24
Figure 4.2: Location of Meteorological Station
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
4.3.
Rainfall
The Study Area experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild and relatively wet winters and warm, dry
summers (
Figure 4.3
). There is a rainfall gradient from the coast towards the Adelaide hills:
meteorological stations further from the coast record slightly more rainfall than those on the coast. North
Adelaide, in particular, is wetter than the other stations during winter and spring and receives over 100
mm/y more rainfall per year than all other meteorological stations apart from Pooraka (
Table 4.1
).
Average annual rainfall across the Study Area ranges between about 430 mm and 540 mm.
Summer rainfall averages between 16 and 27 mm per month. Rainfall typically peaks during winter, with
50 to 70 mm/month between June and August (
Figure 4.3
). Annual rainfall has declined over the period
of record for all of the meteorological stations except Seaton (
Figure 4.4
).
Table 4.1: Average annual rainfall across meteorological stations
Station
Annual average rainfall (mm)
Length of rainfall record (yrs)
Adelaide Airport
443
56
Saltworks
429
52
North Adelaide
542
129
Pooraka
486
136
Seaton
444
100
Source: Bureau of Meteorology
