Western Australia’s October weather: A month of extremes

Perth began the month with typical spring weather, with daytime temperatures in the low 20s Celsius. However, the weather quickly became more unpredictable. A slow-moving low-pressure trough initially brought isolated thunderstorms to the Goldfields, Gascoyne, and Interior regions, along with rain across the South West. Thousands of lightning strikes illuminated the Mid West and Central Wheatbelt, accompanied by thunder. Kalannie received the most significant rainfall from this system, recording 12 millimeters.

An unusual hailstorm struck Exmouth, a coastal town where hail is rare due to warmer temperatures. Local Jackie Brooks, a 30-year resident, described the event as a surprise. “It was a huge surprise to be woken up at 5am, sounded like bullet holes,” she said. “Being in Exmouth, usually with blue skies, to have hailstones here has just been incredible.”

Temperatures also varied considerably across the state. The difference between maximum temperatures in the Kimberley and Eucla reached as high as 25 degrees Celsius on some days. While southern areas experienced chilly mornings, the north endured above-average heat. Halls Creek reached a peak of 42 degrees Celsius, exceeding its average of 37.2C. Broome recorded 41.2C, nearly 10 degrees above its typical October temperature of 33C. Perth also experienced a warmer-than-average month, with at least 12 days exceeding its average maximum of 23.4C.

Towards the end of October, a cold front brought cool air and frost to parts of the Great Southern and Goldfields. Narrogin recorded a minimum temperature of 0C, significantly below its average of 7.5C, while Collie registered 0.1C compared to its average of 7.4C.

Despite some rainfall in the South West corner and interior, including 118 millimeters in North Walpole and five times the average rainfall in Warburton, Perth’s rainfall remained below average at 38.6 millimeters, marking the sixth consecutive month of below-average precipitation. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a higher chance of rainfall across southern WA from November, with temperatures expected to be near average.

Residents are now wondering if Perth will finally receive substantial rainfall before the onset of summer.