Perth is on track to record a completely rainless month, making this just the eigth time no rain has been recorded in March. The parched city has not registered a single drop of rain for the past 30 days and the prospect of precipitation seems unlikely during the last four days of March. Perth typically sees around 19mm of rain during March, making it the driest Australian capital city in the first month of autumn. But while March usually sees little rain, this is only the eigth time since 1876 that not a single drop has registered in the gauge during March. Perth has a Mediterranean style climate that is defined by dry, hot summers and cold, wet winters. Rainfall usually increases around from this point onwards as cold fronts, which produce most of Perth's annual rain, become more and more frequent and extend further north. Parts of southern Australia have seen an increase in frontal activity this month, with snow even falling on alpine peaks in Victoira and Tasmania last week. But despite this noticeable increase in frontal activity to the east, Perth has so far missed out. High atmospheric pressure has been a dominant feature for the lower west this month, which has acted as a barrier to approaching cold fronts. It is because of these blocking highs that the rain-producing cold fronts have failed to reach parched Perth. The next front will approach Western Australia this week, although the city is unlikely to see more than an increase in cloud and a five-or-so degree temperature drop on Thursday. Rain is unlikely in Perth from this system. Looking ahead, cold fronts are expected to have an increasing affect on Perth's weather during April and May, with the onset of the traditional wet season. Perth usually receives 41mm of rain during April and 123mm in May. At this stage, there are no indications that rainfall will be above or below average during the rest of autumn.