Ayers Rock Resort
Climate
Uluru is situated near the centre of a semi-arid desert, which most people would associate with a hot and dry climate. However, it surprises - in that the temperature can vary so dramatically. Temperatures can range from 5° C in July to 37° C in January.
What classifies a desert is the amount of rainfall it receives. On average Uluru-Kata Tjuta receives approximately 308mm (12 inches) per year. Not much at all. So you should consider it lucky if you get to see Uluru in the rain.
Temperature Range
Average maximum temperatures:
37.8°C (100°F) in January and 20.2°C in July
Highest temperature recorded: 45.5°C (114°F) in February 1992 and that was in the shade! In the sun it was much hotter.
Average minimum temperatures:
4.7°C (40°F) in July and 22.3°C (72°F) in January
Lowest temperature recorded: minus 4°C (25°F) in July 2001 (on a winter's night).
Water and Rain
Australia is a dry continent. About 70% of it is arid or semi-arid, receiving less than 500mm (about two inches) of rain per year, and most years it's less than 250mm).
Uluru-Kata Tjuta averages 308mm (about 12 inches) rain each year. Uluru-Kata Tjuta is a long way from the coast where most rain originates, and there are only a few large mountains in Central Australia to generate rain.
Where cyclones are good news
The rain that does fall is very unpredictable. Rain can fall any time in the year. Sometimes rain falls in winter when low pressure troughs moving across southern Australia extend north to Uluru to produce cold weather and occasional widespread rain. More rain falls in summer. This is usually from tropical depressions or ex-cyclones that have petered out after crossing the northern Australian coastline.
The desert welcomes any rain.
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