Australian Annual Climate Statement 2013

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology has released the Annual Climate Statement 2013. Data collected and analysed show that 2013 was Australia’s warmest year on record while rainfall was slightly below average nationally:

• Summer 2012–13 was the warmest on record nationally, spring was also the warmest on record and winter the third warmest
• Overall, 2013 was Australia’s warmest year on record: annual national mean temperature was +1.20 °C above average
• All States and the Northern Territory ranked in the four warmest years on record
• Nationally-averaged rainfall was slightly below average for the year, with 428 mm (1961–1990 average 465 mm)
• Rainfall was mostly below average for the inland east and centre, and above average for the east coast, northern Tasmania and parts of Western Australia