Our Climate

Australia’s climate and weather patterns are influenced by a number of factors. Over the last three years, we have been under the influence of La Niña, which has brought rain and cooler temperatures. It is predicted that we are entering El Niño condition years, including hotter temperatures, decreased rainfall and increasing risk of bushfires.

Climate summaries since 2018

	South Australia	Greater Adelaide
2023 SA Adelaide	Rainfall for South Australia as a whole was 12.5% below average, making it the state's driest year since 2019. South Australia's overall mean temperature for 2023 was 1.15 °C above the 1961–1990 average, making it the state's overall seventh-warmest year on record (since 1910) and warmest year since 2019.	Rainfall totals for 2023 were close to average or above average across Adelaide and the Hills. Mean maximum and minimum temperatures were close to average or warmer than average across Adelaide and the Hills.
2022 SA Adelaide	Rainfall in 2022 for South Australia as a whole was 39% above average, which is the highest since 2016. The overall mean temperature for South Australia was 0.15 °C above the 1961–1990 average, making it the state's coolest year since 2010.	Rainfall in 2022 was higher than average at all sites across Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. Daytime temperatures in 2022 tended to be close to average or cooler than average across Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills.
2021 SA Adelaide	South Australia's total rainfall for the year was 1% below the 1961-90 average. Above average rainfall was observed across northwestern South Australia, but rainfall was below average in the South East. The state's annual mean temperature was 0.36 °C above average, which is the lowest since 2010.	Rainfall for 2021 was close to average at sites around Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. Mixed daytime temperatures were found for sites around Greater Adelaide, but temperatures were notably warmer at Mount Lofty. Nights were slightly cooler than average at most sites.
2020 SA Adelaide	Near average rainfall occurred during 2020. Days were warmer than average in most areas and the mean maximum temperature for South Australia, as a whole, was 0.94 °C above average but, after several very warm years, it was the lowest since 2016.	Rainfall in 2020 was close to average or above average at all sites across Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. Overall, 2020 was Greater Adelaide's wettest year since 2017. After more than a decade of warmer-than-average years, 2020 was Greater Adelaide's overall coolest year since 2003. Daytime temperatures for 2020 were within 1 °C of the long-term average at most sites across Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills.
2019 SA Adelaide	Rainfall for South Australia was 65% below average, which was the state's driest year on record. The overall mean temperature for South Australia was 1.45 °C above average, making it the state's second-warmest year on record and warmest since 2013.	Rainfall in Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills was well below average. Daytime temperatures for January to April were markedly above average. From May onwards, mean maximum temperatures were closer to average, although most months were still warmer than average.
2018 SA Adelaide	Rainfall for 2018 was 24% below average for South Australia as a whole, but with significant contrasts between the east and west. Most of the eastern half of South Australia had below average rainfall, including large areas that were much drier than average. Western areas of the North West Pastoral and West Coast districts had a wetter-than-average year. For mean maximum temperature, 2018 ranks as the state's second-warmest year on record. Maximum temperatures were markedly above average across all areas of South Australia, with several sites experiencing the highest mean daily maximum temperature on record.	Rainfall in 2018 was below average throughout Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. Mean maximum temperatures for 2018 were above average throughout Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. For maximum temperatures at the combined Adelaide city sites, 2018 was the eighth-warmest year on record.

Aboriginal People

Aboriginal people and their connection to Country are most at risk from climate change. Aboriginal people have a deep connection to Country and rely on Country for their health and wellbeing. They have managed Country and have a cultural knowledge of Australia’s climate that dates back thousands of years. They are observing sea-level rise and changes to plant growth, animal behaviour, water availability and fire patterns, which are impacting their health and wellbeing and cultural heritage.

A report has been prepared by the Healthy Environment and Lives Network and the Centre for Research Excellence within Strengthening Systems for Indigenous Health Care Equity for the Lowitja Institute, which discusses climate change and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Key findings from this paper are as follows:

Climate change will disrupt cultural and spiritual connections with Country that will impact the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.There have been gaps in consultation and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the assessment of risks and impacts associated with climate change.
Traditional knowledge of Country must be considered and included when planning action regarding climate change.

Climate change will also affect access to bush foods and water supplies for Aboriginal people, particularly in remote areas. Many Aboriginal peoples live in the northern regions of South Australia that will experience more extreme temperatures caused by climate change. Extreme floods and bushfires will also increase the risk of impacts to cultural heritage sites.

Community Views

Concerns regarding climate change were frequently mentioned by 2023 SOER YourSAy survey respondents. Common issues raised by respondents included:

increased temperatures and risk of droughts, fires and other extreme weather events
impacts of climate change on natural habitats and biodiversity
effects of climate change on water and food availability.