Ruqayyah Snyder
Western Australia is known for its sunny days and beautiful beaches, and its capital city Perth has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. February is the hottest month of the year, with an average high of 31.7°C (89.1°F). Summer in Perth is characterised by sporadic thunderstorms and cold fronts, with temperatures ranging from 17.5°C to 30°C. The Noongar calendar, used by the indigenous Noongar people of southwestern Western Australia, recognises the Bunuru season from February to March as the hottest part of the year with little to no rain. Tourists visiting Perth are advised to take precautions against sunburn due to the high UV index in local weather reports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hottest month | February |
| Average high in February | 31.7°C (89.1°F) |
| Average low in February | 18.4°C (65.1°F) |
| Average temperatures in summer (December-February) | 17.5°C-30°C (63.5°F-86°F) |
| Average temperatures in summer | 25°C-36°C (77°F-97°F) |
| Average temperatures in winter | 8°C-19°C (46.4°F-66.2°F) |
| Average sea temperature in summer | 20.9°C-22.8°C (70°F-73°F) |
| Average sea temperature in autumn | 23.4°C (74°F) |
| Average sea temperature in winter | 19.4°C-21.3°C (67°F-70°F) |
| Average low in winter | 8.1°C (46.6°F) |
| Average rainfall for December-February | 43.1mm (1.70 inches) |
| Rain days in December-February | 4.9 |
| Humidity in summer | Low |
| UV index | High |
| Sunshine | 8.8 hours per day |
| Clear days | 138.7 per year |
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What You'll Learn
February is the hottest month
The Noongar people, who live in the southwest corner of Western Australia, including Perth, have a calendar with six seasons. The hottest part of the year, called "Bunuru", falls between February and March and is characterised by hot easterly winds and a cooling sea breeze in the afternoons near the coast.
Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summer in Perth is characterised by sporadic rainfall in the form of short-lived thunderstorms and cold fronts. The average rainfall for December to February is 43.1 mm (1.70 in), with rain falling on 4.9 days.
The UV index in Perth is high, so visitors should take precautions against sun exposure, such as wearing sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses, and using SPF30+ sunscreen. Despite the hot weather, Perth has colder summer nights compared to other Australian cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Darwin.
The hottest temperatures in Western Australia can be found in the Golden Outback region, where temperatures can reach as high as 37 °C during the summer months.
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Summer weather in Perth
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summer in Perth officially starts on 1 December and lasts until the end of February. However, summer-like weather can occur as early as November and last until early April.
February is the hottest month of the year, with an average high of 31.7°C (89.1°F). The average temperatures in summer range from 17.5°C (63.5°F) to 30°C (86°F), with the maximum temperature reaching 36°C (97°F). The minimum temperature rarely drops below 14°C (57°F). Summer in Perth is characterised by very little rainfall, with an average of 43.1mm (1.70 in) of rain from December to February. However, sporadic rainfall can occur in the form of short-lived thunderstorms and cold fronts. Summer is also the season with the greatest temperature variation and the highest number of extreme rainfall events.
During summer, a sea breeze known locally as the "Fremantle Doctor" blows from the southwest in the afternoons, providing relief from the heat. This breeze causes temperatures to fall below 30°C (86°F) a few hours after its arrival. Visitors to Perth during the summer months should be cautious of the high UV index and take appropriate measures to protect themselves from sunburn, such as using SPF30+ sunscreen and wearing sun-smart clothing, hats, and sunglasses.
December experiences the longest hours of daylight in Perth, with sunrise at approximately 5 am and sunset at 7:30 pm. The average sea temperature during the summer ranges from 20.9°C (70°F) to 22.8°C (73°F), with the peak temperature reaching 23.4°C (74°F) in March.
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The Noongar calendar
The Noongar people live in the south-west corner of Western Australia, including Perth, and follow a calendar with six seasons. The months listed here are approximate, as the Noongar seasons are based on the weather rather than set calendar dates. The seasons are:
- Birak: December to January. This season is hot and dry with easterly winds in the morning and sea breezes in the afternoon.
- Bunuru: February to March. This is the hottest part of the year with little to no rain. There are hot easterly winds and a cooling sea breeze on most afternoons close to the coast.
- Djeran: April to May. The weather starts to cool, with dew forming in the mornings due to cool nights. There are lighter breezes from the south, and rainy days occur.
- Makuru: June to July. This is the coldest and wettest part of the year, with more frequent storms.
