View source for Climate of Australia

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{pp-semi-indef}}
[[File:Australia Köppen.svg|thumb|334x334px|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate types]] in Australia]]
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
The '''Climate of Australia''' is the second driest of any continent, after Antarctica. According to the [[Bureau of Meteorology]] (BOM), 80% of the land receives less than {{convert|600|mm|abbr=on|0}} of rainfall annually and 50% has even less than {{convert|300|mm|abbr=on|0}}.<ref>[https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090317054300/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/96122/20090317-1643/www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/ausclim/ausclim.html Climate of Australia]{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> As a whole, Australia has a very low annual average rainfall of {{convert|419|mm|abbr=on|0}}.<ref>{{cite book|year=1997|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uwQ7FulHCCsC&pg=PA376|title=Precipitation in Australia|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-12519-2|page=376|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=12 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912220643/https://books.google.com/books?id=uwQ7FulHCCsC&pg=PA376|url-status=live}}</ref>

This dryness is governed mostly by the [[Subtropics|subtropical]] [[high pressure]] belt ([[Horse latitudes|subtropical ridge]]), which brings dry air from the upper atmosphere down onto the continent. This is typically to the south of Australia in the summer and over the north of Australia in the winter. Hence Australia typically has dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north. The [[Intertropical Convergence Zone]] also moves south in Australia's summer, bringing the [[Australian monsoon]] to parts of northern Australia. The climate is variable, with frequent droughts lasting several seasons, caused in part by the [[El Niño-Southern Oscillation]]. Australia has a wide variety of climates due to its large geographical size. The largest part of Australia is [[desert]] or [[Semi-arid climate|semi-arid]]. Only the south-east and south-west corners have a [[temperate climate]] and moderately [[Soil fertility|fertile soil]]. The northern part of the country has a [[tropical climate]], varying between [[grassland]]s and desert, and subject to some of the largest interannual rainfall variability in the world.<ref>[https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/clim/12/12/1520-0442_1999_012_3457_gpoirv_2.0.co_2.xml How will southern hemisphere subtropical anticyclones respond to global warming? Mechanisms and seasonality in CMIP5 and CMIP6 model projections]</ref> Australia holds many heat-related records: the continent has the hottest extended region year-round, the areas with the hottest summer climate, and the highest sunshine duration.

Because Australia is separated from polar regions by the [[Southern Ocean]], it is not subject to movements of frigid polar air during winter, of the type that sweep over the continents in the northern hemisphere during their winter. Consequently, Australia's winter is relatively mild, with less contrast between summer and winter temperatures than in the northern continents&ndash;though the transition is more dramatically marked in the far inland areas, particularly west of the [[Great Dividing Range]]. Seasonal highs and lows can still be considerable. Temperatures have ranged from above {{convert|50|C}} to as low as {{convert|-23.0|C}}. Minimum temperatures are moderated.

The El Niño–Southern Oscillation is associated with seasonal abnormality in many areas in the world. Australia is one of the [[continent]]s most affected and experiences [[Drought in Australia|extensive drought]]s alongside considerable wet periods. Occasionally a [[dust storm]] will blanket a region and there are reports of the occasional [[tornado]]. Tropical cyclones, [[heat wave]]s, [[Bushfires in Australia|bushfire]]s and [[frost]]s in the country are also associated with the Southern Oscillation. Rising levels of [[salinity]] and [[desertification]] in some areas is ravaging the landscape.

[[Climate change in Australia]] is a highly contentious political issue.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/30/science/earth/human-related-climate-change-led-to-extreme-heat-scientists-say.html ''Scientists Trace Extreme Heat in Australia to Climate Change''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004215609/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/30/science/earth/human-related-climate-change-led-to-extreme-heat-scientists-say.html |date=4 October 2019 }} 29 September 2014 NYT</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=State of the Climate 2014|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/state-of-the-climate/|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=29 March 2014|archive-date=12 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112120159/http://www.bom.gov.au/state-of-the-climate/|url-status=live}}</ref> Temperatures in the country rose by approximately 0.7&nbsp;°C between 1910 and 2004, following an [[global warming|increasing trend of global warming]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s3956656.htm|title=CSIRO report says Australia getting hotter with more to come|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=4 March 2014|access-date=20 April 2014|archive-date=16 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516052359/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s3956656.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Overnight minimum temperatures have warmed more rapidly than daytime maximum temperatures in recent years. The late-20th century warming has been largely attributed to the increased [[greenhouse effect]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/bbd307d0202ca25bca2570de00032610!OpenDocument#CLIMATE%20CHANGE|title="Stats" (Australian Government)|access-date=19 May 2013|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430131351/http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/bbd307d0202ca25bca2570de00032610!OpenDocument#CLIMATE%20CHANGE|url-status=live}}</ref>

==States and territories==
===Australian Capital Territory===
[[File:Snow on Mount Tennent during July 2013.jpg|thumb|230px|Light snow on [[Mount Tennent]], which features dry [[sclerophyll]] woodlands.]]
[[File:Autumn in Canberra.jpg|thumb|230px|[[Autumn foliage]] in [[Canberra]].]]
Because of its higher general elevation of over {{convert|650|m|abbr=on}}, southern latitude and entirely landlocked location, winters are exclusively cool to cold in the Australian Capital Territory. [[Canberra]] has warm, dry summers with cool nights and some thunderstorms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/water/nwa/2019/canberra/climateandwater/climateandwater.shtml|title=Canberra: Climate and water|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=11 February 2020|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813063725/http://www.bom.gov.au/water/nwa/2019/canberra/climateandwater/climateandwater.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Heavy [[frost]]s are commonplace and [[radiation fog]] often occurs. Many of the higher mountains to the territory's west are snow-covered for a large part of the winter and early spring. Severe thunderstorms can occur between October and March, and annual rainfall is {{convert|623|mm|abbr=on|0}}, with rainfall highest in spring and summer, and lowest in winter. The region is dry throughout its entirety due to its position on the [[leeward]] side of the [[Brindabella Range]]s.

The highest temperature recorded in the ACT was {{convert|44.0|C|abbr=}} at [[Canberra Airport]] on 4 January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BOM_ACT/status/1213311040710234117?s=20|title=Untitled|quote=Canberra has reached 43.6C—a new hottest temperature record for any month. The previous Canberra records are 42.2C at Canberra Airport in 1968 and 42.8C at the now-closed Acton site in 1939.|last=Territory|first=Bureau of Meteorology Australian Capital|date=3 January 2020|website=@BOM_ACT|language=en|access-date=4 January 2020|archive-date=18 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118030211/https://twitter.com/BOM_ACT/status/1213311040710234117?s=20|url-status=live}}</ref> The lowest temperature was {{convert|-14.6|C}} at [[Gudgenby River|Gudgenby]] on 11 July 1971.<ref>[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]], [http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/b5186097bad6b76cca256b3400819cd1 2002 Yearbook of Australia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012125015/http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs%40.nsf/0/b5186097bad6b76cca256b3400819cd1|date=12 October 2012}}. Retrieved 22 July 2007.</ref>

===New South Wales===
{{see also|Climate of Sydney}}
[[File:New South Wales Köppen.svg|thumb|300px|Köppen climate classification map of New South Wales]]
[[File:My Favourite Valley - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Temperate climate|Temperate]] [[grassland]]s in the [[Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales|Kangaroo Valley]], typical along the eastern coast of the state.]]
[[File:Mount Wilson.jpg|thumb|Autumn at [[Mount Wilson, New South Wales|Mount Wilson]].]]
Over half of [[New South Wales]] has an [[arid]] or [[semi-arid climate]]. The eastern portion has a [[temperate climate]], ranging from [[Humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] from its northern border to the [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]] and most of Sydney, and [[oceanic climate|oceanic]] to the south coast. The [[Snowy Mountains]] region in the south-east falls in the [[alpine climate]] or [[subpolar oceanic climate]] zone, with cool to cold weather all year around and regular heavy snowfalls in the winter and spring. Further inland, the climate is semi-arid and a [[desert climate]] towards the western part of the state.

The weather in the southern half of the state is generally warm to hot in summer and cool in the winter. The seasons are more defined in the southern half of the state, especially in the [[South West Slopes]], [[Central West (New South Wales)|Central West]] and the [[Riverina]] regions. On the coast and anywhere east of the dividing range, a summer rainfall peak is observed throughout its entire latitudinal span. On the ranges and farther inland, rainfall usually peaks in spring in most parts of the state; though the South West Slopes region, in the south-central part of the state (bordering [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]]), has a distinct winter rainfall peak; whereas the New England and [[North West Slopes]] regions have a summer rainfall peak. On a hot summer day, a [[southerly buster]] may at times moderate the extreme heat experienced in the coastal New South Wales region, from [[Port Macquarie]] southwards to [[Nowra]].<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/social/2011/10/southerly-busters/ Southerly Busters Explained] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817121336/http://www.bom.gov.au/social/2011/10/southerly-busters/ |date=17 August 2013 }}. The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 21 February 2012.</ref>

The warmest region by annual maxima is the [[Far West (New South Wales)|Upper Western]], where summers are extremely hot, but winters relatively cooler and dry. The weather in the [[Northern Rivers|northeast region]] of the state, or the [[New South Wales North Coast|North Coast]], bordering [[Queensland]], is moderately hot, humid and rainy in the summer, and mild in winter with more sunshine; and little seasonal temperature difference. The [[Northern Tablelands]] have relatively milder summers and colder winters, due to their high elevation and inland location on the [[Great Dividing Range]]. The southeast [[coastal plain]], which lies on the [[leeward]] side of the Great Dividing Range, experiences [[southeast Australian foehn|foehn winds]], particularly between winter and spring, which can elevate fire danger.<ref>{{cite news|title=Foehn-Like Winds and Elevated Fire Danger Conditions in Southeastern Australia|url=https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/apme/49/6/2010jamc2219.1.xml#i1558-8432-49-6-1067-f06|author=Jason J. Sharples, Graham A. Mills, Richard H. D. McRae, and Rodney O. Weber|publisher=American Meteorological Society|work=Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008011433/https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/apme/49/6/2010jamc2219.1.xml#i1558-8432-49-6-1067-f06|url-status=live}}</ref>

The coldest region is the [[Snowy Mountains]] where the snow and ice continues for a long period during the winter months. The [[Blue Mountains (New South Wales)|Blue Mountains]], [[Southern Tablelands]] and [[Central Tablelands]], which are situated on the Great Dividing Range, have mild to warm summers and cold winters, although not as severe as those in the Snowy Mountains. The areas situated in the valleys of the range, such as [[Bathurst, New South Wales|Bathurst]], [[Goulburn]], [[Bowral]] and [[Cooma]], among other places, have recorded freezing and/or near-freezing lows even in the summer months, unlike other places of similar latitude and altitude in the northern hemisphere.

