(Australian Associated Press)

NOTABLE WEATHER EVENTS DURING 2015:

* Seven tropical cyclones – Cyclone Marcia strongest at landfall (category 5, near Yeppoon, February 20)

* Severe thunderstorms cause widespread damage in Melbourne, February 28

* Record autumn hot spell across large parts of northern and central Australia during March

* East Coast Low causes severe weather and flooding throughout Sydney, Hunter and Central Coast regions of NSW, April 20-23

* Significant cold front over southeastern Australia – snow falls on Great Dividing Range in southern Queensland, July 11-17

* Significant bushfires: Sampson Flat (SA) in January, Lancefield (Vic) and Port Lincoln (SA) in October, Esperance (WA) in mid-November, Pinery (SA) in late November, and near Lorne (Vic) in late December

* Tornado causes significant damage in Sydney’s southern suburbs, December 16.

Source: Bureau of Meteorology annual climate statement