Rainfall Maps: annual average rainfal

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Mt Lofty Ranges  & Mid North Maps (Click each Map for enlargement) **The colour map on this page represents the authors opinion and is Separate from the interactive map. Data for this map is collected from BOM and Private sites throughout the ranges and surrounding plains and has an interval of 50mm.

BOM maps (B&W on this page, colour when zoomed) have a rain interval of 100mm.**

The Adelaide plains have a reasonably consistent 450 to 500mm (16 to 20 inch) rainfall. As you approach the ranges you will notice the dramatic increase in rainfall (from the 600mm line). This is especially evident as you head towards Mt Lofty itself. Here the ranges are at their highest and the climb in altitude from sea level is rapid. As quick as it increases, the annual precipitation also decreases as you head eastward. In fact, it is uncanny how the rainfall zones represent quite accurately elevation and topography. The higher the rainfall, the higher the elevation, it could almost be a topographical map! 

The variations in annual rainfall throughout the ranges are huge. Take Stirling, at 1190mm (47.6 inches) per year, compared to Hahndorf at 864mm (34.5inches), less than 15km away!!  All in all the ranges truly are an oasis in the driest state in the driest continent on earth.

Special Links

Note the 3 links below!

• CLICK HERE FOR MAPS OF RAINFALL STREAMS
• CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERACTIVE MAP OF THE STH MT LOFTY RANGES RAINFALL DISTRIBUTIONS
• CLICK HERE TO VIEW AN ANIMATION OF MONTHLY RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION FOR S.A.
• CLICK HERE FOR MONTHLY DATA FROM SELECTED RANGES STATIONS.

Mt Lofty Ranges and Surrounds

Mt Lofty Ranges and Surrounds Rainfall Distribution (private map) (Click Map for enlargement) This map has been compiled from official data from BOM sites and "unofficial" data collected by private individuals. (The private data can be viewed from these pages HERE ) As data is incomplete for many areas if anyone can prove me wrong please do so by filling out the website feedback form with the relevant data.

Mt Lofty Ranges and Surrounds. BOM map (Click Map for enlargement) The official BOM distribution. A number of microclimates exist within this broad distribution

Mid North and Central

Mid North and Central South Australian District. (Click Map for enlargement) Some of South Australias prime Agricultural land exists within the small areas of higher rainfall inside the mid north Ranges. Such a narrow finger of "good country" was not missed by European settlers contains many of SA's oldest settlements.

Statewide

South Australia Map (Click Map for enlargement) Take the time to check out the higher resolution map please be patient for it to load. This truly is a dry state. Even that being the case, we have some very productive farming areas. In fact South Australia has some of the best dryland farmers in the world. Necessity has produced efficiency. There are still many improvements to be made. The Murray river still backs up Adelaide's water supply, while megalitres are tied up in personal dams in the hills and megalitres more run down storm drains. Central South Australia at less than 150mm (6inches)annual rainfall is one of the driest areas in Australia. It is still farmed and many of the stations are bigger than some European countries. Water still is and always will be our limiting factor.