The highest maximum temperature recorded was {{convert|50.1|C}} at [[Wilcannia]] in the state's north-west on 11 January 1939. The lowest minimum temperature was {{convert|-23.0|C}} at [[Charlotte Pass, New South Wales|Charlotte Pass]] on 29 June 1994 in the Snowy Mountains. This is also the lowest temperature recorded in the whole of Australia excluding [[Australian Antarctic Territory]].<ref name="weatherrecords">{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records/national.pdf|title=Rainfall and Temperature Records: National|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)|access-date=17 November 2009|archive-date=10 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110130846/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records/national.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rainfall varies throughout the state. The far northwest receives the least, less than {{convert|180|mm|abbr=on|0}} annually, while the east receives between {{convert|600|and|1200|mm|abbr=on|0}} of rain.

[[File:Labelled map of New South Wales for Climate of Australia article.svg|thumb|300px|Labelled map of New South Wales showing where the places mentioned in the table are located]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Place
!Climate type
!January mean max. temp
!January mean min. temp
!July mean max. temp
!July mean min. temp
!No. clear days
!Annual precipitation
|-
|[[Albury]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_072023_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=10 January 2020|archive-date=30 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230024703/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_072023_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|31|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|4|C|0}}
|align=center | 108
|align=center | {{convert|699|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Armidale]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_056238_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=10 January 2020|archive-date=11 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611055002/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_056238_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Subtropical highland climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|26|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|14|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|1|C|0}}
|align=center | 106<ref>{{cite web|title=Armidale Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_056002.shtml|access-date=16 April 2009|archive-date=6 May 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990506101155/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_056002.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | {{convert|743|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Broken Hill]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Broken Hill Airport Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_047048.shtml|access-date=16 April 2009|archive-date=31 August 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040831111244/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_047048.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Hot desert climate|''BWh'']]
|align=center | {{convert|33|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|19|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|15|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | 137
|align=center | {{convert|245|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Charlotte Pass, New South Wales|Charlotte Pass]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_071003_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=7 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907231716/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_071003_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

|align=center | [[Subpolar oceanic climate|''Cfc'']]/[[subantarctic climate|''Dfc'']]
|align=center | {{convert|18|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|2|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|-7|C|0}}
|align=center | 78
|align=center | {{convert|1948|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Coffs Harbour]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Coffs Harbour Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_059040.shtml|access-date=16 April 2009|archive-date=7 May 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990507013740/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_059040.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|27|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|20|C|F|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|19|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|8|C|F|0}}
|align=center | 122
|align=center | {{convert|1668|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Orange, New South Wales|Orange]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Orange Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_063254_All.shtml|access-date=10 January 2017|archive-date=6 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406221209/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_063254_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|27|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|10|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|2|C|0}}
|align=center | 100
|align=center | {{convert|927|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Penrith, New South Wales|Penrith]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Penrith Lakes Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_067113_All.shtml|access-date=16 April 2009|archive-date=15 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615033209/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_067113_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|31|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|18|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|18|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | 103
|align=center | {{convert|696|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Sydney]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney (Observatory Hill) Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/cvg/av?p_stn_num=066062&p_prim_element_index=0&p_comp_element_index=0&redraw=null&p_display_type=full_statistics_table&normals_years=1991-2020&tablesizebutt=normal|access-date=16 April 2009|archive-date=9 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209095647/http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/cvg/av?p_stn_num=066062&p_prim_element_index=0&p_comp_element_index=0&redraw=null&p_display_type=full_statistics_table&normals_years=1991-2020&tablesizebutt=normal|url-status=live}}</ref> (capital)
|align=center | [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|27|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|20|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|9|C|0}}
|align=center | 104
|align=center | {{convert|1150|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Wagga Wagga]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Wagga Wagga Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_072150.shtml|access-date=16 April 2009|archive-date=17 August 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817065819/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_072150.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|32|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|16|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|3|C|0}}
|align=center | 124
|align=center | {{convert|566|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Wollongong]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Wollongong Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_068188_All.shtml|access-date=16 April 2009|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129052420/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_068188_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|26|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|18|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|8|C|0}}
|align=center | 107
|align=center | {{convert|1346|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|}

=== Northern Territory ===
[[File:Northern Territory Köppen.svg|thumb|300px|Köppen map of the Northern Territory]]
{| class="toccolours" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin-right:.5em; margin-left:.50em; margin-top:.4em; font-size:90%;"
|-
| colspan="5" style="background:#cef; text-align:center;"| Average monthly maximum<br />temperature in Northern Territory
|- style="background:#ccc; vertical-align:top;"
!Month
!Darwin
!Alice Springs
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|January
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|31.8|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|36.4|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|February
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|31.4|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|35.1|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|March
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|31.9|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|32.7|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|April
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|32.7|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|28.2|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|May
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|32.0|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|23.0|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|June
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|30.6|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|19.8|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|July
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|30.5|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|19.7|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|August
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|31.3|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|22.5|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|September 
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|32.5|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|27.2|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|October
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|33.2|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|31.0|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|November
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|33.3|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|33.6|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|December
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|32.6|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|35.4|C|1}}
|-
| colspan="5" style="font-size:80%; background:#cef; text-align:center;"| Source: Bureau of Meteorology<ref>{{cite web|title=Summary statistics Darwin Airport|publisher=BOM|date=15 July 2009|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_014015.shtml|access-date=26 July 2009|archive-date=30 January 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980130072336/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_014015.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Summary statistics Alice Springs Airport|publisher=BOM|date=16 July 2009|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_015590.shtml|access-date=26 July 2009|archive-date=2 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602125448/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_015590.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

The [[Northern Territory]] has two distinctive climate zones. The northern end, including [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], has a [[tropical savanna climate|tropical savannah climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen ''Aw'']])<ref>{{cite web|title=CHAPTER 7: Introduction to the Atmosphere|work=physicalgeography.net|url=http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/7v.html|access-date=15 July 2008|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015060602/http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/7v.html|url-status=live}}</ref> with high humidity and two seasons, the wet (October to April) and dry season (May to September). During the dry season nearly every day is warm and sunny, and afternoon humidity averages around 30%. There is very little rainfall between May and September. In the coolest months of June and July, the daily minimum temperature may dip as low as {{convert|14|C}}, but very rarely lower, and frost has never been recorded.

The wet season is associated with [[tropical cyclone]]s and [[monsoon]] rains. The majority of rainfall occurs between December and March (the [[Southern Hemisphere]] summer), when thunderstorms are common and afternoon relative humidity averages over 70% during the wettest months. On average more than {{convert|1570|mm|abbr=on}} of rain falls in the north. Thunderstorms can produce spectacular [[lightning]] displays.

[[File:Evening monsoonal squall.jpg|thumb|left|Monsoonal squall nears Darwin]]
The rest of the territory lies in the desert centre of the country; it includes [[Alice Springs]] and [[Uluru]], and is arid or semi-arid with little rain usually falling during the hottest months from October to March. Its seasons are more defined than the northern parts, with summers being very hot, with average temperatures often exceeding {{convert|35|C}}, and winters relatively cool with average minimum temperatures dipping as low as {{convert|5|C}}, with a few frosty nights. Central Australia receives less than {{convert|250|mm|0|abbr=on}} of annual rainfall.

The highest maximum temperature recorded in the territory was {{convert|48.3|C}} at [[Aputula|Finke]] on 1 and 2 January 1960. The lowest minimum temperature was {{convert|-7.5|C}} at Alice Springs on 17 July 1976.<ref name="weatherrecords"/>

===Queensland===
[[File:Queensland Köppen.svg|thumb|300px|Köppen map of Queensland]]

Because of its size, there is significant variation in climate across the state. Low rainfall and hot summers are typical for the inland west, a monsoonal 'wet' season in the far north, and warm [[Subtropics|subtropical]] conditions along the coastal strip. Inland and in southern ranges cooler temperatures are experienced, especially at nights. The climate of the coastal strip is influenced by warm ocean waters, keeping the region free from extremes of temperature and providing moisture for rainfall.<ref>[https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090317054300/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/96122/20090317-1643/www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/ausclim/ausclimqld.html BOM – Climate of Queensland]{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

There are five predominant climatic zones in Queensland,<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cgi_bin_scripts/clim_classification.cgi BOM – Australian climatic zones]{{dead link|date=November 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> based on temperature and humidity:
* hot humid summer (far north and coastal)
* warm humid summer (coastal elevated hinterlands and coastal south-east)
* hot dry summer, mild winter (central west)
* hot dry summer, cold winter (southern west)
* temperate – warm summer, cold winter (inland south-east, e.g. [[Granite Belt]])

[[File:Kelsey Creek-Dittmer Mountains.jpg|thumb|left|280px|Grassland typical of Queensland and mountain ranges near [[Proserpine, Queensland|Proserpine]]]]

However, most of the Queensland populace experience two weather seasons: a winter period of rather warm temperatures with minimal rainfall, and a sultry summer period of hot, sticky temperatures and more rain.

The highest maximum temperature observed in the state is {{convert|49.5|C}} at [[Birdsville]] on 24 December 1972. The temperature of {{convert|53.1|C|1}} at [[Cloncurry, Queensland|Cloncurry]] on 16 January 1889 is not considered official; the figure quoted from Birdsville is the next highest, so that record is considered as being official.

