September 2012 to August 2013 mark the warmest 12 months on record for Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology said yesterday.
The average temperature across the country was 22.92 °C during that time — 1.11 °C above the 1961–1990 average, surpassing the previous record of +1.08 °C that occurred between February 2005 and January 2006.
Temperatures for the calendar year to date (January to August) are also the warmest on record, at 1.13 °C above the long-term average. ,
In the past 12-month period a large number of temperature records have fallen across Australia including:
- Australia’s hottest summer day on record (7 January)
- Australia’s warmest winter day on record (31 August)
- Australia’s hottest month on record (January)
- Australia’s hottest summer on record
- Australia’s hottest January to August period on record
- Australia’s warmest 12-month period on record
The period ending August 2013 has also resulted in numerous State and Territory records including:
- The hottest January to August period on record for South Australia and Victoria
- The warmest winter on record for Victoria
- The warmest 12-month period on record for South Australia
- The warmest winter day on record for the Northern Territory
Generally above-average temperatures have persisted with few breaks during the past 12 months, with long periods of warmer-than-average days and a distinct lack of strong cold fronts across the south. Nights have also been warmer than average, but less so than daytime temperatures.
For more information, visit the Bureau of Meteorology’s website at www.bom.gov.au/climate/change/
