Historic WA temperature records compared to recent BoM data

Below is data extracted from The Climate of Western Australia 1876-1899 (PDF 25.4mb) compiled in 1901 by then Government Astronomer William Ernest Cooke.

This historic document contains raw, unregulated data that is considered unreliable by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology but nevertheless is the only record available of estimated temperatures in WA during the late 19th century.

A rainfall comparison is included for each of the 25 locations surveyed by the Government Astronomer that have records maintained by the Bureau of Meteorology.

Some locations have records current to 2010 and others have been discontinued in past years. Many have inadequate years for a proper comparison but nevertheless give some insight to temperatures at the end of the 19th century.

Perth Botanic Gardens

Perth Botanic Gardens mean temperature 1876-1899 - 64.9F (18.3C)

Perth Metro (9225) mean temperature 1994-2010 - 18.6C

Perth Regional Office (9034 - 4km distance) mean temperature 1981-1992 - 19.1C

Perth Botanic Gardens mean annual minimum 1876-1899 - 54.2F (12.3C)

Perth Metro (9225) mean annual minimum 1994-2010 - 12.6C

Perth Regional Office (9034) mean annual minimum 1981-1992 - 14.2C

Perth Botanic Gardens mean annual maximum 1876-1899 - 75.6F (24.2C)

Perth Metro (9225) mean annual maximum 1994-2010 - 24.5C

Perth Regional Office (9034) mean annual maximum 1981-1992 - 24C

Rainfall

Perth Botanic Gardens annual rainfall - mean annual rainfall 1876-1899 - 32.9 inches (835.66mm)

Perth Metro annual rainfall - mean annual rainfall 1994-2010 - 732.3mm

Perth Observatory

Perth Observatory mean temperature 1897-1899 (3 years) 64.1F (17.8C)

Perth Metro (9255) mean temperature 1994-2010 (17 years) - 18.6C

Perth Regional Office (9034 - 4km distance) mean temperature 1981-1992 - 19.1C

Perth Observatory mean annual minimum 1897-1899 - 55.2F (12.9C)

Perth Metro (9225) mean annual minimum 1994-2010 - 12.6C

Perth Regional Office (9034) mean annual minimum 1981-1992 - 14.2C

Perth Observatory mean annual maximum 1897-1899 - 73F (22.8C)

Perth Metro (9225) mean annual maximum 1994-2010 - 24.5C

Perth Regional Office (9034) mean annual maximum 1981-1992 - 24C

Rainfall

Perth Observatory mean annual rainfall 1897-1899 - 30.44 inches (773.1mm)

Perth Metro annual rainfall - mean annual rainfall 1994-2010 - 732.3mm

Albany

Albany mean temperature 1880-1899 (20 years) - 59F (15C)

Albany (9500) mean temperature 1951-1965 (14 years) - 15.9C

Albany Airport (9741 - 12km distance inland) mean temperature 1981-2010 - 15.4C

Albany mean annual minimum 1880-1899 - 52.6F (11.4C)

Albany (9500) mean annual minimum 1951-1965 - 12.1C

Albany Airport (9741) mean annual minimum 1981-2010 - 10.6C

Albany mean annual maximum 1880-1899 - 65.3F (18.5C)

Albany (9500) mean annual maximum 1951-1965 - 19.6C

Albany Airport (9741) mean annual maximum 1981-2010 - 20.2C

Rainfall

Albany mean annual rainfall 1877-1899 (23 years) - 33.89 inches (860.8mm)

Albany mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 - 868.7mm

Albany Airport mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 - 784.7mm

Broome

Broome mean temperature 1894-1899 (5 years) - 78.6F (25.9C)

Broome Post Office (3002) mean temperature 1941-1953 (11 years) - 27C

Broome Airport (3003 - 1.6km distance) mean temperature 1981-2010 - 26.8

Broome mean annual minimum 1894-1899 - 68.2F (20.1C)

Broome Post Office (3002) mean annual minimum 1931-1953 - 21.2C

Broome Airport (3003) mean annual minimum 1981-2010 - 21.3C

Broome mean annual maximum 1894-1899 - 89.1F (31.7)

Broome Post Office (3002) mean annual maximum 1931-1953 - 32.4

Broome Airport (3003) mean annual maximum 1981-2010 - 32.2

Rainfall

Broome mean annual rainfall 1889-1899 (10 years) - 24.25 inches (615.95mm)

