National 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.
National rainfall was 25 per cent above the 1961-1990 annual average, making 2022 the ninth-wettest year on record.
In so surprise to anyone, 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.
Water storage levels were also high across much of Australia during 2022, although some storages were still low for parts of central coast Queensland, western Tasmania, south-east NSW 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 NSW, southern Queensland and parts of South Australia.
Annual minimum temperatures were above or very much above average for most of Australia.
Climatologically, these conditions were consistent with the wet phase of natural climate variability for the 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 BOM record since 1900 (with the others being 1954-57, 1973-76 and 1998-2001).
The bureau will release its full Annual Climate Statement for 2022 in February.
This report will offer a full analysis and report on the year's rainfall, temperature, water storages, climate influences and more in relation to long-term climate trends.
STATE STATISTICS
NSW (and the ACT)
– NSW overall had 860.24mm rainfall in 2022, as an area average across the state, which is 54.7 per cent above average.
– It was the second-wettest year on record for NSW, after 1950 where there was 915.61mm rainfall.
– The average temperature was 0.13 °C warmer than the 1961-1990 average, while also being the coolest year for NSW overall since 1996.
Victoria
– Victoria overall had 872.70mm rainfall in 2022, as an area average across the state, which is 31.6 per cent above average.
– It was the fifth-wettest year on record and the state's highest rainfall since 1974.
– The average temperature was 0.45 °C warmer than the 1961-1990 average for Victoria.
13°C