- Djilba: August to September. This is a transitional time of year with a mix of cold, warm, rain and clear skies.
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Perth's UV index
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. February is the hottest month, with an average high of 31.7°C (89.1°F).
Summer in Perth lasts from December to February, with hot and dry weather and very little rainfall. The average temperatures range from 17.5°C to 30°C (63.5°F to 86°F). However, temperatures can vary greatly during the summer months, with maximum temperatures ranging between 25°C and 36°C (77°F and 97°F). The sea temperatures are also at their hottest during the summer, with an average range of 20.9°C to 22.8°C (70°F to 73°F).
Despite the dry conditions, summer in Perth does experience sporadic rainfall in the form of short-lived thunderstorms and cold fronts. The average rainfall for December to February is 43.1 mm (1.70 inches), with an average of 4.9 rain days. Although tropical cyclones do not hit Perth directly due to the low sea surface temperatures, the remnants of ex-tropical cyclones can bring heavy rain, especially from late summer to mid-autumn.
The Noongar people, who live in the south-west corner of Western Australia, including Perth, have a calendar with six seasons. According to the Noongar calendar, the hottest part of the year is called "Bunuru," which falls between February and March. During this time, there is little to no rain, and hot easterly winds are cooled by sea breezes in the afternoon near the coast.
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Climate variation across Western Australia
Western Australia's climate has changed over the last century, particularly in the last 50 years. The average temperature has risen by about 1°C, with most warming occurring since 1950. Every decade since 1950 has been warmer than the previous decade, and the warming trend is consistent with global warming.
The capital city of Western Australia, Perth, has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. February is the hottest month, with an average high of 31.7°C (89.1°F), and July is the coldest, with an average low of 8.1°C (46.6°F). The summer months experience greater temperature variation, with maximum temperatures ranging from 25°C to 36°C, and minimum temperatures ranging from 14°C to 22°C. Humidity during summer is usually low, and on most summer afternoons, a sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" blows from the southwest, providing relief from the hot north-easterly winds.
The Noongar people, indigenous to the southwest corner of Western Australia, including Perth, have a calendar with six seasons. Birak (December to January) is hot and dry, with easterly winds in the morning and sea breezes in the afternoon. Bunuru (February to March) is the hottest part of the year with little to no rain, followed by Djeran (April to May), when cooler weather starts to set in. Makuru (June to July) is the coldest and wettest part of the year, with frequent storms. Djilba (August to September) is a transitional time with a mix of cold and warm weather, and Makuru (June to July) is the wet season.
In recent decades, Perth and southwest Western Australia have experienced more extreme rainfall events in the summer months. There has been an overall increase in rainfall in the north and interior, and a decline in rainfall along the west coast and the lower southwest. Tropical cyclones are responsible for most extreme rainfall events in northwest WA, but Perth has never been hit by a tropical cyclone due to low sea surface temperatures. However, remnants of ex-tropical cyclones can bring heavy rain, and this is more common from late summer to mid-autumn.
Spring in Perth (September to November) is characterised by warm and sunny days, with little rainfall and temperatures ranging from 11.7°C to 23°C. In contrast, autumn (March to May) brings warm days and cooler nights, with occasional showers and some humidity. Winter (June to August) is relatively cool and wet, with occasional storms and temperatures ranging from 8°C to 19°C.
The changing climate in Western Australia has had impacts on the environment and human health. There has been an increase in extreme fire weather and the length of the fire season, with a higher fire risk across the state. Temperature increases and air pollution have particularly affected the health of Western Australians, with potential impacts on cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological health.
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Frequently asked questions
The hottest month in Western Australia varies depending on the region. In Perth, the hottest month is February, with an average maximum temperature of 31.7°C. The Noongar calendar, used by the Noongar people of southwestern Western Australia, identifies the period of Bunuru, or February to March, as the hottest part of the year.
The weather in the hottest month in Western Australia is typically hot and dry, with very little rainfall. In Perth, the average temperatures in February range from 17.5°C to 30°C. However, temperatures can exceed 38°C during heatwaves in March.
Yes, there can be variations in temperature within the hottest month in Western Australia. For example, in Perth, the average minimum temperature in February is 18.4°C, while the average maximum temperature is 31.7°C.
The hot weather in Western Australia can increase the risk of sunburn, so visitors are advised to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses. The hot, dry conditions can also lead to sporadic thunderstorms and an increased risk of ex-tropical cyclones, particularly in March and April.