Broome Post Office mean annual rainfall 1941-1953 (12 years) - 533.3mm

Broome Airport mean annual rainfal 1981-2010 - 658.4mm

Bunbury

Bunbury mean temperature 1880-1899 (18 years) - 61.4F (16.3C)

Bunbury Post Office (9514) mean temperature 1965-1985 (21 years) - 17.2C

Bunbury (9965) mean temperature 1995-2010 (15 years) - 17C

Bunbury mean annual minimum 1880-1899 - 52.2F (11.2C)

Bunbury Post Office (9514) mean annual minimum 1965-1985 - 12.4C

Bunbury (9965) mean annual minimum 1995-2010 - 10.9C

Bunbury mean annual maximum 1880-1899 - 70.7F (21.5C)

Bunbury Post Office (9514) mean annual maximum 1965-1985 - 21.9C

Bunbury (9965) mean annual maximum 1995-2010 - 23C

Rainfall

Bunbury mean annual rainfall 1877-1899 (23 years) - 37.02 inches (940.3mm)

Bunbury Post Office mean annual rainfall 1961-1985 (24 years) - 819.4mm

Bunbury mean annual rainfall 1995-2011 - 722.6mm

Cape Leeuwin

Cape Leeuwin mean temperature 1897-1899 (3 years) - 62.2F (16.8C)

Cape Leeuwin (9518) mean temperature 1981-2010 - 17.3C

Cape Leeuwin mean annual minimum 1897-1899 - 57.2F (14C)

Cape Leeuwin (9518) mean annual minimum 1981-2010 - 14.4C

Cape Leeuwin mean annual maximum 1897-1899 - 67.3F (19.6C)

Cape Leeuwin (9518) mean annual maximum 1981-2010 - 20.1C

Rainfall

Cape Leeuwin mean annual rainfall 1897-1899 (3 years) 34.8 inches (883.9mm)

Cape Leeuwin mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 - 890.9mm

Carnarvon

Carnarvon mean temperature 1885-1899 (10 years) - 72.2 F (22.3C)

Carnarvon Post Office (6062) mean temperature 1941-1950 (10 years) - 22.15C

Carnarvon Airport (6011 - 2.4km distance) mean temperature 1981-2010 - 22.4C

Carnarvon mean annual minimum 1885-1899 - 60.8F (16C)

Carnarvon Post Office (6062) mean annual minimum 1941-1950 - 17.5C

Carnarvon Airport (6011) mean annual minimum 1981-2010 - 17.2C

Carnarvon mean annual maximum 1885-1899 - 83.6F (28.7C)

Carnarvon Post Office (6062) mean annual maximum 1941-1950 - 26.8C

Carnarvon Airport (6011) mean annual maximum 1981-2010 - 27.5C

Rainfall

Carnarvon annual rainfall 1883-1899 (17 years) - 8.24 inches (209.3mm)

Carnarvon Post Office mean annual rainfall 1941-1950 - 227.6mm

Carnarvon Airport mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 - 221.4mm

Coolgardie

Coolgardie mean temperature 1897-1899 (3 years) 65.4F (18.6C)

Coolgardie Post Office (12018) mean temperature 1931-1953 (23 years) - 18.2C

Coolgardie mean annual minimum 1897-1899 52.6F (11.4C)

Coolgardie Post Office (12018) mean annual minimum 1931-1953 - 11.3C

Coolgardie mean annual maximum 1897-1899 - 78.1F (25.6C)

Coolgardie Post Office (12081) mean annual maximum 1931-1953 - 25C

Rainfall

Coolgardie mean annual rainfall 1893-1899 (7 years) - 7.31 inches (185.6mm)

Coolgardie mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 - 306.8mm

Cossack

Cossack mean temperature 1881-1899 (12 years) - 78.8 F (26C)

Cossack (4054) mean temperature 1881-1918 (35 years) - (26C)

Roebourne (4035 - 11.8km distance) mean temperature 1981-2010 (29 years) - 27.8C

Rainfall

Cossack mean annual rainfall 1881-1899 (18 years) - 9.86 inches (250.4mm)

Cossack mean annual rainfall 1992-2010 - 315.4mm

Cue

Cue mean temperature 1897-1899 (3 years) 71.3F (21.8C)

Cue (7017) mean temperature 1961-1985 (24 years) - 21.65C

Cue mean annual minimum 1897-1899 - 58.3F (14.6C)

Cue (7071) mean annual minimum 1961-1985 - 14.9C

Cue mean annual maximum 1897-1899 - 84.2F (29C)

