Mid West breaks records as temperatures soar with zero rainfall, BOM says reprieve expected by end of May
After a long and dry summer that included the equal hottest temperature on record, the Mid West can expect to see rain by the end of May, according to the Bureau of Meteorology — just not before breaking a few more records.
With a hint of a chill rolling in on Anzac Day morning, residents of the Mid West were wondering if it was time to grab out their jumpers and coats from the back of the cupboard.
However, consistently high temperatures and little to no rain has left the region wondering what season it is really in, and if winter was actually coming.
From May 7 to May 9, Geraldton Airport recorded maximum temperatures over 34C for three consecutive days (34.2C, 35.9C and 36.6C respectively), a statistic that hasn't been seen in Geraldton since 1959, according to Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Yanhui Blockley.
'It's very rare the temperature will reach that of or above 34C so late in autumn,' she said.
'On Friday, May 9, the temperature reached 36.6C, the equal-highest May temperature on record, with the last maximum occurring on May 12, 2018.
'That persistent warm weather or hot weather is unusual. It's about 5C warmer than the average maximum May temperature.'
A persistent high pressure system off the coast of WA has brought easterly winds that push rain clouds away, leading to persistent dry, hot days with little to no rainfall.
So far in May, Geraldton has received zero rainfall, with the wider Mid West region only recording 0.4mm.
The average rainfall for Geraldton Airport for the month of May is 69.5mm.
Ms Blockley said to expect the clouds to open towards the end of the month.
'As the days draw closer to winter we expect some rainfall coming with a cold front,' she said.
'We may also see conditions similar to May 2019, where Geraldton only recorded 1.9mm for the entire month.
'However, we will continue to monitor this, but rain is predicted to fall at the end of May.'
This would bring a sigh of relief to many worried farmers who have begun seeding and are awaiting rainfall to ensure a decent harvest.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
3 hours ago
- ABC News
Rain, cold snap forecast for parts of Queensland before school holidays
South-east Queensland residents can expect a reprieve from the wet and wintry weather later this week before conditions pick up again ahead of the official start of the school holidays. Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) senior forecaster Baden Gilbert said showers were forecast to continue in the eastern parts of the state before easing on Wednesday. "As we go into Tuesday, we're going to see a trough crossing the southern interior, which is going to lead to showers about that part of the state," Mr Gilbert said. "But by the time we get into Wednesday, that trough will move offshore and bring some drier air for much of southern and central Queensland." He said the weather system was then expected to do a U-turn and bring more rain. In Far North Queensland, the unseasonal rain is forecast to continue throughout the week. "We're just going to see those showers sort of more persist, maybe easing back a little bit in the middle of the week and then perhaps pick up a little bit more as we go into the end of the week and into next weekend," he said. Despite the wet weather, Mr Gilbert said overall rainfall totals would not be significant as the weather system was expected to pass quickly. "Rainfall totals through the southern interior parts of central Queensland aren't likely to be too big because this trough is going to be moving quite quickly … and in terms of northern Queensland, nothing too big either." Cooler temperatures across the state are also expected to return in the coming days. "In terms of those minimum temperatures, we are going to see them pretty warm for the first half of the week," Mr Gilbert said. He said temperatures could drop below 5 degrees Celsius in Roma, Charleville, Dalby and Toowoomba on Wednesday before falling even further to below zero on Friday. "Looks like the coldest morning at the moment is going to be Friday morning, but it's not going to be as big or as broad as it was at the start of June," he said. "We do get these cold snaps from time to time and our long-range forecast is showing that across winter as a whole we're still projecting towards above average minimum and maximum temperatures."
Sky News AU
4 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Frost 'on its way' for nation's south-east as one state faces 'unseasonably wet' start to week and gale force winds blow through the Bight
Frost is "on its way" for parts of Australia's south-east, while Queensland is set to face an "unseasonably wet" start to the week and gale force winds blow through the Great Australian Bight. Winter's bite will continue to be felt across the nation on Monday, according to Sky News Weather Presenter Wendy John. "Cool weather" is forecast for much of the south-east to start the week, with locals advised "rugging up" might be their best option. "Frost is on its way, there's a frost warning for large areas of New South Wales, extending right up to the northern table lands," John added. Sydneysiders face a low of just eight degrees on Monday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with Canberrans also set to face chilly conditions. A high of just 15 degrees is forecast for the nation's capital, alongside a 50 per cent chance of showers and "areas of frost", the BOM reports. Elsewhere, John explained Western Australia could expect to see showers "from Geraldton right down through Margaret River, Albany, and out to Esperance" over the coming hours. A "really powerful low" moving across the Great Australian Bight is set to bring gale force winds and rainfall to nearby areas. "We are looking at that bringing some positive rainfall to the agricultural regions of South Australia through Monday and into early Tuesday morning and look at this widespread rain right throughout the middle of New South Wales," John said. "Some pretty heavy activity down here around Gippsland in Victoria as well, so there may be some isolated dumps of some heavier falls in those areas." Further north and Queenslanders are also being warned to brace for rain, with the state's tropics "unseasonably wet". "Innisfail up until Sunday evening received about 12 millimetres. Mackay also had a little bit in the rain gauge, 2.4 millimetres, but more is expected throughout Sunday evening into Monday," John explained. "Over the next few days, however, rain totals could be around fifty millimetres around Cairns, Innisfail and in the Mackay region as well, so not necessarily somewhere to go to stay dry." Despite the wet weather, parts of Queensland will see warmer temperatures over the coming week, with Cairns and Townsville set to hit a top of 27 on Monday. Brisbane, meanwhile, will be 23 and possibly see some showers. Elsewhere, Melbourne will see a top of 19 degrees to start the week, while Adelaide will see the same maximum only with a high chance of showers. Perth can expect a top of 18 and cloudy conditions on Monday and Darwin will be a rare beacon of sun, with clear skies and a top of 31 degrees forecast.
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Hilary's transformed into winter wonderland
Hillary's iconic boardwalk has been transformed into a winter wonderland, delighting little ones with magic snow, bubble igloos and enchanting snow fairies. Dozens of locals braved Perth's wet and wild weather on Sunday to have 'snow' much fun at Hillary's Snowgrounds afternoon. Youngsters were rugged up in beanies and scarves to take part in the event's free 'Build a Snowman' workshop and roll their very own snowman. Oliver shows off his completed snow man at Hillarys Snow Grounds today. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian Four-year-old Oliver built three adorable snowmen. 'He was so excited to build a snowman, we haven't travelled anywhere to build one before so he was so excited,' mother Stacey said. 'We just had so much fun and it was really well organised.' Perth dropped to a chilly minimum of just 9.4C and 10.5C on Saturday and Sunday respectively, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a top of 18C on Monday, and 19C on Tuesday and Wednesday. 'Build a Snowman' will return to Hillarys Boardwalk on Sunday June 22 and June 29. For more information visit
