Record warmth in the east made 2017 Australia's third-hottest year on record

Australia's posted its third-warmest year on record in 2017, with the eastern half including NSW and Queensland notching their hottest annual readings.

Another relatively hot year across the nation, with
 conditions on the dry side in eastern Australia.

The Bureau of Meteorology's annual report showed the nation's area-averaged mean temperatures – taking in daily highs and lows – were 0.95 degrees above its 1961-90 baseline at 22.75 degrees.

Read Peter Hannam’s story from today’s Melbourne Age - “Record warmth in the east made 2017 Australia's third-hottest year on record.”