Australia has recorded its third warmest year on record, with 2014 characterised by increased bushfires, heatwaves and a notable reduction in cold weather, according to a new report.

The release of the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BoM) Annual Climate Statement confirms last year was the third-warmest since records began in 1910, with temperatures well above the long-term average.

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Neil Plummer, BoM Assistant Director for Climate Information Services, said temperatures across Australia in 2014 were higher than normal.

“Much of Australia experienced temperatures very much above average in 2014, with mean temperatures 0.91°C above the long-term average,” Mr Plummer said.

“This follows the warmest year on record in 2013, which was 1.20°C warmer than average.”

According to the report, eastern Australia experienced drier and warmer conditions with “El Niño-like effects”, while central Australia experienced severe tropical cyclones and a prolonged monsoon season.

Sea surface temperatures were also “unusually warm”, 0.49 degrees above average.

Rainfall deficiences were recorded in Victoria, inland Queensland, northern New South Wales and Tasmania.

Australian temperatures have warmed approximately one degree since 1950, with the BoM claiming the “continued warmth in 2014 adds to this long-term warming trend”.