The lowest minimum temperature is {{convert|−10.6|C}} at [[Stanthorpe, Queensland|Stanthorpe]] on 23 June 1961 and at The Hermitage on 12 July 1965.<ref name="weatherrecords"/>

[[File:Labelled_map_of_Queensland_for_Climate_of_Australia_article.svg|thumb|300px|Labelled map of Queensland showing where the places mentioned in the table are located]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Place
!Climate type
!January max. temp
!January min. temp
!July max. Temp
!July min. temp
!No. clear days
!Annual precipitation
|-
|[[Birdsville]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_038002_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=16 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516120611/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_038002_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Hot desert climate|''BWh'']]
|align=center | {{convert|39|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|24|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|21|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|7|C|0}}
|align=center | 221
|align=center | {{convert|164|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Brisbane]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Brisbane Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_040913.shtml|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=17 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017042950/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_040913.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> (capital)
|align=center | [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|30|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|21|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|22|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|10|C|0}}
|align=center | 123
|align=center | {{convert|1022|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Cairns]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Cairns Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_031011_All.shtml|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=11 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111032613/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_031011_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Tropical monsoon climate|''Am'']]
|align=center | {{convert|32|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|24|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|26|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | 90
|align=center | {{convert|1982|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Gold CoastClimate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_040764_All.shtml|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=1 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201233107/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_040764_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|29|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|22|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|21|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
|align=center | N/A
|align=center | {{convert|1273|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Mackay Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_033119_All.shtml|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=4 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304073924/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_033119_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cwa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|30|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|24|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|21|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | 123
|align=center | {{convert|1610|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Mount Isa]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Mt Isa Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_029127_All.shtml|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=6 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106101907/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_029127_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Hot semi-arid climate|''BSh'']]
|align=center | {{convert|37|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|24|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|25|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|9|C|0}}
|align=center | 175
|align=center | {{convert|462|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Rockhampton]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Rockhampton Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_039083_All.shtml|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510054441/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_039083_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|32|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|22|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|23|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|10|C|0}}
|align=center | 116
|align=center | {{convert|812|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Stanthorpe]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_041095_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=7 January 2020|archive-date=9 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509133729/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_041095_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Subtropical highland climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|27|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|16|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|15|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|1|C|0}}
|align=center | 42
|align=center | {{convert|762|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Toowoomba]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Toowoomba Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_041103_All.shtml|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=4 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504022945/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_041103_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|28|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|16|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | 114
|align=center | {{convert|952|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Townsville]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Townsville Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_032040_All.shtml|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=5 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205185122/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_032040_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Tropical savanna climate|''Aw'']]
|align=center | {{convert|31|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|24|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|25|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|14|C|0}}
|align=center | 121
|align=center | {{convert|1132|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Weipa]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_027045_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510051820/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_027045_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Tropical savanna climate|''Aw'']]
|align=center | {{convert|32|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|24|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|31|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|19|C|0}}
|align=center | 54
|align=center | {{convert|1911|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|}

===South Australia===
{{see also|Climate of Adelaide}}
[[File:South Australia Köppen.svg|thumb|300px|Köppen map of South Australia]]
The majority of the state has the [[arid]] and [[semi-arid climate]]s. The southern coastal parts of the state have a [[Mediterranean climate]] with mild wet winters and hot dry summers. The highest rainfall occurs along the southern coasts and the [[Mount Lofty]] Ranges (with an average annual rainfall of {{convert|1200|mm|0}} in the vicinity of [[Mount Lofty]]); the lowest rainfall occurs in the [[Lake Eyre basin]] where the average annual totals are less than {{convert|150|mm|0}} and possibly even {{convert|100|mm|0}}. Most of the rain in the southern districts of the State fall during the winter months when the sub-tropical high-pressure belt is displaced to the north over the Australian continent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlas.sa.gov.au/go/resources/atlas-of-south-australia-1986/environment-resources/climate-and-weather|title=Atlas of South Australia &#124; Climate and Weather|access-date=6 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315233707/http://www.atlas.sa.gov.au/go/resources/atlas-of-south-australia-1986/environment-resources/climate-and-weather|archive-date=15 March 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Central-plains.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Typical desert landscape north of [[Coober Pedy]]]]
South Australia's mean temperature range is {{convert|29|C|0}} in January and {{convert|15|C|0}} in July. Daily temperatures in parts of the state in January and February can be up to {{convert|50|C|F|0|abbr=on}}. The highest maximum temperature was recorded as {{convert|50.7|C|1}} at [[Oodnadatta]] on 2 January 1960, which is the highest official temperature recorded in Australia. The lowest minimum temperature was {{convert|-8.0|C|1}} at [[Yongala, South Australia|Yongala]] on 20 July 1976.<ref name="weatherrecords"/>

[[File:Labelled map of South Australia for Climate of Australia article.svg|thumb|300px|Labelled map of South Australia showing where the places mentioned in the table are located]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Place
!Climate type
!January max. temp
!January min. temp
!July max. temp
!July min. temp
!No. clear days
!Annual precipitation
|-
|[[Adelaide]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Adelaide Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_023090_All.shtml|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-date=3 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403204623/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_023090_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> (capital)
|align=center | [[Hot-summer Mediterranean climate|''Csa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|29|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|15|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|7|C|0}}
|align=center | 87 
|align=center | {{convert|551|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Kingscote, South Australia|Kingscote]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_022807_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=7 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007094554/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_022807_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|''Csb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|24|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|15|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|15|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|8|C|0}}
|align=center | 62
|align=center | {{convert|489|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Mount Gambier]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Mount Gambier Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_026021_All.shtml|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-date=22 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922010113/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_026021_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|''Csb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|25|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|11|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | 40
|align=center | {{convert|710|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Oodnadatta]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Oodnadatta Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_017043_All.shtml|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=18 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118203649/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_017043_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Hot desert climate|''BWh'']]
|align=center | {{convert|38|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|23|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|20|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|6|C|0}}
|align=center | 182
|align=center | {{convert|176|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Port Augusta]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Port Augusta Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_018201_All.shtml|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-date=9 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109021556/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_018201_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Hot desert climate|''BWh'']]
|align=center | {{convert|34|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|19|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|18|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | 142
|align=center | {{convert|218|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
| [[Stirling, South Australia|Stirling]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_023785_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=26 December 2019|archive-date=21 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121000113/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_023785_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
| align=center | [[Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|''Csb'']]/[[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
| align=center | {{convert|25|C|0}}
| align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
| align=center | {{convert|11|C|0}}
| align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
| align=center | 71
| align=center | {{convert|1107|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Whyalla]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Whyalla Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_018120_All.shtml|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-date=16 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916110538/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_018120_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Hot semi-arid climate|''BSh'']]
|align=center | {{convert|30|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|18|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | 63
|align=center | {{convert|267|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|}

===Tasmania===
[[File:Tasmania Köppen.svg|thumb|right|240px|Köppen-Geiger climate types of Tasmania]]
{{main|Climate of Tasmania}}
[[Tasmania]] has a cool temperate climate, with most areas under an [[oceanic climate]] (''Cfb''), with four distinct seasons. Summer lasts from December to February when the average maximum sea temperature is {{convert|21|C|0}} and inland areas around [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]] reach {{convert|24|C|0}}. Other inland areas are much cooler; [[Liawenee]], located on the [[Central Plateau Conservation Area|Central Plateau]], is one of the coldest places in Australia with February temperatures ranging between {{convert|4|and|17|C|6=0}}. Autumn lasts between March and May and experiences changeable weather, where summer weather patterns gradually take on the shape of winter patterns.<ref>{{cite news|title=Climate of Launceston|work=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/tas/launceston/climate.shtml|access-date=1 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222154659/http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/tas/launceston/climate.shtml|archive-date=22 February 2009}}</ref>

The highest recorded maximum temperature in Tasmania was {{convert|42.2|C|1}} at [[Scamander, Tasmania|Scamander]] on 30 January 2009, during the [[Early 2009 southeastern Australia heat wave|2009 south-eastern Australia heat wave]]. Tasmania's lowest recorded minimum temperature was {{convert|-14.2|C|1}} on 7 August 2020, at Liawenee.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Liawenee in Tasmania's Central Highlands breaks record for coldest temperature in island state|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-07/record-low-temperature-at-coldest-tasmanian-town-liawenee/12533394|last=McIntyre|first=Damian|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|date=7 August 2020|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807235100/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-07/record-low-temperature-at-coldest-tasmanian-town-liawenee/12533394|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Labelled map of Tasmania for Climate of Australia article.svg|thumb|300px|Map of Tasmania with the locations shown in the table labelled]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Place
!Climate type
!January max. temp
!January min. temp
!July max. temp
!July min. temp
!No. clear days
!Annual precipitation
|-
|[[Burnie]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_091009_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110901/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_091009_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|21|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|6|C|0}}
|align=center | 52
|align=center | {{convert|958|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Devonport, Tasmania|Devonport]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Devonport Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_091126_All.shtml|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-date=30 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130054340/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_091126_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|''Csb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|21|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | 56
|align=center | {{convert|773|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Flinders Island, Tasmania|Flinders Island]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_099005_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=9 January 2020|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015110/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_099005_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|22|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|14|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|6|C|0}}
|align=center | 47
|align=center | {{convert|741|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Hobart]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Hobart Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_094029_All.shtml|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-date=7 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107070355/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_094029_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> (capital)
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|22|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | 41
|align=center | {{convert|615|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[King Island, Tasmania|King Island]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_098017.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=10 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610032246/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_098017.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|''Csb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|21|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|8|C|0}}
|align=center | 20
|align=center | {{convert|854|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Launceston Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_091311_All.shtml|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-date=9 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109113315/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_091311_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|25|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|11|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|2|C|0}}
|align=center | 50
|align=center | {{convert|630|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Liawenee]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_096033_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=13 January 2020|archive-date=14 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314155126/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_096033_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Cold-summer Mediterranean climate|''Csc'']]
|align=center | {{convert|19|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|6|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|6|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|-2|C|0}}
|align=center | 22
|align=center | {{convert|923|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
| [[Queenstown, Tasmania|Queenstown]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_097034_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=7 January 2020|archive-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709005102/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_097034_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|21|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|8|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|2|C|0}}
|align=center | 29
|align=center | {{convert|2405|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[St Helens, Tasmania|St Helens]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_092120_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=9 January 2020|archive-date=9 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509035829/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_092120_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|23|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|14|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | N/A
|align=center | {{convert|666|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Strahan, Tasmania|Strahan]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Strahan Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_097072.shtml|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-date=23 November 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041123035433/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_097072.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|21|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|11|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | 16
|align=center | {{convert|1544|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|}

===Victoria===
[[File:Temperate rainforest in Great Otway National Park, Victoria.JPG|thumb|left|220px|A [[temperate rainforest]] in [[Great Otway National Park]], in the [[Barwon South West|southwest]] region of the state]]
{| class="toccolours" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin-right:.5em; margin-left:.50em; margin-top:.4em; font-size:90%;"
|-
| colspan="5" style="background:#cef; text-align:center;"| Average monthly maximum<br />temperature in Victoria
|- style="background:#ccc; vertical-align:top;"
!Month
!Melbourne
!Mildura
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|January
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|25.8|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|32.8|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|February
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|25.8|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|32.7|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|March
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|23.8|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|29.3|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|April
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|20.2|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|24.1|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|May
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|16.6|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|19.6|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|June
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|14.0|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|16.0|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|July
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|13.4|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|15.4|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|August
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|14.9|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|17.7|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|September 
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|17.2|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|21.1|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|October
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|19.6|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|25.0|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|November
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|21.8|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|29.0|C|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|December
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|24.1|C|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{convert|31.7|C|1}}
|-
| colspan="5" style="font-size:80%; background:#cef; text-align:center;"| Source: BOM
|}

Victoria has a varied climate despite its small size. It ranges from semi-arid and hot in the north-west, to temperate and cool along the coast. Victoria's main land feature, the [[Great Dividing Range]], produces a cooler, mountain climate in the centre and east of the state.

