Adelaide has recorded one of its driest February to April periods in over a century, according to recent weather data. It comes as high atmospheric pressure continues to influence weather patterns in southern Australia, preventing the onset of typical autumnal rainfall.
Data from Adelaide’s primary weather station at West Terrace/ngayirdapira showed Adelaide received only 12mm of rainfall during April. This follows an extraordinarily dry March, where only 3mm of rain was recorded, as well as a rainless February. Altogether, the rainfall totalled just 15mm over these three months.
This means Adelaide has experienced the driest start to the year since 1923, and the fourth driest February to April period since records began in 1839. The record for the lowest rainfall was set in 1923 when only 3.1mm of rain was recorded.
Experts attribute it to unusually high mean sea level pressure south of Australia which has blocked rain-bearing cold fronts, crucial for seasonal rainfall, from moving across SA. Normally, Adelaide would expect to receive around 88mm of rainfall within these three months, but this year the city only saw 17% of its average rainfall.
The impact of this prolonged dry period is seen in the state’s water reserves. SA Water reports show the capacity of the state’s reservoirs was at 47% at the end of April 2024, a decline from 59% at the same time the previous year. The drop highlights the growing concerns over water security amid continued dry conditions.
Meteorologists and climate experts continue to monitor the patterns closely, hoping for a shift that might bring more typical autumnal weather. For now, both short-term forecasts and longer-term predictions indicate below-average rainfall, which could persistently affect agriculture and water supply.
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