Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia's rainfall varies from state to state, with coastal areas experiencing heavier rainfall and central desert regions remaining dry. The country's climate has been witnessing an increase in both rainfall and dry weather conditions, varying across regions. While some states like Queensland and New South Wales have seen an increase in rainfall, others like South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, and Tasmania have recorded the lowest rainfall in years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Driest State in Australia | South Australia |
| Average Rainfall in South Australia | 232 mm (2021) |
| Average Rainfall in South Australia (another source) | 310.8 mm (2022) |
| Average Number of Rainfall Days in Adelaide, South Australia | 50 days per year |
| Average Number of Rainfall Days in Central South Australia | 15 days per year |
| Driest Areas in Australia | Birdsville, Queensland and Lake Eyre Basin |
| Average Number of Rainfall Days in Birdsville, Queensland | 10 days per year |
| Average Rainfall in the Lake Eyre Basin | Less than 150 mm per year |
| Average Rainfall in the Driest Parts of the Lake Eyre Basin | 100 mm per year |
| Average Rainfall in the Far Northwest of Australia | Less than 180 mm per year |
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What You'll Learn
South Australia is the driest state
The southern coastal areas of the state have a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The southern coasts and the Mount Lofty Ranges receive the highest rainfall in the state, with an average annual rainfall of 1,200 millimetres in the vicinity of Mount Lofty. The Lake Eyre basin, on the other hand, receives the lowest rainfall, with average annual totals of less than 150 millimetres and possibly even as low as 100 millimetres.
The arid interior of South Australia experiences erratic rainfall patterns. The state is relatively free of damaging weather events, with rare violent storms and minimal flood hazards. However, summer bushfires pose a significant threat, with notable widespread and destructive fires occurring in the past, such as in January 1939 and February 1983.
The vegetation and ecosystems of South Australia have been impacted by agricultural practices and livestock grazing in the arid pastoral zone, leading to a depletion of wild fauna, particularly mammals. Despite these challenges, the state is still home to a diverse range of animal and plant life, including kangaroos, possums, wombats, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
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Tasmania is the wettest state
Tasmania's unique geography plays a crucial role in its high rainfall. The state's mountainous terrain forces moisture-laden air to rise, cool, and condense, leading to frequent and significant precipitation. The west coast of Tasmania, particularly around Strahan, is renowned for its exceptionally wet conditions. This area, along with regions near Cairns in far north Queensland, is considered among the wettest places in Australia. Tasmania's abundant rainfall is also due to its geographical location and exposure to prevailing westerly winds that bring moist air from the Southern Ocean.
While Tasmania is the wettest state overall, the wettest capital city in Australia is Darwin in the Northern Territory, which receives an annual average of 1723.8 millimetres of rain. Darwin's high rainfall is due to its location in the tropical north, influenced by monsoon weather patterns.
The climate in Tasmania varies significantly, with the hottest areas of the state in the valleys west of Hobart, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 25°C. During heatwaves, temperatures in this region can rise above 40°C. The Tasmanian highlands are much cooler, with Liawenee, located on the Central Plateau, being one of the coldest places in Australia. The winter months of June, July, and August are generally the wettest and coolest months in Tasmania, with most elevated areas receiving considerable snowfall.
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The far northwest receives the least rainfall
Australia's climate varies significantly from region to region, with coastal areas generally experiencing heavier rainfall than central desert regions. The far northwest of the country receives the least rainfall, with less than 180 mm (7 in) annually. In contrast, the eastern regions of Australia receive between 600 and 1,200 mm (24 and 47 in) of rain per year.
The low rainfall in the northwest is due in part to the region's arid or semi-arid climate, which is characteristic of much of Western Australia. This aridity is influenced by the cold waters off the western coast, which produce little moisture for the mainland. The northwest also experiences a long dry season, lasting from April to November, during which very little rainfall occurs.
The Northern Territory, which borders the northwest, has two distinct climate zones. The northern end, including Darwin, has a tropical savannah climate with high humidity and two seasons: the wet season from October to April, and the dry season from May to September. During the dry season, there is very little rainfall, and most days are warm and sunny with low humidity.
