Australia’s coolest year in a decade still warmer than average, Bureau of Meteorology reports

In its annual climate statement, BoM says contrasting weather conditions in the country's 19th warmest year on record included long heatwaves and widespread flooding

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Download the free Guardian app; get our morning email briefing

Australia's mean temperature last year was 0.56C warmer than the long-term average despite 2021 being the country's coolest year in a decade.

It was a year of contrasting weather and climate conditions, the Bureau of Meteorology said in its annual climate statement, with long-running heatwaves in northern Australia and widespread flooding in eastern states, in part due to a La Nina event.

Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning