Climate trends - South West
The South West region extends inland to Kalgoorlie and north to Shark Bay and includes Perth, Geraldton, Esperance and the wheatbelt. Most of this region has a wet winter and dry summer with some summer rainfall in the eastern portion.
Past observations
The South West has been getting drier since the 1960s. May–July rainfall has reduced by around 19 per cent since 1970.
Future climate projections
Over 90 per cent of global climate models for the South West show a drying trend. Mean annual rainfall for the region is projected to decrease by an average of 25 per cent under the driest case at 2050 and 4 per cent under the wettest case.