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Monday 03 May 2010 MEDIA RELEASE Record warmth for Victoria and TasmaniaBoth Victoria and Tasmania have just recorded their warmest 12 month period since records began. Victoria’s mean temperature during the 12 months to the end of April was 15.36°C, passing the previous record of 15.25°C set between February 2007 and January 2008. Likewise, Tasmania recorded a mean temperature from May 2009 to April 2010 of 11.43°C, passing its previous record of 11.34°C set between May 1988 and April 1989. Temperatures have been consistently above average throughout the 12 month period. Victoria was warmer than normal in all 12 months, while Tasmania recorded above average temperatures in all but one month, October being the exception. November 2009 was exceptionally warm in both states. In Victoria, it was 4.36°C above the mean, while in Tasmania it was 2.43°C above the mean. Both daytime maximum and overnight minimum temperatures contributed to the record warm period. In Victoria daytime maximum temperatures were 1.43°C above average, and overnight minima 1.08°C above average, while the corresponding Tasmania temperatures were 1.36°C and 0.81°C above average respectively. The lack of cool weather over the summer and early autumn was particularly notable for both states. In Melbourne the daily maximum temperature was above 20°C for 123 consecutive days - from December 8 until April 10, exceeding the previous record of 78 consecutive days above 20°C by a large margin, Similar new records were set in Tasmania at Hobart (105 days above 17°C) and Launceston Airport (104 days above 18°C). The Australia-wide mean temperature for the 12 months to April 30 has been 22.69°C, 0.88°C above the long term average. Only twice previously has the Australia-wide mean been higher, in 1997-98 and 2005-06. The record 12-month temperatures in Victoria and Tasmania are consistent with the long-term warming trend in Australian and global temperatures. Both states have warmed by approximately 0.7°C since 1950. Contacts for further information |