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Thursday 1 June 2006 SYDNEY MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - NSW REGIONAL OFFICE Dry, with warm sunny days in Sydney during Autumn Autumn 2006 - Main Points: Very dry Autumn, total rainfall 90.4mm was 5th driest Autumn on record at Observatory Hill. Record dry Autumn in many suburbs including Turramurra, Bankstown and Richmond. Daytime maximum temperatures highest on record. Many warm days during Autumn, 40 days over 25°C was a new record. Sunniest Autumn on record averaging 7.7 hours per day. Lowest humidity on record averaging 51% at 3pm. May 2006 - Main Points: Well below average rainfall with only 40.4mm recorded at Observatory Hill. Mild days but cold nights, especially in western suburbs. Average minimum temperature (11.4°C) lowest for May since 1984. Frosts in far western suburbs, 7 nights below 2°C at Richmond (average 2 nights below 2°C). Well above average sunshine. Autumn 2006 Rainfall: Sydney Observatory Hill experienced its 5th driest Autumn on record with only 90.4mm recorded since 1st March, well below the historic Autumn average of 379mm. Sydney's driest Autumn was in 1888 with a total of only 49mm, followed by 62mm in the Autumn of 1859, 83mm in 1954 and 89mm in 1885. The number of rain days (29) was well below the historic average of 37 rain days. The dry Autumn set new records in many Sydney suburbs including a total of 67mm at Turramurra in Sydney's north, 45mm at Bankstown and only 33mm at Richmond. The historic Autumn average for Richmond is 221mm. Suburban rainfall totals for Autumn ranged from a high of 156mm at Avalon on Sydney's northern beaches to a low of only 17mm at St Clair in the far west. There were fewer thunderstorms than usual during the season with only 2 storms being recorded at Observatory Hill against the historic average of 4 storms. Total rainfall for the 5-month period January to May was only 263mm, the lowest for this period since 1965 when 196mm was recorded. The lowest ever recorded for this period was 141mm in 1888. The historic average for January to May is 599mm. Temperatures: The trend of above average temperatures continued during Autumn with Sydney having its 7th warmest Autumn since records commenced in 1859, and the 7th consecutive Autumn with above average temperatures. The average Autumn temperature of 19.6°C (the average of daytime and night-time temperatures) was well above the historic average of 19.0°C. Sydney's warmest Autumn was in 1958 with an average temperature of 20.1°C. Day-time temperatures were particularly warm with the average maximum temperature of 24.1°C being the highest ever recorded in Sydney for Autumn. The previous highest was 24.0°C in 1958. Persistant sunny days and lack of any significant cool changes contributed to the warm temperatures with only the last 2 weeks of the season showing any significant cooling trend. Autumn had a record number of warm days with a total of 40 days over 25°C, double the historic average of 20 days. The previous highest was 39 days over 25°C in the Autumn of 1968. The highest temperature at Sydney Observatory Hill during Autumn was 34.7°C on 6 March while the coolest night was 8.3°C on 29 May. Corresponding extremes across the Sydney metropolitan area ranged from 37.8°C at Penrith and Richmond on 13 March to a low of -0.7°C at Camden on 23 April. Sunshine, humidity and fog: With numerous clear Autumn days, Sydney had its sunniest Autumn on record averaging a plentiful 7.7 hours per day, more than an hour above the historic average. The previous sunniest Autumns were in 1935 and 1986 (both 7.5 hours per day). Prevailing, dry W to NW winds and lack of cloud during Autumn caused record low humidity, averaging 51% at 3pm (historic average is 60%). Autumn traditionally has the most fogs in Sydney with an historic average of 4 for the season. However, this Autumn only one fog was recorded at Observatory Hill, continuing the trend of below average number of fogs during Autumn for the past 18 consecutive years. May 2006 Rainfall: The monthly rainfall total of 40.4mm was well below the historic May average of 123mm. There were 7 rain days, well below the average of 12 rain days. While some coastal suburbs received falls over 50mm, several far western suburbs recorded less than 10mm. Metropolitan rainfall totals ranged from 66mm at Avalon on Sydney's northern beaches to only 3mm at Willmot in the far west. A thunderstorm during the evening of the 22nd was accompanied by heavy hail in parts of the eastern suburbs and at Katoomba on the Blue Mountains. Rainfall in the Warragamba Dam catchment area was also very light and patchy with 20-30mm recorded over the lower catchment during May and around 10-15mm over the upper catchment. Recent rainfall in Sydney's catchments can be found on the Sydney Catchment Authority web site at: http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/dams/rainfall.html Temperatures: Although May began with well above average temperatures, cooler conditions with a series of southerly changes during the second half of the month brought temperatures close to the historic May average. The average maximum temperature at Sydney Observatory Hill was a mild 20.6°C, slightly above the historic average. At more elevated locations of Terrey Hills and Springwood maximum temperatures were 1 or 2°C cooler than the rest of the city. However, nights were cool to cold in Sydney, the average minimum temperature at Observatory Hill of 11.4°C was below the historic average and the lowest since 1984. In the far western suburbs, nights were significantly colder during May with an average minimum of 5.2°C at Richmond (more than 6°C cooler than on the coast). The average minimum at Richmond was 3°C below the historic average for May with several light frosts recorded during the month. The highest temperature at Sydney Observatory Hill during May was 26.3°C on the 7th while the lowest was 8.3°C on the 29th. Corresponding extremes across the Sydney metropolitan area ranged from 26.6°C at Badgerys Creek on the 7th to -0.6°C at Camden on the 29th.

