Rainfall records tumble in WA winter wrap as drenching ahead for first weekend of spring

Western Australia is known for its pristine beaches, beautiful sunny days and scenic drives, but anyone who has been in the southern half this winter probably has a different story to tell — and the Bureau of Meteorology has new data to back it up.

Rain was the defining feature across the previous three months, and while rainfall over winter was average to above average in the South West Land Division, Gascoyne and Eucla districts, some records tumbled.

Jurien Bay broke a 56-year record with more than 467 millimetres of rain in winter, while Busselton Aero received 576mm of rain, surpassing a 27-year record and Bridgetown had 519mm of rain, breaking a 26-year record. 

They were just some of the 25 locations that broke new total rainfall records.

A special mention to Cowaramup, which did not break records but had the state's highest rainfall totals at 784mm in winter.

Perth experienced wet conditions not seen in 29 years, reaching the most rain across June, July and August since 1996 with more than 500mm in the gauge. Despite some missing rainfall data during June and July, the BOM's climatology team came to that figure by looking at nearby locations.

August in Perth finished with just over than 203mm in the gauge — the city's wettest August since 1955 when it copped 284mm.

There were also some windy conditions as a freak tornado ripped through Perth's coastal suburb of City Beach in what residents said sounded "like a jet engine" in late July.

Meanwhile, it was drier in the north, with rain below average in the Kimberley and Northern Interior districts and average elsewhere, but we did start to see some fog — an indicator of seasonal change.

The hottest temperature was reached at Wyndham Aero at 38.7 degrees Celsius, while Kalumburu had the warmest days on average at 32.7C. 

What about all that cold?

You don’t have to look far on a news website or scientific journal to find articles about how global temperatures are rising amid climate change.

But Perth recorded its coldest day across any month in 50 years on August 25, only getting to a maximum of 11.4C.

And a month earlier in July, the city woke up to its coldest morning in 15 years as the temperature dipped to 0.3C.

July also saw record lows in Rottnest Island at 6C and Mandurah at 3.9C.

So it’s good news that it got that cold, right?

Well, as BOM senior meteorologist Jessica Lingard explained, it is not that simple.

"We have to look at the long-term trend, and while we have had maybe ever so slightly below average conditions for parts of the state, that doesn't negate the above average conditions that we're seeing, not only elsewhere in the state but elsewhere in the country," she said.

"With the data from all the other months and the previous years that we've been seeing, the general trajectory is that we are in an increasing climate where temperatures generally speaking are getting warmer."

Ms Lingard also said temperature extremes on both ends were indicative of climate change.

"That's not to say we won't have the odd cold day and we won't break the odd cold record, but we're going to be breaking those warming records with much more frequency," she said.

Perth daytime temperatures were 0.2C above average and across WA, maximum temperatures were 1C above average in winter, which was the second-highest average behind Tasmania.

Minimum temperatures were above average for southern parts of the state, but below average for central and northern parts.

Winter wonderland

Another feature of this winter was the development of several snow flurries on Bluff Knoll. 

Snow was seen four times atop the popular destination across winter, one in August and three within a short time of each other in July.

While four snow flurries is a usual number for winter, the BOM said having so many in such a short window — on July 21, 24 and 28 — was unusual.

And if you missed an opportunity to see the snow, you might not be out of luck for this year, as BOM meteorologist Mia Williams said there was a chance we could get more in spring. 

“In 2021, we had five separate occasions with snow flurries. Some of those did go into September and October," she said.

"So there is a chance we might get a few more snow flurries if we get some cold fronts through in spring."

Is that the end of the rain?

With all that rain in WA, the flowers are in full bloom this spring, and it is looking like a great wildflower and harvest season ahead. 

Photographers in the regions have captured some stunning landscapes, including these canola fields in York.

While it has been a dry and clear start to spring, a cold front coming through at the end of this week is expected to drop up to 35mm of rain in Perth on Friday with a possible thunderstorm, and up to 15mm on Saturday with windy conditions.

So if you are heading to the football this weekend, there might be a few patchy showers around and some chilly winds.

There is up to 8mm of rain forecast for Sunday, but it starts clearing up on a partly cloudy Monday (18C) and Tuesday (20C) before the sun comes back on Wednesday with a top of 22C.

Ms Lingard described the "flip-flop" between summery and wintry conditions as typical for spring as conditions transitioned between the two seasons.

Heading further into the new season, the BOM has predicted a drier than average spring for central and south-western parts of the state, and to the north, it's expected wet season will start a bit later than usual.

So it might not look like it this weekend, but the sunny beach weather will be back eventually.