Cue (7071) mean annual maximum 1961-1985 - 28.4C

Rainfall

Cue annual mean rainfall 1895-1899 (5 years) 5.33 inches (135.3mm)

Cue annual rainfall 1961-1990 (30 years) - 236.4mm

Derby

Derby mean temperature 1888-1899 (10 years) - 81.3F (27.4C)

Derby Post Office (3007) mean temperature 1981-1997 (16 years) - 28.3C

Derby Aero (3032 - 8.1km distance) mean temperature 1981-2010 (17 years) - 28.1C

Derby mean annual minimum 1888-1899 - 69.9F (21.1C)

Derby Post Office (3007) mean annual minimum 1981-1997 - 21.9C

Derby Aero (3032) mean annual minimum 1981-2010 - 21.5C

Derby mean annual maximum 1888-1899 - 92.6F (33.7C)

Derby Post Office (3007) mean annual maximum 1981-1997 - 34.6C

Derby Aero (3032) mean annual maximum 1981-2010 - 34.6C

Rainfall

Derby mean annual rainfall 1883-1899 (14 years) 29.88 inches (758.96mm)

Derby Post Office 1981-2010 (16 years) 652.1mm

Derby Aero mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 (26 years) 783.2mm

Esperance

Esperance mean temperature 1883-1899 (13 years) - 61.5F (16.4C)

Esperance Post Office (9541) mean temperature 1941-1969 - 16.4C

Esperance (9789) mean temperature 1981-2010 - 17C

Esperance Aero (9542 - 19.2km distance) mean temperature 1991-2010 - 16.6C

Esperance mean annual minimum 1883-1899 - 52.4F (11.3C)

Esperance Post Office (9541) mean annual minimum 1941-1969 - 11.5C

Esperance (9789) mean annual minimum 1981-2010 - 12.1C

Esperance Aero (9542) mean annual minimum 1991-2010 - 11.2C

Esperance mean annual maximum 1883-1899 - 70.6F (21.4C)

Esperance Post Office (9541) mean annual maximum 1941-1969 - 21.3C

Esperance (9789) mean annual maximum 1981-2010 - 21.9C

Esperance Aero (9542) mean annual maximum 1991-2010 - 22C

Rainfall

Esperance mean annual rainfall 1883-1899 (16 years) - 24.41 inches (620mm)

Esperance Post Office mean annual rainfall 1941-1969 (29 years) - 698.3mm

Esperance mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 - 602.4mm

Esperance Aero mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 (30 years) - 563mm

Fremantle

Fremantle mean temperature 1881-1899 (15 years) - 64F (17.8C)

Fremantle (9017) mean temperature 1951-1978 (17 years) - 18C

Rainfall

Fremantle mean annual rainfall 1877-1899 (22 years) - 29.53 inches (750mm)

Fremantle mean annual rainfall 1951-1978 - 780.6mm

Geraldton

Geraldton mean temperature 1880-1899 (17 years) - 66.5 F (19.2C)

Geraldton Town (8050) mean temperature 1921-1950 (30 years) - 19.8C

Geraldton Airport (8051 - 9.2km distance) mean temperature 1981-2010 - 19.9C

Geraldton mean annual minimum 1880-1899 - 57F (13.9C)

Geraldton Town (8050) mean annual minimum 1921-1950 - 14.8C

Geraldton Airport (8051) mean annual minimum 1981-2010 - 13.7C

Geraldton mean annual maximum 1880-1899 - 76.1F (24.5C)

Geraldton Town (8050) mean annual maximum 1921-1950 - 24.8C

Geraldton Airport (8051) mean annual maximum 1981-2010 - 26.1C

Rainfall

Geraldton mean annual rainfall 1877-1899 (22 years) - 17.68 inches (449mm)

Geraldton Town mean annual rainfall 1921-1950 - 455.5mm

Geraldton Airport mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 - 416.3mm

Halls Creek

Halls Creek mean temperature 1899 (1 year) - 76.3F (24.6C)

Old Halls Creek (2011) mean annual temperature 1898-1920 (23 years) - 25.7C

Old Halls Creek mean annual temperature 1941-1969 (14 years) - 25.7C

Halls Creek Airport (2012 - 12.7km distance) mean annual temperature 1981-2010 - 27C

Rainfall

Halls Creek mean annual rainfall 1890-1899 (9 years) - 21.29 inches (540.8mm)

Old Halls Creek mean annual rainfall 1898-1920 - 524.5mm

Old Halls Creek mean annual rainfall 1941-1970 (23 years) - 473.5mm

Halls Creek Airport mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 - 635.8mm