Thursday 1 June 2006

SYDNEY MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - NSW REGIONAL OFFICE

Dry, with warm sunny days in Sydney during Autumn

Autumn 2006 - Main Points:

Very dry Autumn, total rainfall 90.4mm was 5th driest Autumn on record at Observatory Hill.
Record dry Autumn in many suburbs including Turramurra, Bankstown and Richmond.
Daytime maximum temperatures highest on record.
Many warm days during Autumn, 40 days over 25°C was a new record.
Sunniest Autumn on record averaging 7.7 hours per day.
Lowest humidity on record averaging 51% at 3pm.

May 2006 - Main Points:

Well below average rainfall with only 40.4mm recorded at Observatory Hill.
Mild days but cold nights, especially in western suburbs.
Average minimum temperature (11.4°C) lowest for May since 1984.
Frosts in far western suburbs, 7 nights below 2°C at Richmond (average 2 nights below 2°C).
Well above average sunshine.

Autumn 2006

Rainfall: Sydney Observatory Hill experienced its 5th driest Autumn on record with only 90.4mm recorded since 1st March, well below the historic Autumn average of 379mm. Sydney's driest Autumn was in 1888 with a total of only 49mm, followed by 62mm in the Autumn of 1859, 83mm in 1954 and 89mm in 1885. The number of rain days (29) was well below the historic average of 37 rain days. The dry Autumn set new records in many Sydney suburbs including a total of 67mm at Turramurra in Sydney's north, 45mm at Bankstown and only 33mm at Richmond. The historic Autumn average for Richmond is 221mm. Suburban rainfall totals for Autumn ranged from a high of 156mm at Avalon on Sydney's northern beaches to a low of only 17mm at St Clair in the far west. There were fewer thunderstorms than usual during the season with only 2 storms being recorded at Observatory Hill against the historic average of 4 storms.

Total rainfall for the 5-month period January to May was only 263mm, the lowest for this period since 1965 when 196mm was recorded. The lowest ever recorded for this period was 141mm in 1888. The historic average for January to May is 599mm.

Temperatures: The trend of above average temperatures continued during Autumn with Sydney having its 7th warmest Autumn since records commenced in 1859, and the 7th consecutive Autumn with above average temperatures. The average Autumn temperature of 19.6°C (the average of daytime and night-time temperatures) was well above the historic average of 19.0°C. Sydney's warmest Autumn was in 1958 with an average temperature of 20.1°C.

Day-time temperatures were particularly warm with the average maximum temperature of 24.1°C being the highest ever recorded in Sydney for Autumn. The previous highest was 24.0°C in 1958. Persistant sunny days and lack of any significant cool changes contributed to the warm temperatures with only the last 2 weeks of the season showing any significant cooling trend. Autumn had a record number of warm days with a total of 40 days over 25°C, double the historic average of 20 days. The previous highest was 39 days over 25°C in the Autumn of 1968.

The highest temperature at Sydney Observatory Hill during Autumn was 34.7°C on 6 March while the coolest night was 8.3°C on 29 May. Corresponding extremes across the Sydney metropolitan area ranged from 37.8°C at Penrith and Richmond on 13 March to a low of -0.7°C at Camden on 23 April.

Sunshine, humidity and fog: With numerous clear Autumn days, Sydney had its sunniest Autumn on record averaging a plentiful 7.7 hours per day, more than an hour above the historic average. The previous sunniest Autumns were in 1935 and 1986 (both 7.5 hours per day). Prevailing, dry W to NW winds and lack of cloud during Autumn caused record low humidity, averaging 51% at 3pm (historic average is 60%). Autumn traditionally has the most fogs in Sydney with an historic average of 4 for the season. However, this Autumn only one fog was recorded at Observatory Hill, continuing the trend of below average number of fogs during Autumn for the past 18 consecutive years.

