Leslie Massey
Australia is the second driest continent in the world, after Antarctica. The country is known for its frequent droughts, which are caused in part by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. South Australia is widely considered the driest state in the country, with an arid landscape dominated by shrublands and dusty red soils. However, in 2022, South Australia experienced record-breaking rainfall, causing towns across the state to deal with the damage caused by surging outback floodwaters. That same year, Victoria and Tasmania had their third and ninth-driest autumns on record, respectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Driest State in Australia | South Australia |
| Second Driest State in Australia | Western Australia |
| Average Rainfall in South Australia | 310.8 mm |
| Average Number of Rainfall Days in Adelaide | 50 days per year |
| Average Number of Rainfall Days in Oodnadatta and Coober Pedy | 15 days per year |
| Driest Areas in South Australia in 2022 | Winter Springs and Kimba |
| Average Rainfall in Winter Springs and Kimba | 160 mm |
| Driest State in 2022 | Tasmania |
| Driest Australian City | Queenstown, Tasmania |
| Average Number of Rainfall Days in Queenstown | 150 days per year |
| Driest Area in Australia | Birdsville, Queensland |
| Average Number of Rainfall Days in Birdsville | 10 days per year |
| Driest Continent | Antarctica |
| Average Annual Rainfall in Australia | 419 mm |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
South Australia is the driest state
The state's driest year since 2019 was in 2023, when it reached a 12.5% below-average record. In 2022, South Australia had an average rainfall of 310.8mm, and in January 2022, the towns of Winter Springs and Kimba each recorded daily rainfall in excess of 160mm, more than some parts of the state receive in an entire year. This caused flooding and more than 300 calls for assistance to the State Emergency Service, many from people trapped by rising floodwaters.
The low rainfall in South Australia is due to its subtropical high-pressure belt, which brings dry air from the upper atmosphere down onto the continent. The southern coastal parts of the state have a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The lowest rainfall occurs in the Lake Eyre basin, with annual totals of less than 150mm (6 in) and possibly even 100mm (4 in).
In recent years, persistent low rainfall conditions have affected much of southern Australia, including South Australia, with rainfall deficiencies (rainfall totals in the lowest 5% since 1900) developing since early 2023. The State of the Climate 2024 report indicated a shift towards drier conditions across southern Australia, especially during the cool season months from April to October.
Missguided: Shipping to Australia?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$31.99 $35
$28.99 $28.99
Climate change's impact
Australia, the world's driest inhabited continent, is vulnerable to the effects of global warming projected for the next 50 to 100 years due to its extensive arid and semi-arid areas, already warm climate, and high annual rainfall variability.
Climate Change Impacts
The impacts of climate change on Australia will be diverse, affecting the environment, ecosystems, the economy, agriculture, and public health.
- Increased Extreme Weather Events: Australia has been experiencing more intense and frequent bushfires, with the influence of climate change on bushfires depending on vegetation and fuel availability. The country is also susceptible to severe floods, droughts, and cyclones, with tropical cyclone activity varying due to large-scale climate drivers like El Niño and La Niña.
- Water Stress: Southern Australia, including states like Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia, has faced persistent low rainfall conditions, leading to decreased soil moisture content, runoff, streamflow, and water storage levels. This has impacted water supply in cities like Perth and Adelaide, which rely on alternative sources like desalination, groundwater, and water transfers from rivers.
- Rising Sea Levels: Australia's coastlines will experience erosion and inundation due to rising sea levels, requiring significant investment in infrastructure projects to protect coastal regions.
- Ecosystem and Biodiversity Loss: Unique ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef and many animal species are at risk due to rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns. This includes impacts on marine life, with reduced numbers of animals in the sea, rivers, and creeks.
- Aboriginal Communities: Many Aboriginal communities are vulnerable to climate change impacts, including cyclones, flooding, sea level rise, and changes in fire regimes. These impacts affect their relationship with traditional cultural sites and their access to water resources and ecological landscapes.
- Public Health: Extreme heat has caused more deaths in Australia than any other natural hazard, and the frequency of very high temperatures has increased significantly. This poses risks to public health, particularly for elderly members of Aboriginal communities in the North, who are susceptible to heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
- Agriculture: Low soil moisture content for extended periods can indicate agricultural drought, impacting crop and pasture growth, and livestock health.
While the specific ranking of dry states in Australia was not found in the sources, the provided information outlines the significant impacts of climate change on Australia's dry regions and vulnerable communities.
Renaming Your Business in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Rainfall deficiencies
Australia is the second driest continent in the world, after Antarctica. 80% of the land receives less than 600 mm of rainfall annually, and 50% of the land receives less than 300 mm. The country has a very low annual average rainfall of 419 mm. The dryness is caused by the subtropical high-pressure belt, which brings dry air from the upper atmosphere down onto the continent. This results in dry summers in the south and dry winters in the north.
South Australia is widely considered to be the driest state in Australia. The state's annual rainfall average is 310.8 mm, and its capital city, Adelaide, only experiences around 50 days of rainfall per year. However, in January 2022, towns across the state experienced record-breaking rainfall, with some areas receiving more than 160mm of rain, equivalent to more than a year's worth of rainfall.
