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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Coast Pulse Hub Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
Giles Weather Station is a remote Bureau of Meteorology observation post in the Great Victoria Desert of Western Australia, serving as a key sentinel for the state’s inland weather and climate patterns. The live forecast above shows current conditions at this isolated outpost, which has been providing uninterrupted data for over half a century.
What does the Giles weather station measure?
The station logs standard surface observations – temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, rainfall, and barometric pressure – every half-hour, with additional upper‑air balloon releases twice daily to profile the atmosphere above the Nullarbor.
- Automated weather sensors feed real-time data into the Bureau’s network, used by forecasters and civil aviation flight planning for routes crossing remote Western Australia.
- A daily radiosonde (weather balloon) measures temperature, humidity and pressure up to 30 kilometres – one of the few such sites in WA’s interior.
- Long‑term records from Giles help track climate shifts across the central desert region.
Why is Giles weather station important?
Located hundreds of kilometres from any coastal site, Giles fills a major data gap that would otherwise leave the interior of Western Australia unmonitored for severe weather and seasonal forecasting.
- It is the only manned Bureau station between the goldfields and the Northern Territory border – critical for detecting heatwaves, dust storms and developing troughs.
- Radiosonde data from Giles is used in global weather models and by the Bureau’s Severe Weather Warning service.
- The station’s isolated position makes it a reference point for interpreting satellite imagery over the Great Victoria Desert.
Can I visit the Giles weather station?
The station is on the Giles Meteorological Compound, part of the remote Giles Airbase. Access is restricted to staff and authorised personnel; no public visiting hours are available. The nearest town is Warburton, 170 kilometres south.
How does Giles compare to other inland weather stations?
Giles is one of the few manned sites on the BOM network in central WA, offering regular radiosonde launches that unmanned automatic stations cannot provide. Its data is distinct from coastal sites like Perth or Broome.
What is the climate like at Giles?
Hot desert climate with summer highs often above 40°C and mild winters. Annual rainfall averages around 250 mm, falling mainly from summer thunderstorms. Frost can occur July–August.
Sources
For broader coverage of Australia’s weather, visit our Australia weather hub, check conditions in Perth on the west coast, or stay alert with severe weather warnings. Giles weather station map references show the site at 24°S 128°E, while job vacancies for remote Bureau stations occasionally arise – see the BOM careers page for details. The station’s phone number is not public, but general enquiries can be directed through the Bureau’s Perth office.