.1 18th 11.0 -1.4 3.2 7th 6.0 29.4 low 20%
Mount Lofty Ranges (district 23C)
Hindmarsh Island AWS 24.7 +0.1 40.9 18th 14.2 -0.5 9.3 16th 8.2 24.7 low 33%
Kuitpo Forest Reserve 23.9 -0.1 36.8 18th 12.4 -0.2 6.5 7th 7.6 35.8 v low 21%
Mount Barker 26.4 +1.2 38.0 29th 11.2 +0.6 5.6 7th 7.8 35.1 v low 22%
Mount Crawford AWS 25.3 +0.1 36.9 18th 11.8 -0.3 5.9 26th 5.8 32.1 low 18%
Mount Lofty 23.0 +2.5 34.5 18th 10.9 +0.1 5.2 26th 7.2 49.4 v low 15%
Noarlunga 26.6 +0.1 40.0 18th 15.1 -0.3 11.1 2nd 2.0 21.9 v low 9%
Parawa (Second Valley Forest AWS) 22.3 +0.5 37.0 18th 11.9 -0.2 7.1 7th 10.4 35.6 low 29%
Victor Harbor (Encounter Bay) 24.2 +0.2 40.7 18th 12.4 -0.4 6.9 3rd 14.4 28.2 low 51%
Upper Murray Valley (district 24A)
Loxton Research Centre 31.6 +1.5 43.0 18th 12.5 -0.8 6.8 7th 6.4 22.0 low 29%
Renmark Aero 32.2 +0.8 43.5 18th 13.5 -0.9 7.1 2nd 3.0 20.2 low 15%
Lower Murray Valley (district 24B)
Eudunda 28.3 +1.1 39.2 18th 13.1 +0.7 2.7 7th 7.3 26.0 low 28%
Meningie 26.1 +1.3 37.0 12th 1.0 23.9 v low 4%
Murray Bridge 29.0 +1.1 42.3 18th 13.3 0.0 8.9 26th 10.3 23.6 average 44%
Murray Bridge (Pallamana Aerodrome) 28.7 -0.1 41.7 18th 11.8 -0.7 7.1 27th 5.8 25.1 low 23%
Strathalbyn Racecourse 26.7 +0.5 40.8 18th 12.6 -0.4 6.8 16th 3.8 23.3 low 16%
Murray Mallee (district 25A)
Karoonda 29.9 +0.3 42.9 18th 11.9 -0.8 4.0 2nd 5.4 24.3 low 22%
Upper Southeast (district 25B)
Keith 28.3 +0.5 41.3 18th 10.6 -1.3 5.6 7th 12.3 26.6 low 46%
Keith (Munkora) 28.3 -0.6 42.2 18th 9.4 -1.2 3.8 7th 7.0 28.3 low 25%
Lameroo (Austin Plains) 30.0 +0.3 42.7 18th 11.2 -0.9 4.8 15th 10.6 25.6 average 41%
Lower Southeast (district 26)
Cape Jaffa (The Limestone) 23.1 +0.2 37.3 29th 12.6 +0.2 8.4 11th 15.0 22.7 average 66%
Coonawarra 25.3 +0.2 39.2 18th 8.5 -1.7 0.6 7th 19.6 35.8 average 55%
Mount Gambier Aero 23.8 +0.7 38.9 18th 9.9 -0.1 4.7 7th 35.4 38.6 average 92%
Naracoorte Aerodrome 27.1 -0.2 41.4 18th 9.2 -1.0 2.7 16th 17.8 35.4 average 50%
Padthaway South 26.6 -0.3 39.9 18th 9.0 -1.7 2.1 7th 18.6 31.0 average 60%
Robe 20.8 -0.5 32.9 29th 12.8 +0.1 8.0 16th 31.9 27.9 average 114%
Robe Airfield 22.1 -0.8 35.1 29th 11.5 -0.4 5.4 16th 29.4 29.2 average 101%

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notes

The Monthly climate summary, usually published in the first week of the following month, lists the main features of the weather in South Australia using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated.

This statement has been prepared based on information available on Monday 5 January 2026. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

In some situations, some or all of the rainfall is in the form of hail or snow. In these cases, the totals given are for the water equivalent: the depth of liquid water that results from melting any frozen precipitation. There can be significant 'undercatch' of snow in strong winds, meaning the true precipitation can be higher than that reported.

Averages for individual sites are long-term means based on observations from all available years of record, excluding the current year. The length of record can vary widely from site to site. Averages are not shown for sites with fewer than 10 years of record, as they cannot then be calculated reliably.
The median is sometimes more representative than the mean of long-term average rain.

The Rank indicates how rainfall this time compares with the climate record for the site, based on the decile ranking (very low rainfall is in decile 1, low in decile 2 or 3, average in decile 4 to 7, high in decile 8 or 9 and very high is in decile 10).
The Fraction of average shows how much rain has fallen this time as a percentage of the long-term mean.

Where temperature area averages are mentioned, they are derived from the ACORN-SAT dataset.

Information about Australian Indigenous seasonal calendars is available at the Indigenous Weather Knowledge website.

Creative Commons By Attribution logo Unless otherwise noted, all maps, graphs and diagrams in this page are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence

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