Other parts of Australia also experience significant rainfall deficiencies. Since early 2023, rainfall deficiencies have been observed in Western Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, in addition to South Australia. Regions with western-facing coastlines, such as the southeast of South Australia, have been particularly affected. This has resulted in decreased soil moisture content, runoff, streamflow, and water storage levels across southern Australia.
The drought conditions in southern Australia have been attributed to persistent slow-moving high-pressure systems, leading to warm and dry conditions. For example, in 2025, Tasmania and Victoria experienced their third and ninth-driest autumns on record, respectively. Additionally, May rainfall was below average across much of southern Australia, with rainfall deficiency areas increasing in extent and severity.
The impact of rainfall deficiencies is evident in water storage levels. In 2025, many water storages in southern states were 10-50% lower than the previous year. Adelaide's water supply, for instance, is supplemented by water transfers from the River Murray, desalination, and groundwater.
While the specific ranking of the driest states in Australia was not found, given the consistent reference to South Australia as the driest state, and the prevalence of rainfall deficiencies in southern Australia, it is likely that the second driest state is also located in this region.
Australian Families: How Big on Average?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Water storage issues
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth, with low rainfall and high evaporation rates. It receives 20 inches less rainfall than the worldwide average, and its average annual rainfall is around 470mm per year, well below the global average.
Southern Australia, in particular, has been facing persistent low rainfall conditions in recent seasons. Since early 2023, rainfall deficiencies have developed in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. These rainfall deficiencies have been especially significant in regions with western-facing coastlines, including the southeast of South Australia. As a result, soil moisture content, runoff, streamflow, and water storage levels have all decreased across much of southern Australia. Many water storages in southern states were 10-50% lower than the same time last year, with Adelaide and Perth's water storages below 40% full.
The long-term decline in surface water inflows to Perth's storages due to reduced rainfall has made the city's water supply reliant on desalination and groundwater. Adelaide's water supply is also augmented by alternative sources, including water transfer from the River Murray, desalination, and groundwater. In South Australia, pipelines from the River Murray augment water supply for the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas and some of the southeast of the state.
To address water storage issues, Australia is also pushing towards reusing wastewater for irrigation, industrial processes, and even potable water. For example, the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme in Queensland produces 232 million liters daily for industrial needs. Additionally, smart sprinkler technology helps farmers use water efficiently, reducing water waste and keeping crops healthy during dry spells.
While Australia's water storage issues are predominantly due to low rainfall, the country is also susceptible to extreme flooding events. For example, in January 2022, ex-tropical cyclone Tiffany caused widespread flooding in South Australia, leading to infrastructure damage and requiring assistance from the State Emergency Service.
Applying for an ISBN in Australia: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Droughts and bushfires
Australia is no stranger to droughts and bushfires, with the former being one of the country's most feared and costly climate challenges. The Millennium Drought, lasting from 1997 to 2010, and the drought of 1982-1983 are notable examples of the severity of this climate phenomenon in Australia.
Droughts in Australia have historically set the stage for bushfires. The Federation Drought, which began in the mid-1890s and peaked in 1901-1902, was followed by severe bushfires in February and March 1902 in southern Victoria. Similarly, the drought of 1938, intensified by La Niña conditions, resulted in the disastrous Black Friday bushfires of January 1939. More recently, the 2019-2020 Australian drought contributed to one of the worst bushfire seasons on record, with over 25 million acres, including more than 21% of Australian forests, being burned.
The impact of droughts and bushfires in Australia extends beyond the immediate destruction of natural resources and ecosystems. These events have significant economic repercussions, particularly in the agricultural sector. During the 2019-2020 drought and bushfire season, farm GDP declined by around 22% since 2017, and beef and lamb prices increased due to strong international demand and reduced supply. Additionally, bushfires have disrupted tourism and destroyed significant local infrastructure, including roads, energy, telecommunications, and community assets.
The Murray-Darling Basin, a significant agricultural region in Australia, has experienced persistent droughts and contributed to reduced domestic food supply and increased food prices. The vulnerability of this region to droughts highlights the interconnectedness of water resource management and agricultural productivity in Australia.
While the specific ranking of dryness among Australian states was not found, it is evident that droughts and bushfires have had, and continue to have, significant impacts on the country's environment, economy, and communities.
Marriage Recognition: Australia-India Union Legality
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
South Australia is the driest state in Australia, with an arid landscape dominated by shrublands and dusty red soils.
It is difficult to definitively state which state is the second driest as rainfall varies year-to-year and within states. However, the following states have been described as being among the driest in Australia: Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and Queensland.
The average rainfall in South Australia is 310.8mm. However, this varies within the state. For example, the city of Adelaide experiences around 50 days of rainfall per year, while more central areas like Oodnadatta and Coober Pedy only experience around 15 days of rainfall per year.
Australia has a very low annual average rainfall of 419mm. However, this varies across the country, with the southern coasts and the Mount Lofty Ranges experiencing the highest rainfall (up to 1200mm) and the Lake Eyre basin experiencing the lowest (less than 150mm).
The majority of Australian states have arid or semi-arid climates, with 80% of the land receiving less than 600mm of rainfall annually and 50% receiving less than 300mm. This dryness, combined with frequent heatwaves, makes Australia highly vulnerable to droughts.