The coastal plain south of the Great Dividing Range has Victoria's mildest climate. Regular frontal systems off the Southern Ocean significantly mitigate the heat of summer. Melbourne and other large cities are located in this temperate region.

[[Mallee (Victoria)|The Mallee]] and upper [[Wimmera]] are Victoria's warmest regions with hot winds blowing from nearby deserts. Average temperatures top {{convert|32|C|0}} during summer and {{convert|15|C|0}} in winter. Victoria's highest maximum temperature of {{convert|48.8|C|1}} was recorded in [[Hopetoun, Victoria|Hopetoun]] on 7 February 2009, during the 2009 south-eastern Australia heat wave.<ref name="weatherrecords"/> A [[Stevenson screen|screen]] temperature of {{convert|50.7|C|1}} was recorded on 7 January 1906 in [[Mildura]].<ref>[http://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/hopetoun-sizzles-as-mildura-sweats/1430009.aspx Hopetoun sizzles as Mildura sweats] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114112700/http://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/hopetoun-sizzles-as-mildura-sweats/1430009.aspx|date=14 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html|work=The Age|location=Melbourne|title=City swelters, records tumble in heat|date=7 February 2009|access-date=28 March 2011|archive-date=8 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208073446/http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Australian Alps|Victorian Alps]] in the eastern and central regions constitute the coldest climate of Victoria. The Alps are part of the Great Dividing Range extending longitudinally through the centre of Victoria. Average maximum temperatures are less than {{convert|9|C|0}} in winter; below {{convert|0|C|0}} in the highest parts of the ranges. The state's lowest minimum temperature of {{convert|-11.7|C|1}} was recorded at [[Omeo]] on 13 June 1965, and again at [[Falls Creek, Victoria|Falls Creek]] on 3 July 1970.<ref name="weatherrecords"/>

Victoria is the wettest Australian state after Tasmania. Rainfall in Victoria increases from north to south, with higher averages in areas of high altitude. Median annual rainfall exceeds {{convert|1800|mm|abbr=on|0}} in some parts of the Northeast but is less than {{convert|250|mm|abbr=on|0}} in the Mallee.

Rain is heaviest in the [[Great Otway National Park|Otway Ranges]] on the southwest coast and [[West Gippsland]] in south-central Victoria, and in the mountainous Northeast. Snow often falls on the low-lying hilly country in the centre of the state, and on rare occasions may also fall to sea level on the southernmost beaches. Rain falls most frequently in winter, but summer rainfall is heavier. Rainfall is most reliable in Gippsland and the [[Western District (Victoria)|Western District]], making them both leading farming areas. Victoria's highest recorded daily rainfall was {{convert|375|mm}} at Tanybryn in the Otway Ranges on 22 March 1983.<ref name="weatherrecords"/>

[[File:Labelled map of Victoria for Climate of Australia article.svg|thumb|300px|Labelled map showing the relative locations of the places mentioned in the table]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Place
!Climate type
!January max. temp
!January min. temp
!July max. temp
!July min. temp
!No. clear days
!Annual precipitation
|-
|[[Bairnsdale]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Bairnsdale Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_085279_All.shtml|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=30 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030041057/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_085279_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|26|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|15|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|4|C|0}}
|align=center | 60
|align=center | {{convert|650|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Ballarat]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Ballarat Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_089002_All.shtml|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=12 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112151815/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_089002_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|25|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|11|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|10|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|3|C|0}}
|align=center | 55
|align=center | {{convert|690|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Bendigo]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Bendigo Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_012038_All.shtml|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325100836/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_012038_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]/[[oceanic climate|''Cfb'']] 
|align=center | {{convert|30|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|14|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|3|C|0}}
|align=center | 110
|align=center | {{convert|514|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Falls Creek, Victoria|Falls Creek]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_083084_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=9 January 2020|archive-date=29 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629080603/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_083084_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Subpolar oceanic climate|''Cfc'']]
|align=center | {{convert|18|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|9|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|1|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|-3|C|0}}
|align=center | N/A
|align=center | {{convert|1274|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Geelong]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_087163_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604052516/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_087163_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center |  [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|25|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|14|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | 38<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_087117_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=30 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430080625/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_087117_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | {{convert|524|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Melbourne]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Melbourne Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_086071_All.shtml|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031175240/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_086071_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> (capital)
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|26|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|14|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|14|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|6|C|0}}
|align=center | 49
|align=center | {{convert|648|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Mildura]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Mildura Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_076031.shtml|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=1 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101073347/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_076031.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Semi-arid climate|''BSk'']]
|align=center | {{convert|32|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|15|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|4|C|0}}
|align=center | 132
|align=center | {{convert|291|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Portland, Victoria|Portland]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_090171_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=18 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718084337/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_090171_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|''Csb'']]/[[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|22|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|12|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|6|C|0}}
|align=center | 40
|align=center | {{convert|840|mm|abbr=on|0}}

|-
|[[Shepparton]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Shepparton Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_081125_All.shtml|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325130220/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_081125_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Cold semi-arid climate|''BSk'']]
|align=center | {{convert|32|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|15|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|3|C|0}}
|align=center | N/A
|align=center | {{convert|452|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Warrnambool]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Warrnambool Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_090082_All.shtml|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118052017/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_090082_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Oceanic climate|''Cfb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|22|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|13|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|6|C|0}}
|align=center | 53
|align=center | {{convert|743|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|}

{{Gallery
|title=Temperature and precipitation for Victoria.<br />Source: BOM – Department of Primary Industries, Australian Natural Resources Atlas
|width=300
|height=300
|align=center
|File:Victoria summer.jpg|alt1=|Average January temperatures: Victoria's north is always hotter than coastal and mountainous areas.
|File:Victoria winter.jpg|alt2=|Average July temperatures: Victoria's hills and ranges are coolest during winter. Snow also falls there.
|File:Victoria rainfall.jpg|alt3=|Average yearly precipitation: Victoria's rainfall is concentrated in the mountainous north-east and coast.
|File:Victoria Köppen.svg|alt4=|Köppen map of Victoria
}}

===Western Australia===
[[File:Western Australia Köppen.svg|thumb|300px|Köppen map of Western Australia]]
[[File:MVC-684F.JPG|left|thumb|240px|A four-wheel drive in the [[Gibson Desert]]]]
Most of Western Australia has a hot arid and semi-arid climate. However, the [[South West drainage division|south-west corner of the state]] has a [[Mediterranean climate]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate of Western Australia|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/ausclim/ausclimwa.htm|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090317054300/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/96122/20090317-1643/www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/ausclim/ausclimwa.html|archive-date=17 March 2009|access-date=6 December 2009}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The area was originally heavily forested, including large stands of the [[Eucalyptus diversicolor|karri]], one of the world's [[List of tallest trees|tallest trees]]. This agricultural region of Western Australia is in the top nine terrestrial habitats for terrestrial [[biodiversity]], with a higher proportion of [[Endemism|endemic species]] than most other equivalent regions. Due to the offshore [[Leeuwin Current]], the area numbers in the top six regions for [[Marine biology|marine biodiversity]], containing the most southerly [[coral reef]]s in the world.

Average annual rainfall varies from {{convert|300|mm|abbr=on|0}} at the edge of the [[Wheatbelt (Western Australia)|Wheatbelt]] region to {{convert|1400|mm|abbr=on|0}} in the wettest areas near [[Northcliffe, Western Australia|Northcliffe]], the southwesternmost tip of Australia, but in the months of November to March, although rain still falls, evaporation exceeds rainfall and it is generally very dry. Plants must be adapted to this as well as the extreme poverty of all soils. A major reduction in rainfall has been observed, with a greater number of rainfall events in the summer months. The central four-fifths of the state is semi-arid or desert and is lightly inhabited with the only significant activity being mining. Annual rainfall averages about {{convert|200|to|250|mm|abbr=on|0}}, most of which occurs in sporadic torrential falls related to cyclone events in summer months.

An exception to this is the northern tropical regions. The [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley]] has an extremely hot monsoonal climate with average annual rainfall ranging from {{convert|500|to|1500|mm|abbr=on|0}}, but there is a very long dry season of 7 months from April to November. Eighty-five per cent of the state's [[Surface runoff|runoff]] occurs in the Kimberley, but because it occurs in violent floods and because of the insurmountable poverty of the generally shallow soils, development has only taken place along the [[Ord River]].
[[File:Bush in Western Australia.jpg|left|thumb|240px|A [[chaparral]]-like bush land in the Mediterranean region of the state]]
Australia's tropical/subtropical location and cold waters off the western coast make most of [[Western Australia]] a hot desert with aridity a marked feature of a greater part of the continent. These cold waters produce precious little moisture needed on the mainland. A 2005 study by Australian and American researchers<ref>Miller G, Mangan J, Pollard D, Thompson S, Felzer B, et al. (2005) [http://www.gsajournals.org/gsaonline/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1130%2FG21033.1 Sensitivity of the Australian Monsoon to insolation and vegetation: Implications for human impact on continental moisture balance.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060404180943/http://www.gsajournals.org/gsaonline/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1130%2FG21033.1|date=4 April 2006}} Geology: Vol. 33, No. 1 pp. 65–68</ref> investigated the desertification of the interior, and suggested that one explanation was related to human settlers who [[Prehistory of Australia|arrived about 50,000 years ago]].

