Dry July for Western Australia as stunning pictures tell story

July proved to be exceptionally dry across large swathes of Western Australia, marking one of the driest Julys on record despite a wet start to winter. Rainfall totals in Perth and the southern half of the state fell well short of typical expectations for what is usually one of the wettest months.

Perth's official gauge registered only 56.8 millimeters of rain, less than half of its long-term July average of 147 mm. The broader South West region fared even worse, recording an average of approximately 39.7 mm for the month, the lowest figure since records began. This starkly contrasts with the common understanding of July as a period of significant winter rainfall for the state.

Atmospheric patterns played a crucial role in this dry spell. Persistent high-pressure systems settled over southern Australia, effectively steering the rain-bearing cold fronts originating from the Southern Ocean further south. Instead of sweeping across the state's southwest, these systems were repeatedly blocked, leading to predominantly clear and settled skies.

The clear skies, while contributing to the dryness, also resulted in plummeting overnight temperatures across the southern half of the state. Inland areas experienced frosty and misty mornings, with some locations like Wandering dropping below zero multiple times. These conditions also provided excellent opportunities for astrophotography due to the lack of cloud cover.