Climate and seasons
Temperature | Rainfall | Seasons | The daily weather forecast is available from the cultural centre phone: 08 8956 1128
Anangu don't go by Piranpa dates, we only go by our own seasons.... We know which fruits and foods we get during our seasons - that's what is important to us
Barbara Tjikatu
Uluru is in the semi arid zone of Central Australia at 131 degrees east and 25 degrees south and is 500 metres above sea level. The weather is extreme, rainfall is difficult to predict and the seasons are diverse.
Temperature
The ocean, which is over 1000 kilometres away in any direction, does not influence the temperature nor is it moderated by clouds. This results in considerable heating of the earth's surface during the day and considerable coolog at night. As a result, this area experiences significant daily temperature ranges. The highest temperature recorded was 45.5 degrees celcius on 17 Februaru 1992 and between October and April, there is an average of 43 days above 40 degrees celcius. High temperatures in summer often cause considerable stress to those visiting the park therefore activitiy is better in the early morning or in the late afternoon. In winter, the overnight minimum often falls below zero degrees celcius and the average temperature range is between 14 to 30 degrees celcius.
Rainfall
About 70 per cent of the Austyralian continent is arid and Uluru is located roughly near the middle of the semi arid centre. The driect region is the arid zone surrounds Lake Eyre, further to the south, where the annual rainfall is only 12 centimetres. The long-term average annual rainfall at Uluru is about 291 millimetres, yet seasonal and annual rainfalls are extremely variable. Rain may fall at any time of the year, however heavy rains are more likely between November and March. At this time of year, large tropical depressions may move across the continent causing heavy rains to sweep inland across the arid zone.
Seasons
Piriyakutu/piriya piriya (usually August/September)
This is when the piriya comes - a warm steady wind from the north and west. Animals breed, food plants flower, fruit and seed. Hibernating reptiles come out and the honey grevillea is in bloom. This is a good time for hunting kangaroo.
Mai wiyaringkupai/kuli (around December)
There is not much food around at this time. This is the hottest season. There is Marutjara (storm clouds) and lightning, but little rain. Lightning strikes can start fires.
Itjanu/inuntji (usually January-March)
This is when utawari (overcast clouds) usually bring rain. During this season the food plants flower. If the rains are good there is plenty of fruit and seed.
Wanitjunkupai (usually April, May)
The beginning of the cold weather and this is when the park's reptiles hibernate. Tjuntalpa clouds start around April but usually don't bring rain. They come from the south, mainly by westerly winds. Tjuntalpa sit low over the hills until late in the day.
Wari (late May, June, July)
The cold time, when there is nyinnga (frost) and kulyar-kulyarpa (mist or dew) every morning but little rain.
Download
Uluru - Kata Tjuta weather (PDF - 242KB)