Snowfall in the state is rare, and typically only in the [[Stirling Range]] near [[Albany, Western Australia|Albany, the southwesternmost point in WA]], the only mountain range far enough south and with sufficient elevation. More rarely, snow can fall on the nearby [[Porongurup National Park|Porongurup Range]]. Snow outside these areas is a major event; it usually occurs in hilly areas of south-western Australia. The most widespread low-level snow occurred on 26 June 1956 when snow was reported in the [[Perth Hills]], as far north as [[Wongan Hills, Western Australia|Wongan Hills]] and as far east as [[Salmon Gums, Western Australia|Salmon Gums]]. However, even in the Stirling Range, snowfalls rarely exceed {{convert|5|cm|0|abbr=on}} and rarely settle for more than one day.<ref>[http://www.feargod.net/wa-snow1.php Snow in Western Australia: About Snow in WA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511051459/http://www.feargod.net/wa-snow1.php |date=11 May 2011 }}. Retrieved 4 February 2007.</ref>

The highest observed maximum temperature of {{convert|50.7|C|1}} was recorded at [[Onslow, Western Australia|Onslow]] on 13 January 2022. The lowest minimum temperature recorded was {{convert|-7.2|C|1}} at [[Eyre Bird Observatory]] on 17 August 2008.<ref name="weatherrecords"/>

[[File:Labelled map of Western Australia for Climate of Australia article.svg|thumb|300px|Map of Western Australia with the places listed in the table labelled]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Place
!Climate type
!January max. temp
!January min. temp
!July max. temp
!July min. temp
!No. clear days
!Annual precipitation
|-
|[[Albany, Western Australia|Albany]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Albany Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_009500_All.shtml|access-date=10 January 2017|archive-date=2 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102190402/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_009500_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|''Csb'']]
|align=center | {{convert|23|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|15|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|16|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|8|C|0}}
|align=center | 45
|align=center | {{convert|929|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Broome, Western Australia|Broome]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Broome Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_003003_All.shtml|access-date=10 January 2017|archive-date=6 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206154731/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_003003_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Hot semi-arid climate|''BSh'']]
|align=center | {{convert|33|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|26|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|29|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|14|C|0}}
|align=center | 182
|align=center | {{convert|613|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Eucla, Western Australia|Eucla]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_011003.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=9 January 2020|archive-date=30 January 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980130071908/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_011003.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Cold semi-arid climate|''BSk'']]
|align=center | {{convert|26|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|18|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|7|C|0}}
|align=center | 94
|align=center | {{convert|274|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Geraldton]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Geraldton Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_008051_All.shtml|access-date=10 January 2017|archive-date=18 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918023408/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_008051_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Hot-summer Mediterranean climate|''Csa'']]/[[Hot semi-arid climate|''BSh'']]
|align=center | {{convert|32|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|18|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|19|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|9|C|0}}
|align=center | 164
|align=center | {{convert|441|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Kalgoorlie]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Kalgoorlie Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_012038_All.shtml|access-date=10 January 2017|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325100836/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_012038_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Cold semi-arid climate|''BSk'']]
|align=center | {{convert|34|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|18|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|5|C|0}}
|align=center | 151
|align=center | {{convert|266|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Karratha, Western Australia|Karratha]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Karratha Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_004083_All.shtml|access-date=10 January 2017|archive-date=25 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325181130/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_004083_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Hot semi-arid climate|''BSh'']]
|align=center | {{convert|36|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|27|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|26|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|14|C|0}}
|align=center | 158
|align=center | {{convert|297|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Perth]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Perth Climate Statistics|publisher=BOM|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_009034_All.shtml|access-date=10 January 2017|archive-date=28 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528092515/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_009034_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> (capital)
|align=center | [[Hot-summer Mediterranean climate|''Csa'']]
|align=center | {{convert|30|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|18|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|9|C|0}}
|align=center | 131
|align=center | {{convert|868|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
|[[Wyndham, Western Australia|Wyndham]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_001013_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045834/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_001013_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center | [[Hot semi-arid climate|''BSh'']]
|align=center | {{convert|37|C|0}} 
|align=center | {{convert|26|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|31|C|0}}
|align=center | {{convert|17|C|0}}
|align=center | 176
|align=center | {{convert|824|mm|abbr=on|0}}

|}

===Distant Australian islands===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Island(s)
! Climate type
! Coordinates
! January max. temp
! January min. temp
! July max. temp
! July min. temp
! No. clear days
! Annual precipitation
|-
| [[Christmas Island]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_200790_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=27 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227150102/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_200790_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Tropical monsoon climate|''Am'']]
| {{coord|10|25|18|S|105|40|41|E}}
| {{convert|28|C|0}}
| {{convert|23|C|0}}
| {{convert|26|C|0}}
| {{convert|23|C|0}}
| 8
| {{convert|2199|mm|abbr=on|0}}

|-
| [[Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_200284_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=5 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605050106/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_200284_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

| [[Tropical monsoon climate|''Am'']]
| {{Coord|12|07|S|96|54|E}}
| {{convert|30|C|0}}
| {{convert|25|C|0}}
| {{convert|28|C|0}}
| {{convert|24|C|0}}
| N/A
| {{convert|1984|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
| [[Lord Howe Island]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_200839_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813063157/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_200839_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

| [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]
| {{coord|31|33|15|S|159|05|06|E}}
| {{convert|25|C|0}}
| {{convert|21|C|0}}
| {{convert|19|C|0}}
| {{convert|14|C|0}}
| 68
| {{convert|1464|mm|abbr=on|0}}

|-
| [[Macquarie Island]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_300004_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230758/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_300004_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

| [[Tundra climate|''ET'']]
| {{coord|54|30|0|S|158|57|0|E}}
| {{convert|9|C|0}}
| {{convert|5|C|0}}
| {{convert|5|C|0}}
| {{convert|2|C|0}}
| 4
| {{convert|993|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
| [[Norfolk Island]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_200288_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=9 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709011813/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_200288_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Humid subtropical climate|''Cfa'']]

| {{Coord|29.03|3=S|4=167.95|6=E}}
| {{convert|25|C|0}}
| {{convert|19|C|0}}
| {{convert|18|C|0}}
| {{convert|14|C|0}}
| 41
| {{convert|1286|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|-
| [[Willis Island]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_200283_All.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=10 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110095344/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_200283_All.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

| [[Tropical savanna climate|''Aw'']]
| {{coord|16|17|15|S|149|57|52|E}}
| {{convert|31|C|0}}
| {{convert|26|C|0}}
| {{convert|26|C|0}}
| {{convert|22|C|0}}
| 67
| {{convert|1102|mm|abbr=on|0}}
|}

==Precipitation==
[[File:Changing cloud cover over Australia.ogv|thumb|Australia sits south of the [[equator]] and under a strong, migrating zone of high-pressure called the [[subtropical ridge]]; this can lead to some interesting cloud cover. Using an advanced supercomputer climate model called GEOS-5, [[NASA]] scientists recreated 19 days of changing cloud cover over Australia. Watch the visualisation to explore the movement of different systems that formed across the continent. Look for rising [[cumulus cloud]]s that appear to bubble up over land each day.]]
[[File:Todd Weather Folios Synoptic chart 1883 Nov 10.jpg|thumb|When the [[Roaring forties]] contract towards southeastern Australia, they would usually bring rainfall and as well as snow in the southeast, particularly around the [[Australian Alps]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/12/roaring-forties-shift-south-means-more-droughts-for-southern-australia Roaring Forties' shift south means more droughts for southern Australia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031230652/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/12/roaring-forties-shift-south-means-more-droughts-for-southern-australia |date=31 October 2022 }} by Helen Davidson from [[The Guardian]]. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2022.</ref>]]
[[File:123 years of Australian rainfall.pdf|thumb|123 years of rainfall in Australia (1900–2022), report by [[Bureau of Meteorology]].]]

===Rain===
{{see also|Wet season}}
More than 80% of Australia has an annual rainfall of less than {{convert|600|mm|abbr=on|0}}; among the continents, only Antarctica receives less rainfall.<ref name="portrait">{{cite book|title=Australia: Portrait of a continent|last=Loffler|first=Ernst|author2=Anneliese Loffler|author3=A. J. Rose|author4=Denis Warner|year=1983|publisher=Hutchinson Group (Australia)|location=Richmond, Victoria|isbn=978-0-09-130460-7|pages=37–39}}</ref> A place inland near [[Lake Eyre]] (in [[South Australia]]) would only receive {{convert|81|mm|abbr=on|0}} of rain annually.<ref>{{cite book|year=1997|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uwQ7FulHCCsC&pg=PA376|title=Rain|publisher=Routledge|access-date=7 May 2012|isbn=9780415125192|archive-date=12 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912220643/https://books.google.com/books?id=uwQ7FulHCCsC&pg=PA376|url-status=live}}</ref> Another place, Troudaninna Bore ({{coord|29|11|44|S|138|59|28|E}}, altitude : 46 m) in [[South Australia]], from 1893 to 1936, received, in average, 104.9&nbsp;mm (4.13 inches) of precipitation.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=gHgz-VKdykkC&pg=PA48 Official Year Book of the Commonwealth of Australia No.50-1964, p. 48]</ref> From one extreme to another, parts of the far [[North Queensland]] coast annually average over {{convert|4000|mm|abbr=on|0}}, with the Australian annual record being {{convert|12461|mm|abbr=on|0}}, set at the summit of [[Mount Bellenden Ker]] in 2000. Four factors contribute to the dryness of the Australian landmass:

*Cold ocean currents off the west coast
*Low elevation of landforms
*Dominance of high-pressure systems
*Shape of the landmass

The average annual rainfall in the [[Deserts of Australia|Australian desert]] is low, ranging from {{convert|81|to|250|mm|abbr=on|0}}. [[Thunderstorm]]s are relatively common in the region, with an annual average of 15 to 20 thunderstorms.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kuleshow|first1=Y|last2=de Hoedt|first2=G|last3=Wright|first3=W|last4=Brewster|first4=A|title=Thunderstorm distribution and frequency in Australia|journal=Australian Meteorological Magazine|year=2002|volume=51|issue=3|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/amm/docs/2002/kuleshov_hres.pdf|access-date=23 November 2010|page=148|issn=0004-9743|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111142343/http://www.bom.gov.au/amm/docs/2002/kuleshov_hres.pdf|archive-date=11 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Summer daytime temperatures range from {{convert|32|to|40|C}}; winter temperatures run {{convert|18|to|23|C}}.

