Arabic version: يوليو جاف يسجل أرقاماً قياسية في أنحاء أستراليا الغربية

According to ABC News, July was one of the driest on record across large parts of Western Australia, despite a wet start to winter. A lack of consecutive cold fronts and strong storm systems left Perth and the southern half of the state well below expected rainfall levels.

Perth recorded 56.8 millimetres of rain during July, less than half its long-term monthly average of 147 mm. Across the broader South West region, average rainfall was about 39.7 mm, the lowest since records began. Albany received just under 51 mm, compared with its July average of 146.6 mm, while Manjimup was 120 mm short of average.

High-pressure systems repeatedly settled over southern Australia, steering winter rainfall further south and limiting the usual progression of Southern Ocean cold fronts. Clear skies also brought frosty and misty mornings across inland parts of the Wheatbelt, Great Southern and Goldfields. Wandering dropped below zero six times, while Salmon Gums reached -4.4C.

A mid-month warm spell saw temperatures rise about 5 to 10 degrees above average near the west coast on July 15. Jurien Bay reached 26.9C, its highest July maximum on record, and Perth recorded 25.7C, its hottest July day in 32 years.

Cold fronts from July 17 delivered heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds, including 65 mm in 24 hours at Harris Road near Bunbury and 58 mm overnight at Coorow. But the rain did not erase the monthly deficit: Northam recorded 12.2 mm, about 15 per cent of its usual July total and its driest July in nearly 150 years of records. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast a drier-than-usual August.