Welcome to the Bureau's Annual Climate Statement for 2023.
Overall, the year was warmer than average for Australia, with the national mean temperature 0.98 ˚C warmer than average. This made 2023 Australia's equal eighth-warmest year on record. Winter 2023 was Australia's warmest on record, with national mean temperature 1.53 ˚C above average.
It was a year of contrasts for rainfall. For parts of northern Australia rainfall was well above average. Heavy rainfall and flooding as a result of tropical cyclones impacted northern areas in early and late 2023. In contrast it was much drier than usual in southern areas, with record low rainfall in parts of Western Australia. August to October was Australia's driest 3-month period since national rainfall records began in 1900.
Surface water storages decreased across Australia during the year. However, total surface water storage volume remained high at the end of 2023.
2023 was an interesting year with a number of different influences on our climate. La Niña was still active in the Pacific Ocean during summer, before weakening and returning to neutral conditions in autumn. Sea surface temperatures in the Australia region were the seventh–highest on record. Ocean temperatures influence our climate and the amount of rainfall available in weather systems. An El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole were established in early spring. Both events contributed to a drier winter and spring in Australia.
Global warming continues to influence Australia's climate. Australia's climate has warmed by around 1.50 °C between 1910 and 2023.
For the full Annual Climate Statement for 2023, please visit the Bureau's website.
Overall, the year was warmer than average for Australia, with the national mean temperature 0.98 ˚C warmer than average. This made 2023 Australia's equal eighth-warmest year on record. Winter 2023 was Australia's warmest on record, with national mean temperature 1.53 ˚C above average.
It was a year of contrasts for rainfall. For parts of northern Australia rainfall was well above average. Heavy rainfall and flooding as a result of tropical cyclones impacted northern areas in early and late 2023. In contrast it was much drier than usual in southern areas, with record low rainfall in parts of Western Australia. August to October was Australia's driest 3-month period since national rainfall records began in 1900.
Surface water storages decreased across Australia during the year. However, total surface water storage volume remained high at the end of 2023.
2023 was an interesting year with a number of different influences on our climate. La Niña was still active in the Pacific Ocean during summer, before weakening and returning to neutral conditions in autumn. Sea surface temperatures in the Australia region were the seventh–highest on record. Ocean temperatures influence our climate and the amount of rainfall available in weather systems. An El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole were established in early spring. Both events contributed to a drier winter and spring in Australia.
Global warming continues to influence Australia's climate. Australia's climate has warmed by around 1.50 °C between 1910 and 2023.
For the full Annual Climate Statement for 2023, please visit the Bureau's website.
Annual Climate Statement 2023
Australia in 2023: equal 8th-warmest year on record with above average rainfall in the north and below average rainfall in the south.