The southern parts of Australia get the usual [[Westerlies|westerly]] winds and rain-bearing [[cold front]]s that come when high–pressure systems move towards northern Australia during winter. Cold snaps may bring frosts inland, though temperatures near the coast are mild or near mild all year round. The [[Australian northwest cloudbands]] provides up to 80% of the annual rainfall for northwestern Australia and up to 40% of the annual rainfall for southwestern Australia, including most of the winter rainfall over northwest [[Western Australia]] and [[Central Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/watl/about-weather-and-climate/australian-climate-influences.shtml?bookmark=iod|title=Indian Ocean|publisher=[[Bureau of Meteorology]]|access-date=11 August 2020|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814151705/http://www.bom.gov.au/watl/about-weather-and-climate/australian-climate-influences.shtml?bookmark=iod|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/watl/about-weather-and-climate/australian-climate-influences.shtml?bookmark=nwcloudband|title=Northwest cloudbands|publisher=[[Bureau of Meteorology]]|date=5 June 2013|access-date=11 August 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806192833/http://www.bom.gov.au/watl/about-weather-and-climate/australian-climate-influences.shtml?bookmark=nwcloudband|url-status=live}}</ref> Summers in southern Australia are generally dry and hot with coastal [[sea breeze]]s. During a lengthy dry spell, hot and dry winds from the interior can cause bushfires in some southern and eastern states, though most commonly [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] and [[New South Wales]].

The tropical areas of northern Australia have a wet summer because of the monsoon. During "the wet", typically October to April, humid north-westerly winds bring showers and thunderstorms. Occasionally, [[tropical cyclone]]s can bring heavy rainfall to tropical coastal regions, which is also likely to reach further inland. After the monsoonal season, the dry season comes ("winter"), which brings mostly clear skies and milder conditions.

Rainfall records tend to be concentrated along the east coast of Australia, particularly in tropical north Queensland. The highest 24‑hour rainfall on record in Australia was {{convert|907.0|mm|1}} in [[Crohamhurst, Queensland|Crohamhurst]] on 3 February 1893.<ref name="Rainfall">{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records.shtml|title=Rainfall and Temperature Records|date=28 February 2013|work=Climate Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=26 March 2014|archive-date=13 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313040735/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The highest monthly rainfall on record was {{convert|5387.0|mm|4=1}} recorded at [[Mount Bellenden Ker]], Queensland in January 1979.<ref name="Rainfall"/> The highest annual rainfall was {{convert|12461.0|mm|4=1}} recorded also at Mount Bellenden Ker in 2000.<ref name="Rainfall"/> Additionally, the location which receives the highest average annual rainfall in Australia is [[Babinda]] in Queensland with an annual average of {{convert|4279.4|mm|4=1}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_stn_num=031004|title=Climate Statistics for Babinda, QL|access-date=26 March 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045420/http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_stn_num=031004|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cold ocean currents off the coast of Western Australia result in little [[evaporation]] occurring. Hence, rain clouds are sparsely formed and rarely do they form long enough for a continuous period of rain to be recorded. Australia's arid/semi-arid zone extends to this region. The absence of any significant mountain range or area of substantial height above sea level, results in very little rainfall caused by [[Orographic lift|orographic uplift]]. In the east the [[Great Dividing Range]] limits rain moving into inland Australia.

Australia has a compact shape, and no significant [[body of water|bodies of water]] penetrate very far inland. This is important in as much as moist winds are prevented from penetrating inland, so keeping rainfall low.<ref>[https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090317054300/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/96122/20090317-1643/www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/ausclim/zones.html Australia – Climate of Our Continent]{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

[[File:Kanangra winter wonderland.jpg|alt=|thumb|240px|[[Kanangra-Boyd National Park]] in the [[Blue Mountains (New South Wales)|Blue Mountains]]]]

===Snow===
{{main|Snow in Australia}}
In Australia, snow falls frequently on the highlands of the southeast. There is a regular snow season in several areas which have seasonal [[Ski resort|skiing]] industries, such as [[Thredbo]], [[Cabramurra]], [[Perisher Ski Resort|Perisher]], [[Mount Hotham Alpine Resort|Mount Hotham]] and [[Mount Buller, Victoria|Mount Buller]], among others. Snow falls with some regularity above {{convert|600|metres|}} on the Great Dividing Range, seldom as far north as [[Stanthorpe, Queensland|Stanthorpe]] in southernmost Queensland and in isolated parts of South Australia and Western Australia.

Snow at sea level is rarely recorded on mainland Australia (namely in southern Victoria), but is much more frequent in south-western Tasmania. Light snow generally falls once every few winters in the nation's capital Canberra. Furthermore, the major regional cities of [[Orange, New South Wales|Orange]] and [[Ballarat]] receive snowfalls on an annual basis, with populations of over 40,000 and 100,000 respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.australianweathernews.com/snow/Snow%20days%20VIC.htm|title=Snowy days (annual)|website=AustralianWeatherNews|access-date=2023-09-13}}</ref> Snow has been recorded in every state and territory, though among the state capitals only Canberra, Hobart and Melbourne have recorded snow.

==Temperatures==
[[File:Kakadu 2534.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A [[billabong]] in the [[Kakadu National Park]], Northern Territory. The monsoon climate of northern Australia is hot and humid in summer.]]
The tropical [[savanna]]h zone of Northern Australia is warm to hot all year. Summers are hot in most of the country with average January maximum temperatures exceeding 30&nbsp;°C over most of the mainland, except for high elevations. Winters are warm in the north and cool in the south, with nightly frosts common in inland areas south of the [[Tropic of Capricorn]]. Only at the highly elevated areas do wintertime temperatures approach those found in much of Europe or North America, especially the southern parts.

Temperatures in Australia have followed an [[global warming|increasing trend]] between the years of 1910 and 2004 by approximately 0.7&nbsp;°C. Overnight minimum temperatures have warmed more rapidly than daytime maximum temperatures. The observed warming has hastened in recent years. The late-20th-century warming has been largely attributed to the increased [[greenhouse effect]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/bbd307d0202ca25bca2570de00032610!OpenDocument#CLIMATE%20CHANGE|title="Statistics" Australian gov't|access-date=19 May 2013|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430131351/http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/bbd307d0202ca25bca2570de00032610!OpenDocument#CLIMATE%20CHANGE|url-status=live}}</ref> Temperature differences between winter and summer are minor in the tropical region of Australia. However, they are greatest in the southern inland, with seasonal differences along the coast being moderated by the ocean's proximity. In July, a more common latitudinal distribution of average maximums is apparent, ranging from 30&nbsp;°C near the north coast to below 3&nbsp;°C in the mountainous areas of the south-east.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/46d1bc47ac9d0c7bca256c470025ff87/BBD307D0202CA25BCA2570DE00032610?opendocument|title="Statistics" Australian Gov't|access-date=27 September 2016|archive-date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927205920/http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/46d1bc47ac9d0c7bca256c470025ff87/BBD307D0202CA25BCA2570DE00032610?opendocument|url-status=live}}</ref>

Average minimum temperatures in all seasons are highest in northern Australia and near the coastal areas, and are lowest in the elevated areas of the south-east. The highest average January minimum temperatures (near 27&nbsp;°C) are found near the [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|north-west coast]], while in winter they exceed 20&nbsp;°C at some coastal locations in northern Australia and on the [[Torres Strait]] and [[Tiwi Islands]]. In the mountains of New South Wales, it is not unusual to have average low minimum temperatures dipping below 5&nbsp;°C in January and −5&nbsp;°C in July. Comparatively, most inland (non-mountainous) areas south of the tropics have average July minimum between 0 and 6&nbsp;°C.

In the desert, the dry air and clear skies give rather large ranges in temperature between day and night. Ranges of 15&nbsp;°C being typical and 20&nbsp;°C not quite unusual. Light nighttime [[frost]]s in winter occur over much of the southern half of the arid zone, where mean July minimum temperatures are mostly in the 3 to 6&nbsp;°C range. Moving north, frosts become increasingly rare, with mean July minimum being around 10&nbsp;°C on the northern boundary.

The highest maximums in Australia are recorded in two regions, the [[Pilbara]] and [[Gascoyne]] regions of north-western Western Australia and the area extending from south-western [[Queensland]] across South Australia into south-eastern [[Western Australia]]. Many locations in this region have recorded temperatures exceeding 48&nbsp;°C. In January, average maximum temperatures exceed 35&nbsp;°C over a large area of the interior and exceed 40&nbsp;°C over areas in the north-west. The highest summer maximums in the Pilbara and Gascoyne average at around 41&nbsp;°C (in some years daily maximums consecutively exceed 40&nbsp;°C for several weeks at a time).

===Extremes===
{{see also|List of extreme temperatures in Australia|List of weather records}}
The most powerful [[heatwave]] in the history of south-eastern Australia occurred in January 1939. Adelaide (46.1&nbsp;°C on the 12th), Melbourne (45.6&nbsp;°C on the 13th) and Sydney (45.3&nbsp;°C on the 14th) all had record-high temperatures during this period, as did many other central district areas in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Each cities record would later be broken, with Adelaides {{convert|46.6|C}} on 24 January 2019, Melbournes {{convert|46.4|C}} on 7 February 2009 and Sydneys {{convert|45.8|C}} on 18 January 2013.

The record number of consecutive days in [[Melbourne]] over 40&nbsp;°C is five, with [[Brisbane]] having two and [[Sydney]] having three. Heatwaves usually bring by oppressively warm nights, with [[Oodnadatta]], SA recording an Australian record of nine nights above 30&nbsp;°C in February 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/temp1.htm|title=BOM – Australian Climate Extremes|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=15 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001211200600/http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/temp1.htm|archive-date=11 December 2000|url-status=dead}}</ref> Another extreme event was a prolonged period of extensive heatwaves known as the [[Angry Summer]] in early 2013.

