Australia has recorded its second-warmest January on record, with average temperatures that were just above 2°C above the long-term average across the nation as a whole.

Only January 2019 was warmer overall, with temps reaching almost 3°C above the long-term average in what became Australia’s warmest year on record.

In terms of rainfall, January was relatively dry compared to the long-term norm with rainfall down by 33% on the long-term average nationwide, and was below-average in all states overall, although some pockets of some states got a heavier soaking than usual.

Anthony Sharwood from Weatherzone says when rainfall is below average, that generally means skies have been clear, which in turn tends to point towards warmer weather.