Welcome to the Bureau's Annual Climate Statement for Australia in 2024.
It was Australia's second-warmest year on record, with the national average temperature 1.46 degrees above the long-term average. Most of the country had warmer than average conditions throughout the year. We had our warmest spring on record and winter was our second warmest on record.
Australia's annual rainfall was 28% above average, making 2024 our eighth-wettest year on record. While much of northern Australia and some inland areas had above average rainfall, it was much drier than usual in Victoria, parts of South Australia and some parts of the west.
These drier conditions led to reduced water storage levels in some southern regions. However, Australia's total surface water storage volume was just under 73% at the end of 2024, which was similar to the end of the previous year.
Australia's climate is influenced by global patterns in the oceans and atmosphere. Sea surface temperatures in the Australian region, as well as globally, were the warmest on record in 2024. Warmer oceans can increase the amount of moisture available for rainfall in our weather systems.
Tropical cyclones brought heavy rainfall to northern parts of Australia early in the year.
Low-intensity to severe heatwave conditions affected large parts of Australia during early and late 2024.
And frequent slow-moving high pressure systems to the south of the mainland also affected temperature and rainfall across the country throughout the year.
Globally, 2024 was the warmest year on record, and global warming continues to influence our climate.
For the full Annual Climate Statement for 2024 visit the Bureau's website.
It was Australia's second-warmest year on record, with the national average temperature 1.46 degrees above the long-term average. Most of the country had warmer than average conditions throughout the year. We had our warmest spring on record and winter was our second warmest on record.
Australia's annual rainfall was 28% above average, making 2024 our eighth-wettest year on record. While much of northern Australia and some inland areas had above average rainfall, it was much drier than usual in Victoria, parts of South Australia and some parts of the west.
These drier conditions led to reduced water storage levels in some southern regions. However, Australia's total surface water storage volume was just under 73% at the end of 2024, which was similar to the end of the previous year.
Australia's climate is influenced by global patterns in the oceans and atmosphere. Sea surface temperatures in the Australian region, as well as globally, were the warmest on record in 2024. Warmer oceans can increase the amount of moisture available for rainfall in our weather systems.
Tropical cyclones brought heavy rainfall to northern parts of Australia early in the year.
Low-intensity to severe heatwave conditions affected large parts of Australia during early and late 2024.
And frequent slow-moving high pressure systems to the south of the mainland also affected temperature and rainfall across the country throughout the year.
Globally, 2024 was the warmest year on record, and global warming continues to influence our climate.
For the full Annual Climate Statement for 2024 visit the Bureau's website.
Annual Climate Statement 2024
06 February 2025
2024 was Australia's second-warmest year on record, with above average rainfall in the north and below average rainfall in parts of the south.