[[Marble Bar]] achieved 160 consecutive days above {{Convert|37.8|C}} in 1923–24. [[Nyang Station|Nyang]] had an average maximum of 44.8&nbsp;°C for the months of February 1998 and January 2005, an Australian record. At the other extreme, average January maximums are near 15&nbsp;°C on the highest peaks of the south-east ranges and near 20&nbsp;°C in much of [[Tasmania]]. In most of the desert region during summer, cool days are rare and usually associated with major rain events—a rather exceptional example occurred in February 1949, when many areas failed to reach 20&nbsp;°C on one or more days, and the maximum at [[Boulia]], [[western Queensland]] was at 14.4&nbsp;°C, which was 23&nbsp;°C below normal.

Many other locations in Australia, except those above 500 metres, have extreme maximums between 43 and 48&nbsp;°C. Most Tasmanian sites away from the north coast have had extreme maximums between 35 and 40&nbsp;°C. The lowest extreme maximums are found along the north coast of Tasmania (e.g. 29.5&nbsp;°C at [[Low Head]]) and at high elevations (27.0&nbsp;°C at [[Thredbo]]). While extreme high temperatures are more common inland than they are near the coast, notable extreme maxima have been observed near the coast; 50.7&nbsp;°C at [[Onslow, Western Australia|Onslow]], 50.5&nbsp;°C at [[Mardie Station|Mardie]], 49.9&nbsp;°C at [[Nullarbor, South Australia]], 49.8&nbsp;°C at [[Eucla, South Australia]] and 49.5&nbsp;°C at [[Port Augusta]], South Australia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Australian daily extremes tables|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/annual_extremes.cgi?climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2019|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=25 May 2021|year=2021|archive-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525131947/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/annual_extremes.cgi?climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

At lower elevations, most inland places south of the tropics have extreme minimum between −3 and −7&nbsp;°C, and these low temperatures have also occurred in locations within a few kilometres of southern and eastern coasts, such as [[Sale, Victoria]] (−5.6&nbsp;°C), [[Bega, New South Wales]] (−8.1&nbsp;°C), [[Grove, Tasmania]] (−7.5&nbsp;°C) and [[Taree]], New South Wales (−5.0&nbsp;°C). Many locations in this region have recorded −10&nbsp;°C or lower, including Gudgenby in the Australian Capital Territory (−14.6&nbsp;°C) and [[Woolbrook, New South Wales]] (−14.5&nbsp;°C). In the desert, the lowest extreme minimum occur at high elevations, especially around [[Alice Springs]], where the temperature has fallen as low as −7.5&nbsp;°C.

In the tropics, extreme minimum near or below 0&nbsp;°C have occurred at many places distant from the coast, as far north as [[Herberton, Queensland]] (−5.0&nbsp;°C). Some locations near tropical coasts, such as [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]] (−0.8&nbsp;°C), [[Townsville]] (0.1&nbsp;°C) and [[Kalumburu, Western Australia]] (0.3&nbsp;°C) have also recorded temperatures near 0&nbsp;°C. In contrast, some coastal locations, such as [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], have never fallen below 10&nbsp;°C, and [[Thursday Island]], in the Torres Strait, has an extreme minimum of 16.1&nbsp;°C. The lowest maximum temperature on record in Australia was {{convert|-6.9|C}}, recorded on 9 July 1978 at Thredbo Ski Resort in New South Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=7&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in July|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=25 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220036/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=7&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref> The highest minimum temperature on record was {{convert|36.6|C}} on 26 January 2019 at [[Borrona Downs Station]] near [[Wanaaring]], New South Wales. Before this heatwave, the previous record was {{convert|35.5|C}}, recorded on 24 January 1982 in [[Arkaroola]], South Australia and again on 21 January 2003 in [[Wittenoom, Western Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_high&area=aus&year=2019&mon=1&day=26|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=11 June 2019|work=Australian Daily Extremes Tables|publisher=BOM|access-date=11 June 2019|archive-date=14 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814194154/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_high&area=aus&year=2019&mon=1&day=26|url-status=live}}</ref>

A list of extremes can be found in the tables below:

{|class=wikitable sortable
|-
!colspan=7|Absolute temperature ranges
|-
!rowspan=2|Month
!colspan=3|Maximum temperatures
!colspan=3|Minimum temperatures
|-
!°C
!°F
!location and date
!°C
!°F
!location and date
|-
!January
|{{convert|50.7|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Oodnadatta]], South Australia (2 January 1960)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=1&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215953/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=1&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
[[Onslow, Western Australia|Onslow]], Western Australia (13 January 2022)<ref name="ABC">{{cite web|last1=Birch|first1=Laura|title=Onslow in the Pilbara reaches 50.7C, equalling Australia's hottest day on record|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-13/onslow-in-the-pilbara-equals-australias-hottest-day-on-record/100754082|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|access-date=13 January 2022|date=13 January 2022|archive-date=13 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113073710/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-13/onslow-in-the-pilbara-equals-australias-hottest-day-on-record/100754082|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{convert|-7.7|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Thredbo, New South Wales|Thredbo Ski Resort]], New South Wales (24 January 2000)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=1&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220048/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=1&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!February
|{{convert|50.5|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Mardie Station|Mardie]], Western Australia (19 February 1998)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=2&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220004/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=2&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{convert|-7.0|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Perisher Ski Resort]], New South Wales (17 February 1979)<ref name="bom.gov.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=2&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220059/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=2&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!March
|{{convert|48.5|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Emu Creek Station]], Western Australia (11 March 2019)<ref>{{cite web|title=Australian daily extremes tables|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/monthly_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fmonthly_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2019&mon=3|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=25 May 2021|year=2021|archive-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525131945/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/monthly_extremes.cgi?period=/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/monthly_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2019&mon=3|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{convert|-7.2|C|disp=table}}||
[[Kiandra, New South Wales|Kiandra]], New South Wales (25 March 1964)/[[Bullocks Flat]], New South Wales (31 March 1988)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=3&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220102/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=3&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!April
|{{convert|45.0|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Port Hedland, Western Australia|Port Hedland]], Western Australia (1 April 1948)/[[Marble Bar, Western Australia|Marble Bar]], Western Australia (2 April 1928)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=4&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220013/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=4&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{convert|-13.0|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Charlotte Pass, New South Wales|Charlotte Pass]], New South Wales (29 April 2009)<ref name="bom.gov.au"/>
|-
!May
|{{convert|40.6|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Lagrange Bay|Bidyadanga]], Western Australia (6 May 1990)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=5&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220015/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=5&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{convert|-13.4|C|disp=table}} ||
Charlotte Pass, New South Wales (24 May 2008)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=5&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220105/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=5&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!June
|{{convert|37.9|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Bradshaw Station]], Northern Territory (7 June 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/monthly_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fmonthly_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2024&mon=6|title=Official records for Australia in June|date=31 December 2022|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 January 2025}}</ref>
|{{convert|-23.0|C|disp=table}} ||
Charlotte Pass, New South Wales (29 June 1994)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=6&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220107/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=6&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!July
|{{convert|38.3|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Kalumburu, Western Australia|Kalumburu]], Western Australia (24 July 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/monthly_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fmonthly_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2024&mon=7|title=Official records for Australia in July|date=31 December 2022|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 January 2025}}</ref>
|{{convert|-19.6|C|disp=table}} ||
Charlotte Pass, New South Wales (20 July 2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=7&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=12 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912220655/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=7&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!August
|{{convert|41.6|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Yampi Sound]], Western Australia (26 August 2024)<ref>http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/monthly_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fmonthly_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2024&mon=8</ref>
|{{convert|-20.6|C|disp=table}} ||
Charlotte Pass, New South Wales (14 August 1968)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=8&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220112/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=8&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!September
|{{convert|43.1|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Broome, Western Australia|West Roebuck]], Western Australia (27 September 2003)<ref name="Bureau of Meteorology">{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2020&mon=8&day=23|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=23 August 2020|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=7 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407024614/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2020&mon=8&day=23|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{convert|-16.7|C|disp=table}} ||
Charlotte Pass, New South Wales (20 September 1967)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=9&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220115/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=9&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!October
|{{convert|46.9|C|disp=table}} ||
Port Hedland, Western Australia (22 October 2002)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=10&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215955/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=10&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{convert|-12.0|C|disp=table}} ||
Charlotte Pass, New South Wales (29 October 2006)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=10&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220050/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=10&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!November
|{{convert|48.7|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Birdsville]], Queensland (17 November 1990)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=11&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215957/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2013&mon=11&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{convert|-9.4|C|disp=table}} ||
Charlotte Pass, New South Wales (26 November 1968)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=11&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220054/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=11&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!December
|{{convert|49.9|C|disp=table}} ||
[[Nullarbor, South Australia|Nullarbor]], South Australia (19 December 2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/monthly_extremes.cgi?climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2019&mon=12|title=Official records for Australia in December|date=22 December 2019|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=23 December 2019|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815155027/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/monthly_extremes.cgi?climtab=tmax_high&area=aus&year=2019&mon=12|url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{convert|-9.0|C|disp=table}} ||
Thredbo Ski Resort, New South Wales (13 December 1976)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=12&day=11|title=Official records for Australia in January|date=31 July 2013|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=BOM|access-date=12 March 2013|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220056/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=aus&year=2013&mon=12&day=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

{{Weather box
| location = Australia
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 50.7
| Feb record high C = 50.5
| Mar record high C = 48.1
| Apr record high C = 45.0
| May record high C = 40.6
| Jun record high C = 37.9
| Jul record high C = 38.3
| Aug record high C = 41.6
| Sep record high C = 43.1
| Oct record high C = 46.9
| Nov record high C = 48.7
| Dec record high C = 49.9
| Jan record low C = -7.7
| Feb record low C = -7.0
| Mar record low C = -7.2
| Apr record low C = -13.0
| May record low C = -13.4
| Jun record low C = -23.0
| Jul record low C = -19.6
| Aug record low C = -20.6
| Sep record low C = -16.7
| Oct record low C = -12.0
| Nov record low C = -9.4
| Dec record low C = -9.0
| date = March 2019
| source = Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Government<ref>Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Government</ref>
}}

==Natural hazards and disasters==

===Bushfires===
{{main|Bushfires in Australia}}
Climatic factors contribute to Australia's high incidence of bushfires, particularly during the summer months. Low [[relative humidity]], wind and lack of rain can cause a small fire, either man-made or caused by [[lightning strike]]s, to spread rapidly. Low humidity, the heat of the sun and lack of water cause vegetation to dry out becoming a perfect fuel for the fire. High winds fan the flames, increasing their intensity and the speed and distance at which they can travel.<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/inside/services_policy/fire_ag/bushfire/wandfire.htm Weather and Fire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520034525/http://www.bom.gov.au/inside/services_policy/fire_ag/bushfire/wandfire.htm |date=20 May 2007 }}, BOM. Retrieved 2 May 2007.</ref>

