The Bureau of Meteorology has released the Annual Climate Statement 2025, confirming that annual maximum and minimum temperatures were above average across most of the country, with varied rainfall totals last year.
This follows the release of the preliminary key summary in January 2026 and provides the Bureau's official record temperature, rainfall, water resources, oceans, atmosphere and notable weather events for Australia in 2025.
Temperature
In 2025, Australia recorded its fourth‑warmest year on record, with the national annual average temperature 1.23 °C above the long‑term average.
Maximum temperatures were 1.48 °C above average, ranking equal fourth-warmest on record and minimum temperatures were 0.98 °C above average, ranking eighth‑warmest on record.
Climatology Specialist Nadine D'Argent said Australia recorded above‑average national temperatures in every month of 2025.
"Heatwave conditions affected large parts of the country between January and March, and again from October to December," Ms D'Argent said.
"January, February, March and October were within the top 5 warmest on record for their respective months, and it was the warmest March on record.
"This continues the warming trend over recent decades as observed in State of the Climate 2024.
"The warming in Australia is consistent with global trends, with the degree of warming similar to the overall average across the world's land areas.
"While minimum temperatures were mostly above average, some areas observed cooler than average minimum temperatures during winter."
Rainfall
Nationally, Australia received 503 mm of rainfall in 2025, around 8% above average.
"Northern Australia saw above‑average rainfall for the 2024-25 wet season (October to April), despite a dry January caused by a late monsoon onset," Ms D'Argent said.
"The start of the 2025-26 wet season (October to December) was also wetter than average due to Tropical Cyclones Fina and Hayley and the arrival of the monsoon from mid‑December.
"For southern Australia, cool‑season rainfall (April-October) was generally below average, with some areas experiencing rainfall in the lowest 10% of all years."
Water resources
"Australia's total surface water storage continued to decline in 2025, falling 5% over the year to reach 68% of accessible capacity by year's end," Ms D'Argent said.
"The Murray-Darling Basin recorded a more substantial reduction, with storage levels dropping 14% to 62% of accessible capacity."
Surface water availability increased in pockets of northern New South Wales and the Menindee Lakes in the far west of the state following above‑average local rainfall.
Soil moisture was below average across much of southern Australia, while remaining above average through northern Australia and coastal New South Wales.
Oceans and atmosphere
"Sea surface temperatures across the Australian region in 2025 were the warmest on record for the second consecutive year, reaching 0.93 °C above average. The previous record was set in 2024," Ms D'Argent said.
"In Antarctica, sea‑ice extent remained historically low, ranking fourth lowest for summer and third lowest for winter."
Annual Climate Statement 2025
The full Annual Climate Statement, including state and territory information, is available on the Bureau's website.
