Highlights
September 2010 was Australia’s wettest September of its 111-year period of record, surpassing the record previously set in 1906. Rainfall averaged across the country was nearly two times higher the long-term average, due largely to well-above average rainfall in the tropics and subtropics. Australia’s dry season in these regions is typically from May to October, making the heavy rainfall very unusual. The rainfall was associated with the development of moderate to strong La Niña conditions earlier in 2010. By the end of the month, South Australia had already received its average annual rainfall, making 2010 the first above-average year since 2003. While the wet conditions helped alleviate seasonal dry conditions, it was not enough to overcome long-term (14-year) drought deficits in southeastern Australia and southwest Western Australia.Photo credit: Garry – www.visionandimagination.com via Flickr
The source article State of the Climate | Global Analysis | September 2010 .