Many of the worst bushfires in eastern Australia, such as the 1983 [[Ash Wednesday bushfires|Ash Wednesday fires]], accompany [[El Niño–Southern Oscillation]] events which tend to cause a warm, dry and windy climate.<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/c20thc/fire.shtml Australian Climate Extremes – Fire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407145831/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/c20thc/fire.shtml |date=7 April 2007 }}, BOM. Retrieved 2 May 2007.</ref>

The worst bushfires in Australian history occurred during the [[2019–2020 Australian bushfire season]], also known as the "Black Summer", which lasted for 6 months and burnt 140,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (55,000&nbsp;mi<sup>2</sup>) of land primarily in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. By the end of the season there had been 14-34 direct human deaths, hundreds of indirect human deaths, 1-3 billion animal deaths and 3,500 homes destroyed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/extraordinary-2019-ends-with-deadliest-day-of-the-worst-fire-season-20191231-p53nw0.html|title='Extraordinary' 2019 ends with deadliest day of the worst fire season|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=1 January 2020|access-date=20 August 2022|archive-date=15 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115162831/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/extraordinary-2019-ends-with-deadliest-day-of-the-worst-fire-season-20191231-p53nw0.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52410744|title=Australia fires: Life during and after the worst bushfires in history|publisher=BBC|date=28 April 2020|access-date=20 August 2022|archive-date=15 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715111438/https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52410744|url-status=live}}</ref>

Prior to this, the worst had been the [[Black Saturday bushfires|Black Saturday fires]] in February to March 2009, causing 173 deaths and destroying over 2000 homes in Victoria.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/08/australia.wildfires/index.html|publisher=CNN|title=Police: Australian fires create 'a holocaust'|date=9 February 2009|access-date=9 February 2009|archive-date=11 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211103636/http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/08/australia.wildfires/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Dust storms===
{{See also|2009 Australian dust storm}}
A dust storm or sandstorm, a meteorological phenomenon common in arid and semi-arid regions, arises when a gust front passes or when the wind force exceeds the threshold value where loose sand and [[dust]] are removed from the dry surface. Particles are transported by [[Saltation (geology)|saltation]] and suspension, causing soil [[erosion]] from one place and [[Deposition (geology)|deposition]] in another.

''Sandstorm'' usually refers to dust storms in desert areas when, in addition to fine particles obscuring visibility, a considerable amount of larger sand particles moves closer to the surface. The term ''dust storm'' is more likely to be used when finer particles are blown long distances, especially when the dust storm affects urban areas.

===Drought===
[[File:Sheep on a drought-affected paddock.jpg|thumb|Drought-affected paddock in the New South Wales farming region of the [[Riverina]]]]
{{main|Drought in Australia}}
Drought in Australia is defined by rainfall over a three-month period being in the lowest ten per cent of amounts having been recorded for that region in the past.<ref name="BOMGlossaryDrought">{{cite web|year=2006|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/glossary/drought.shtml|title=Drought|work=Climate Glossary|publisher=BOM|access-date=13 November 2006|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230161145/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/glossary/drought.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> This definition takes into account that low rainfall is a relative term and rainfall deficiencies need to be compared to typical rainfall patterns including seasonal variations. Specifically drought in Australia is defined in relation to a rainfall deficiency of [[pastoral lease]]s and is determined by decile analysis applied to a certain area.<ref>Tapper, Nigel. & Hurry, Lynn. (1993) Australia's Weather Patterns: An Introductory Guide. pp. 51–57. Dellasta. {{ISBN|1-875627-14-6}}</ref>

Historical climatic records are now sufficiently reliable to profile climate variability taking into account expectations for regions.<ref>{{cite web|year=2006|url=http://www.daff.gov.au/content/output.cfm?ObjectID=3B1ACEA4-1087-4463-9C4B294770512BAD|title=Our Natural Resources at a Glance – Climate|publisher=[[Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)]]|access-date=13 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919122718/http://www.daff.gov.au/content/output.cfm?ObjectID=3B1ACEA4-1087-4463-9C4B294770512BAD|archive-date=19 September 2006}}</ref> [[Parliaments of the Australian states and territories|State Governments]] are responsible for declaring a region drought affected and the declaration will take into account factors other than rainfall.<ref name="BOMGlossaryDrought"/>

===Flooding===
{{main|Floods in Australia}}
Though most of Australia is arid or semi-arid, some regions have very significant rainfall. The [[Wet Tropics of Queensland|Wet Tropics]] in northeast Queensland as well as the western half of [[Tasmania]] both average over 1400mm (55&nbsp;in) of rainfall annually, sometimes much higher. As a result, the former has some of Australia's only [[tropical rainforest]], while the latter features extensive [[temperate rainforest]]s where floods can occur at any time.

Through [[La Niña]] years the eastern seaboard of Australia (east of the [[Great Dividing Range]]) records above-average rainfall, usually creating damaging floods. The 2010–2011 La Niña system broke many rainfall records in Australia, particularly in the states of Queensland and New South Wales, with extensive flooding and major damage to infrastructure and crops. The central east area of Queensland, an area the size of Germany and France combined, was [[2010–11 Queensland floods|under water in 2010–11]]. La Nina related flooding has affected major eastern cities such as Sydney, and especially Brisbane. The [[2022 eastern Australia floods]] were also one of the worst recorded flood events.

West of the Great Dividing Range, higher than average rainfall may be related to a negative [[Indian Ocean Dipole]], which sometimes leads to inland flooding, particularly in the [[Murray–Darling basin]] river system and its flood plains and especially during winter.

The [[Top End]], [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley]] and much of [[North Queensland|North]] and [[Far North Queensland]] are affected by the Australian monsoon (wet season) which brings heavy rain, thunderstorms, tropical cyclones (see below) and frequent flooding from November to April, making many unsealed roads impassable for part of the year. As a result, these regions are feature extensive tropical savannah.

===Tornadoes===
{{main|List of Australia tornadoes}}
In Australia, a tornado is also known as a twister or willy-willy. The earliest recorded tornado in Australia was in 1795. The country experiences about 60&nbsp;tornadoes per year.<ref name="aidr">{{cite journal|url=https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/ajem-july-2022-tornadoes-in-australia-are-we-prepared/|title=Tornadoes in Australia: are we prepared?|journal=Australia Journal of Emergency Management|date=July 2022|access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>

=== Tropical cyclones ===
{{main|List of Australia tropical cyclones}}
[[File:Monica 2006-04-23 0055Z.jpg|thumb|upright|Cyclone Monica at peak intensity]]
Australia is affected by tropical cyclones which primarily occur between December and April but have occasionally developed in November and May.<ref>{{cite web|year=2007|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/faq/|title=When is the cyclone season?|publisher=BOM|access-date=10 May 2007|archive-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118223558/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/faq/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cyclones over mainland Australia occur on average five to six times each year.<ref name="portrait"/> The regions between [[Broome, Western Australia|Broome]] and [[Exmouth, Western Australia|Exmouth]] are most prone to cyclones.<ref name="Cyclone2">{{cite web|year=2007|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/faq/|title=What is the most cyclone-prone region in Australia?|publisher=BOM|access-date=10 May 2007|archive-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118223558/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/faq/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tropical cyclones are known to bring destructive winds, heavy rain with flooding creating storm surges along the coast, causing inundation to low-lying areas. The strongest Australian region cyclone was 2006's [[Cyclone Monica]], with gusts topping {{convert|350|km/h|abbr=on}}. Cyclones can also move inland, decaying to rain depressions, dumping heavy rain and causing flooding.<ref>{{cite web|year=2007|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/info/cyclone/|title=Surviving Cyclones|publisher=BOM|access-date=10 May 2007|archive-date=9 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509195930/http://www.bom.gov.au/info/cyclone/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The worst cyclones of Australia have caused billions of dollars of damage and many deaths. [[Cyclone Tracy]] crossed directly over Darwin in 1974, killing 71 persons. It was Australia's most damaging cyclone.<ref name="cytci">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/insured-losses-yasi-idUSLDE7121NR20110203|title=Cyclone Yasi to cost insurers $3.5 bln – forecaster|access-date=30 July 2011|date=3 February 2011|archive-date=8 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308100649/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/03/insured-losses-yasi-idUSLDE7121NR20110203|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Cyclone Mahina]] in 1899 brought a [[storm surge]] to [[Far North Queensland]] reaching {{convert|13|m}} high, causing 400 deaths and making it the worst natural disaster to befall Australia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1008174/Australia%27s-worst-natural-disasters|title=Australia's worst natural disasters|publisher=SBS World News|access-date=30 July 2011|archive-date=5 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305100723/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1008174/Australia%27s-worst-natural-disasters|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Cyclone Larry]] struck North Queensland and passed over [[Innisfail, Queensland|Innisfail]] in 2006 causing damages estimated at A$1.5&nbsp;billion. However, there were no deaths in that storm. [[Cyclone Yasi]] caused severe flooding and had a total estimated cost of A$3.5&nbsp;billion making it the second-most costliest cyclone to strike Australia.<ref name="cytci"/>

==Climate change==
[[File:Australia-temp-anomaly-1910-2009.svg|thumb|450px|Australian annual average temperature anomaly from 1910 to 2019 with five-year [[Local regression|locally weighted ('lowess')]] trend line. Source: Australian BOM.]]
{{excerpt|Climate change in Australia}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Australia}}
* [[Indigenous Australian seasons]]
* {{section link|List of wettest tropical cyclones by country|Australia}}
* [[Weather extremes in Australia]], an index of extreme Australian weather articles
* [[Effects of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation in Australia]]
* [[Australian monsoon]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*[http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ Australian Bureau of Meteorology – Climate Information]
*[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-09/100-years-of-temperatures/5582146 Interactive: 100 years of temperatures in Australia – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)]
*[http://www.bushmantanks.com.au/100-years-of-australian-rainfall Interactive: 100 years of rainfall in Australia]

{{Australian climate}}
{{Oceania topic|Climate of}}
{{Australia topics}}

[[Category:Climate of Australia| ]]
[[Category:Climate by country|Australia]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]