Seasons

Aṉangu recognise five different seasons in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.

The warmer months bring extreme heat and rainstorms to the park, with temperatures often soaring well above 35 degrees celsius.

The middle of the year sees clouds, mist and morning frosts in the desert.

Find out about the best time to visit Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa

Aṉangu don't go by piranpa dates, we only go by our own seasons.... We know which fruits and foods we get during our seasons - that's what is important to us. Aṉangu have their own seasons to define and describe changes in weather and the availability of food. While these seasons somewhat align with contemporary seasons of the piranpa world, they are focused on the feeling seasonal weather conditions rather than specific and exact dates. 
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The five seasons

Itjanu/inuntji (usually January-March) 

This is when utuwari (overcast clouds) usually bring rain. During this season the food plants flower - if the rains are good there is plenty of fruit and seed. The general flow of the weather is from west to east, though storms can come in from other directions, frequently steering from the northwest with an approaching change. Puffy stratocumulus clouds appear on the western horizon and move east quickly covering the sky. About ten minutes before a storm hits, the wind picks up and the temperature drops. 

Wanitjunkupai (usually April-May) 

The beginning of the cold weather and this is when the park's reptiles go into brumation. Fast moving clouds often from the south start around April but usually don't bring rain, these clouds are known as tjuntalpa. 

Wari (usually late May-July) 

The cold time, when there is nyinnga (frost/ice) and kulyar-kulyarpa (dew) on some mornings but very little to no rain falls. Frosts are common during this season when high pressure systems move through the area combining cooler dry air with nocturnal radiation. The frosts cure the grasses, drying and preserving them. These dry grasses feed fires ignited during the early summer. 

Piriyakutu/piriya piriya (usually August-October) 

This is when the piriya comes - a warm steady wind from the north and west. Animals breed and food plants flower, fruit, and seed. Reptiles exit brumation and grevilleas begin to bloom. This is a good time for hunting maḻu (kangaroo, Osphranter rufus). 

Mai wiyaringkupai/kuli (usually late October-December) 

There is not much food around at this time. This is the hottest season. Ngangkali (storm clouds) bring lightning but little rain. Lightning strikes can start fires.