Climate
Mt Gibson Sanctuary
Mt Gibson has a semi-arid climate with hot dry summers and mild wet winters. Summer temperatures range between 19 - 36oC, and winter temperatures between 6 - 18oC. There are 9 - 11 months of dry weather with an annual rainfall of 250 – 300 mm. Approximately two-thirds of the annual rainfall arrives as gentle soaking rains in winter as a result of southern low pressure systems and associated cold fronts. Summer rain occurs as occasional thundery showers and more irregularly from tropical cyclones, or rain bearing depressions.
As for most semi-arid areas of Australia, evapotranspiration rates are considerably higher than rainfall and is the single most important factor contributing to water loss in these systems. The yearly average evaporation rate for the Paynes Find region is 2,480 mm.