Annual mean temperature chart. Photo: supplied/BoM
The Bureau of Meteorology has released its 2024 record of weather events and statistics are marked by rising sea temperatures.
The Annual Climate Statement 2024 was Australia’s second warmest and eighth-wettest year on record.
Climatology Specialist Nadine D’Argent said it was warmer than average throughout 2024 across most of the country.
“Nationally, spring was the warmest on record, winter was the second warmest on record and summer 2023–24 was the third warmest on record,” Ms D’Argent said.
“It was the wettest year since 2011, with overall rainfall 28% above average,” she said.
Tropical cyclones brought heavy rainfall to northern parts of Australia early in the year, where there was major flooding, she said.
While much of northern Australia and some inland areas had above average rainfall, she said that it was much drier than usual in some southern regions including Victoria, parts of South Australia and parts of the west.
Those dry conditions and low inflows led to reduced water storage levels in some southern regions, including the Murray–Darling Basin.
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.
She said Australia’s climate is influenced by global patterns in the oceans and atmosphere, and that sea surface temperatures in the Australian region, as well as globally, in 2024 were the warmest on record.
“Warmer oceans can increase the amount of moisture available for rainfall in our weather systems.” Globally, 2024 was the warmest year on record and the warming in Australia is consistent with global trends.
