31/05/2010: Perth has just had its coldest May since 1995, and the wettest May in five years, according to weatherzone.com.au.

The minimum temperature for Perth in the last month averaged just nine degrees, two below the long-term average for May. This was the lowest average minimum in a decade.

Maximum temperatures weren’t as notable, averaging 22 degrees, very close to the long-term average for May. This came despite nine days in the month where the mercury stayed below 20 degrees, a feat which hasn’t happened in three years.

“There were a few intense low pressure systems that crossed the west coast of Western Australian this month,” said Samuel Terry, meteorologist for weatherzone.com.au. “These brought widespread cloud and rain, dropping day-time temperatures. As well as this, cooler winds and clear skies behind these systems brought cooler nights, making it Perth’s coldest May in 15 years.”

The Lower West district fared well in terms of rainfall this May. Many locations received between 80 and 100 percent of their long-term average. However, inland areas, such as Dwellingup and Karnet, didn’t do quite so well.

Perth managed to collect 89 millimetres of rain this month. This made it the wettest May in five years. There were also some heavy falls. The morning of Thursday the 13th saw nine millimetres fall in just five minutes, enough to cause localised flooding.

“On average Perth gets about 12 days of rain each May,” said Terry. “This year Perth only had seven rain days, but average rain, which tells us that the falls were heavier than usual.”

“Another low pressure cell is a chance to reach the west coast by the weekend. This could bring 20 to 40 millimetres more, along with gale-force winds.”

Media Inquiries:

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

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