While the northwest has the lowest rainfall in Australia, other regions also experience low precipitation. The Lake Eyre basin, for example, has an average annual rainfall of less than 150 mm (6 in) and possibly even as low as 100 mm (4 in). The desert town of Birdsville in Queensland also experiences minimal rainfall, with only about 10 days of rain per year.
The variation in rainfall patterns across Australia can lead to contrasting weather conditions in different parts of the country. While some regions may be experiencing drought, others may be dealing with flooding, often caused by heavy cyclonic rains in the north. This phenomenon is known as "flooding the drought" and can result in parts of the continent being inundated by waters from rainfall thousands of kilometres away.
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The east receives the most rainfall
Australia has a very low annual average rainfall of 419 mm (16 in). The Climate of Australia is the second driest of any continent, after Antarctica. Rainfall varies throughout the state. The far northwest receives the least, less than 180 mm (7 in) annually, while the east receives between 600 and 1,200 mm (24 and 47 in) of rain. The Northern Territory has two distinctive climate zones. The northern end, including Darwin, has a tropical savannah climate 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.
The majority of the state has arid and semi-arid climates. 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 1,200 millimetres (47 in) in the vicinity of Mount Lofty); the lowest rainfall occurs in the Lake Eyre basin, with annual totals of less than 150 millimetres (6 in) and possibly even 100 millimetres (4 in). Most of the rain in the southern districts of the State falls during the winter months when the subtropical high-pressure belt is displaced to the north over the Australian continent.
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, making them both leading farming areas. Victoria's highest recorded daily rainfall was 375 millimetres (14.8 in) at Tanybryn in the Otway Ranges on 22 March 1983.
The east coast of Australia, particularly tropical north Queensland, experiences rainfall records. The highest 24-hour rainfall on record in Australia was 907.0 millimetres (35.7 in) in Crohamhurst on 3 February 1893. The highest monthly rainfall on record was 5,387.0 millimetres (212.1 in) recorded at Mount Bellenden Ker, Queensland in January 1979. The highest annual rainfall was 12,461.0 millimetres (490.6 in) recorded at Mount Bellenden Ker in 2000. Babinda in Queensland has the highest average annual rainfall in Australia, with an annual average of 4,279.4 millimetres (168.5 in).
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The Lake Eyre basin has the lowest rainfall
Australia is a dry country, with a large part of its land experiencing arid and semi-arid climates. The coastal areas are exposed to heavier rainfalls, while the central desert regions in South Australia and Western Australia are much drier.
The Lake Eyre Basin is a drainage basin that covers just under one-sixth of Australia, including much of inland Queensland, large portions of South Australia and the Northern Territory, and a part of western New South Wales. It is the largest endorheic basin in Australia and among the largest in the world, covering about 1,200,000 square kilometres. The basin is also one of the largest, least-developed arid-zone basins with a high degree of variability.
The Lake Eyre Basin is one of the world's largest internally draining river systems, with its streams not reaching the sea. The basin contains Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, the fourth-largest terminal lake in the world and Australia's lowest point, 15-16 metres below sea level. The lake is usually empty, only filling partially when flooding occurs upstream in Channel Country.
The Lake Eyre Basin experiences the lowest rainfall in Australia, with an average annual rainfall of 140-150 millimetres. The basin's rivers are slow-flowing, flat, and completely dry for long periods. Rainfall in the basin is sporadic, and river flows fluctuate more dramatically than in any other basin globally. The basin's flat landscape, coupled with high evaporation rates, means that most of the rainwater never reaches Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.
The Lake Eyre Basin is of significant ecological importance, with management measures in place to ensure the sustainability of its river systems.
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Frequently asked questions
South Australia is the driest state in Australia, with an average rainfall of 232 millimetres in 2021 and 310.8mm in 2022.
The city of Adelaide in South Australia experiences around 50 days of rainfall per year.
Tasmania has the highest annual rainfall in Australia, with an average of 1378 millimetres in 2021.
The Lake Eyre basin in South Australia and the desert town of Birdsville in Queensland are among the driest areas in Australia.
