01/12/2008: Perth has just recorded its coldest November since 1971. It was also the wettest November for the city since 1991.

The average minimum for the city came in at 12 degrees, two below average and the coldest for November since 1954. This included seven degrees on the morning of the 7th, the coolest November daily minimum since 2005.

The average maximum was just under 24 degrees, three below average and the coldest for November since 1991, including 11 straight days below average to round off the month. The coldest was just under 19 degrees on the 6th, in the wake of a cold front.

When daytime and overnight temperatures were combined, the average came in at 18 degrees, the coldest for the city in 37 years.

“High pressure systems lingered over the Indian Ocean west of Perth this November, directing cool southerly winds over southwest Western Australia on many days this month,” said weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Jessica Trevena.

The southerlies combined with a series of upper troughs to bring a wet month as well. The city picked up 58mm, the wettest for November in 17 years (since 1991).

It wasn’t just felt Perth that was cold and wet either: with nearly every district picking up above average rainfall and below average temperatures as troughs drew moisture and resultant cloud from warm seas to the north.

Albany, in the south, picked up a whopping 226mm for the month, the wettest November since records began in 1877, and the wettest month since August, 1992.

“It rained on 20 days in Albany this November, and it was, in part, this steadiness that lead to deceptively high rainfall totals over the Southwest and Southern Coastal districts,” said Trevena.

Even Meekatharra in the northern Gascoyne recorded a cool month. Their average maximum of just 29 degrees is a massive four degrees below the November average and the coolest November average maximum since records began at the site in 1950.

Looking ahead into Summer, sustained warm oceans to the north and west of the country means rainfall is likely to remain above normal over much of the state. The enhanced cloudiness that this implies means minimum temperatures are likely to be well above normal over the coming few months, though maximum temperatures should remain fairly close to normal.

Media Inquiries:

Jessica Trevena
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9236

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