31/07/2009: Despite eastern parts of the country experiencing unusual heat for this time of year, Perth was unusually cool, shivering through its coldest July in five years, according to weatherzone.com.au.

Maximum temperatures across Perth have been below normal this month, averaging just 18 degrees, the coldest in 11 years. Minimums were also below average. The monthly average was just 7 degrees, the lowest in three years.

The cooler weather affected other parts of Western Australia as well, including Katanning in the Great Southern district. The town had its coldest July in a decade of records, reaching just 14 degrees.

"Winds were predominantly southerly over the southwest coast of Western Australia during July, which is slightly uncommon for this time of year,” explained Sam Terry, meteorologist for weatherzone.com.au. “The cooler winds, combined with an increase in cloud cover, have contributed to lower maximums across the coasts and inland."

Rainfall across the southwest has been near-average for July, grading to above-average along the Central West coast. Morawa picked up a total of 81 millimetres, making it the wettest July in 12 years of records.

Perth itself has received very close to its monthly average, a beneficial follow-up to the good falls received in June. "A moisture influx from the eastern Indian Ocean will help generate above-average rainfall across Perth and surrounds in August, as has been the case for winter so far," Terry said.

Media Inquiries:

Samuel Terry
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9236

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