Hamelin Pool

Hamelin Pool mean temperature 1897-1899 (3 years) - 71.3 F (21.8C)

Hamelin Pool (6025) mean annual temperature 1951-1980 (29 years) - 22.3

Rainfall

Hamelin Pool mean annual rainfall 1885-1899 (14 years) 7.54 inches (191.5mm)

Hamelin Pool mean annual rainfall 1990-2010 (16 years) - 203.9mm

Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie mean temperature 1897-1899 (3 years) - 65.9F (18.8C)

Kalgoorlie Post Office (12039) mean temperature 1931-1953 (23 years) - 18.8C

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport (12038 - 4km distance) mean temperature 1981-2010 - 18.7C)

Kalgoorlie mean annual minimum 1897-1899 - 53.9F (12.2C)

Kalgoorlie Post Office (12039) mean annual minimum 1931-1953 - 12.2C

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport (12038) mean annual minimum 1981-2010 - 12C

Kalgoorlie mean annual maximum 1897-1899 - 77.9F (25.5C)

Kalgoorlie Post Office (12039) mean annual maximum 1931-1953 - 25.4C

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport (12038) mean annual maximum 1981-2010 - 25.4C

Rainfall

Kalgoorlie mean annual rainfall 1896-1899 (4 years) 7.86 inches (199.6mm)

Kalgoorlie Post Office mean annual rainfall 1931-1953 - 239.1mm

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport 1981-2010 - 277.5mm

Katanning

Katanning mean temperature 1897-1899 (3 years) - 59.8F (15.4C)

Katanning (10916) mean temperature 1999-2010 (12 years) - 15.9C

Katanning Comparison (10579 - 4.7km distance) mean temperature 1981-2010 - 15.9C

Katanning mean annual minimum 1897-1899 - 47.1F (8.4C)

Katanning (10916) mean annual minimum 1999-2010 - 9.4C

Katanning Comparison (10579) mean annual minimum 1981-2010 - 9.4C

Katanning mean annual maximum 1897-1899 - 72.5F (22.5C)

Katanning (10916) mean annual maximum 1999-2010 - 22.4C

Katanning Comparison (10579) mean annual maximum 1981-2010 - 22.3C

Rainfall

Katanning mean annual rainfall 1891-1899 (8 years) 14.98 inches (380.5mm)

Katanning mean annual rainfall 1999-2010 - 427.5mm

Katanning Comparison mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 - 450.2mm

Menzies

Menzies mean temperature 1897-1899 (3 years) - 67.3F (19.6C)

Menzies (12052) mean temperature 1971-1996 (23years) - 19.7C

Menzies mean annual minimum 1897-1899 - 55F (12.8C)

Menzies (12052) mean annual minimum 1976-1996 - 12.8C

Menzies mean annual maximum 1897-1899 - 79.6F (26.4C)

Menzies (12052) mean annual maximum 1976-1996 - 26.6C

Rainfall

Menzies mean annual rainfall 1896-1899 (3 years) 4.61 inches (117.1mm)

Menzies mean annual rainfall 1971-2000 (28 years) - 288.9mm

Nullagine

Nullagine mean temperature 1899 (one year) - 74.6 F (23.67C)

Nullagine (4027) mean temperature 1951-1980 (22 years) - 25.1C

Rainfall

Nullagine mean annual rainfall 1898-1899 (two years) - 18.85 inches (478.7mm)

Nullagine mean annual rainfall 1951-1980 (30 years) - 323.4mm

Onslow

Onslow mean temperature 1887-1899 (11 years) - 75.4F (24.1C)

Onslow (5016) mean temperature 1981-2010 - 25.3C

Onslow Airport (5017 - 3.6km distance) mean temperature 1998-2010 (13 years) - 26.05C

Onslow mean annual minimum 1887-1899 - 61.6F (16.4C)

Onslow (5016) mean annual minimum 1981-2010 - 19.4C

Onslow Airport (5017) mean annual minimum 1998-2010 - 19.7C

Onslow mean annual maximum 1887-1899 - 88.9F (31.6C)

Onslow (5016) mean annual maximum 1981-2010 - 31.2C

Onslow Airport (5017) mean annual maximum 1998-2010 - 32.4C

Rainfall

Onslow mean annual rainfall 1886-1899 (14 years) - 7.26 inches (184.4mm)

Onslow mean annual rainfall 1981-2010 - 291.9mm

Onslow Airport mean annual rainfall 1998-2010 - 258.4mm

Rottnest Island

Rottnest mean temperature 1880-1899 (11 years) - 63.9F (17.7C)

