Bureau of Meterology (BOM) data shows 2022 was wetter and warmer than average for Australia overall, compared to weather statistics taken over a 30-year period from 1961-1990.
Nationally the mean temperature was 0.50 °C warmer than the 1961–1990 average, making 2022 the equal 22nd warmest year on record since national temperature records began in 1910 and the national rainfall was 25 per cent above the 1961–1990 annual average making 2022 the ninth-wettest year on record.
Queensland overall had 774.27 mm rainfall in 2022, as an area average across the state, which was 24.4 per cent above average and the state’s highest rainfall since 2011.
The average temperature was 0.74 °C warmer than the 1961–1990 annual average, while also being the coolest year for Queensland overall since 2012.
Rainfall was very much above average for the south-eastern quarter of the mainland, where persistent rain saw significant flooding affecting large areas, multiple times during the year.
Rainfall was below average for western Tasmania, much of the north of the Northern Territory, and the far south-west of Western Australia.
Water storage levels have been high across much of Australia during 2022, although some storages were still low for parts of central coast Queensland, western Tasmania, south-east New South Wales and western Victoria.
Annual maximum temperatures were above average for most of northern Australia, Tasmania and parts of the west coast but below average for New South Wales, southern Queensland and parts of South Australia.
Annual minimum temperatures were above or very much above average for most of Australia.
The year was characterised by wetter than average conditions across much of eastern Australia. Climatologically, these conditions were consistent with the wet phase of natural climate variability for our region – namely a La Niña, a negative Indian Ocean Dipole in winter and spring, and a persistently positive phase of the Southern Annular Mode from mid-autumn.
The 2022–23 La Niña has been the third in a row. It is only the fourth time three successive La Niña events in a row have been observed in the Bureau record since 1900 (with the others being 1954–57, 1973–76, and 1998–2001).
State of the Climate 2022 found Australia is experiencing climate change now, with impacts being felt by many communities and industry sectors.
The Bureau will release its full Annual Climate Statement for 2022 in February 2023 including a full analysis and report on the year’s rainfall, temperature, water storages, climate influences and more in relation to long-term climate trends.
Keep up to date with the forecasts at bom.gov.au and from the BOM Weather app.
