Darwin has just experienced its hottest December-to-February on record on top of a notably dry ‘wet’ season.

During December, January, and February, Darwin’s maximum temperatures averaged 33.8 degrees (1.8C above average) with minimums averaging 26.3 degrees (1.4C above average). This makes both minimum and maximum temperatures the hottest in more than 76 years of records.

These temperatures easily beat the previous records set during December-to-February 2018/19, and more than 0.8 degrees higher than the previous hottest before that (the 1982/83 season). 

In addition to the searing temperatures, this has been the driest wet season to date (October to February) in 28 years, with only 791mm falling in the gauge, 463mm behind what it normally would be at this point in the season. This adds up to being the 6th driest on record on the back of the 7th driest in 2018/19 (844mm).

Image: Rainfall has been below average for much of the Northern Territory during this wet season

It should be no surprise that Darwin's dam levels are sitting at about 55% capacity, down from 78% this time last year and 100% the year before. However, there are still 2 months left of the wet season, which could make up for some of the deficits.

What makes this weather particularly unusual, is the lack of an El Niño event in the last two years. An El Niño typically brings much drier and hotter conditions to Darwin.

In the months ahead both March and April are expected to have above minimum and maximum temperatures. However, while March is tipped to be a bit drier than normal, climate models are suggesting April could be wetter than average, hopefully giving a late wet season surge to the dams.