Rottnest Island (9193) mean temperature 1983-2010 (21 years) - 18.9C

Rottnest Lighthouse (9038 - .2km distance) mean temperature 1975-1995 (24 years) - 18.5C

Rottnest mean annual minimum 1880-1899 - 56F (13.3C)

Rottnest Island (9193) mean annual minimum 1983-2010 - 15.6C

Rottnest Island Lighthouse (9038) mean annual minimum 1981-1995 - 15.3C

Rottnest mean annual maximum 1880-1899 - 71.9F (22.2C)

Rottnest Island (9193) mean annual maximum 1983-2010 - 22.1C)

Rottnest Island Lighthouse (9038) mean annual maximum 1981-1995 - 21.8C

Rainfall

Rottnest mean annual rainfall 1880-1899 (18 years) - 29.5 inches (749.3mm)

Rottnest Island mean annual rainfall 1983-2011 (18 years) - 575.8mm

Rottnest Lighthouse mean annual rainfall 1971-1995 (25 years) - 600.4mm

Southern Cross

Southern Cross mean temperature 1895-1899 (5 years) - 64.6F (18.1C)

Southern Cross (12074) mean temperature 1981-2007 (27 years) - 18.3C

Southern Cross Airfield (12320 - 2.7km distance) mean temperature 1996-2010 (14 years) - 18C

Southern Cross mean annual minimum 1895-1899 - 50.4F (10.2C)

Southern Cross (12074) mean annual minimum 1981-2007 - 11.3C

Southern Cross Airfield (12320) mean annual minimum 1996-2010 - 10.1C

Southern Cross mean annual maximum 1895-1899 - 78.8F (26C)

Southern Cross (12074) mean annual maximum 1981-2007 - 25.2C

Southern Cross Airfield (12320) mean annual maximum 1996-2010 - 25.8C

Rainfall

Southern Cross mean annual rainfall 1889-1890 (10 years) - 8.94 inches (227mm)

Southern Cross mean annual rainfall 1981-2007 - 350.4mm

Southern Cross Airfield mean annual rainfall 1996-2011 - 302.5mm

Wyndham

Wyndham mean temperature 1889-1899 (seven years) - 85.4F (29.7C)

Wyndham (1013) mean temperature 1981-2010 - 29.5C

Wyndham mean annual minimum 1889-1899 - 74.6F (23.7C)

Wyndham (1013) mean annual minimum 1981-2010 - 23.3C

Wyndham mean annual maximum 1889-1899 - 96.2F (35.7C)

Wyndham (1013) mean annual maximum 1981-2010 - 35.7C

Rainfall

Wyndham mean annual rainfall 1886-1899 (13 years) - 28.01 inches (711.5mm)

Wyndham (1013) mean annual rainfall 1968-2011 - 813.2mm

Yalgoo

Yalgoo mean temperature 1897-1899 (3 years) - 69.2F (20.7C)

Yalgoo (7091) mean temperature 1951-1975 (24 years) - 20.6C

Yalgoo mean annual minimum 1897-1899 - 55.9F (13.3C)

Yalgoo (7091) mean annual minimum 1951-1975 - 13.1C

Yalgoo mean annual maximum 1897-1899 - 82.5F (28.1C)

Yalgoo (7091) mean annual maximum 1951-1975 - 28.1C

Rainfall

Yalgoo mean annual rainfall 1896-1899 (3 years) - 8.47 inches (215.1mm)

Yalgoo mean annual rainfall 1951-1980 (26 years) - 261.7mm

York

York mean temperature 1880-1899 (18 years) - 63.6F (17.6C)

York Post Office (10144) mean temperature 1981-1996 (15 years) - 18C

York (10311 - 1.9km distance) mean temperature 1996-2010 (15 years) - 17.5C

York mean annual minimum 1880-1899 - 51.8F (11C)

York Post Office (10144) mean annual minimum 1981-1996 - 10.7C

York (10311) mean annual minimum 1996-2010 - 9.5C

York mean annual maximum 1880-1899 - 75.3F (24.1C)

York Post Office (10144) mean annual maximum 1981-1996 - 25.2C

York (10311) mean annual maximum 1996-2010 - 25.4C

Rainfall

York mean annual rainfall 1877-1899 (23 years) - 17.14 inches (435.3mm)

York Post Office mean annual rainfall 1981-1996 - 430.4mm

York mean annual rainfall 1996-2010 - 401.8mm

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