May 2006

Rainfall: The monthly rainfall total of 40.4mm was well below the historic May average of 123mm. There were 7 rain days, well below the average of 12 rain days. While some coastal suburbs received falls over 50mm, several far western suburbs recorded less than 10mm. Metropolitan rainfall totals ranged from 66mm at Avalon on Sydney's northern beaches to only 3mm at Willmot in the far west.

A thunderstorm during the evening of the 22nd was accompanied by heavy hail in parts of the eastern suburbs and at Katoomba on the Blue Mountains.

Rainfall in the Warragamba Dam catchment area was also very light and patchy with 20-30mm recorded over the lower catchment during May and around 10-15mm over the upper catchment. Recent rainfall in Sydney's catchments can be found on the Sydney Catchment Authority web site at: http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/dams/rainfall.html

Temperatures: Although May began with well above average temperatures, cooler conditions with a series of southerly changes during the second half of the month brought temperatures close to the historic May average. The average maximum temperature at Sydney Observatory Hill was a mild 20.6°C, slightly above the historic average. At more elevated locations of Terrey Hills and Springwood maximum temperatures were 1 or 2°C cooler than the rest of the city. However, nights were cool to cold in Sydney, the average minimum temperature at Observatory Hill of 11.4°C was below the historic average and the lowest since 1984. In the far western suburbs, nights were significantly colder during May with an average minimum of 5.2°C at Richmond (more than 6°C cooler than on the coast). The average minimum at Richmond was 3°C below the historic average for May with several light frosts recorded during the month.

The highest temperature at Sydney Observatory Hill during May was 26.3°C on the 7th while the lowest was 8.3°C on the 29th. Corresponding extremes across the Sydney metropolitan area ranged from 26.6°C at Badgerys Creek on the 7th to -0.6°C at Camden on the 29th.

Climate summary for Sydney, May and Autumn 2006

	Sydney Observatory Hill (Elev 39m)
	May			Autumn
	2006	Historic average	2005	2006	Historic average	2005
Average maximum temperature (°C)	20.6	20.3	21.2	24.1	22.9	23.5
Average minimum temperature (°C)	11.4	12.0	12.2	15.1	15.1	15.2
Mean temperature (°C)	16.0	16.1	16.7	19.6	19.0	19.3
Monthly rainfall (mm)	40.4	122.8#	48.4	90.4	379.3	235.4
Number of rain days	7	12	8	29	37	28
Average daily sunshine (hours)	7.2	6.0	6.8	7.7	6.6	7.1
Average relative humidity at 3pm (%)	51	58	57	51	60	60
Number of thunderstorms	1	1	0	2	4	3
Number of windy days	1	3	5	5	10	10

# Median May rainfall is 91mm.

Climate averages for Sydney are available, here.

Climate summary for Sydney metropolitan and lower Blue Mountains, May 2006

	Parramatta (Elev 55m)		Richmond (Elev 19m)		Camden (Elev 79m)		Terrey Hills # (Elev199m)	Springwood # (Elev 362m)
	May 2006	Historic average	May 2006	Historic average	May 2006	Historic average	May 2006	May 2006
Average maximum temperature (°C)	20.9	20.4	20.5	20.4	20.9	20.4	19.0	19.3
Average minimum temperature (°C)	8.5	10.1	5.2	8.2	5.3	7.3	9.7	7.2
Mean temperature (°C)	14.7	15.3	12.9	14.3	13.1	13.9	14.3	13.3
Monthly rainfall (mm)	12.0	75.9	6.0	58.8	18.6	61.9	43.2	13.6
Number of rain days	8	10	8	9	6	9	11	9

# new station, historic averages not yet available

Daily Extremes for May - Sydney metropolitan and lower Blue Mountains

	Observatory Hill (CBD)		Parramatta		Richmond		Terrey Hills #	Springwood #
	May 2006	All years	May 2006	All years	May 2006	All years	May 2006	May 2006
Highest temperature (°C) and date Warmest day	26.3 (7th)	30.0 (1919)	26.0 (7th)	29.2 (1994)	26.3 (7th)	30.0 (1958)	25.0 (7th)	24.0 (5th)
Lowest temperature (°C) and date Coldest night	8.3 (29th)	4.4 (1862)	4.6 (9th)	1.4 (1999)	-0.5 (9th)	-2.4 (1982)	4.6 (9th)	3.4 (8th,29th)
Lowest maximum temperature (°C) and date Coldest day	15.1 (23rd)	11.3 (1904)	16.0 (23rd)	12.5 (1984)	15.9 (15th)	12.2 (1964)	14.1 (23rd)	13.5 (30th)
Wettest day (mm) and date	25.8 (15th)	212.3 (1889	3.0 (23rd)	153.8 (1988)	2.2 (24th)	137.9 (1953)	30.4 (15th)	4.8 (15th)
Maximum wind gust (km/h) and date	WSW @ 72 (7th)*	WSW @ 135 (1971)	-	-	SW @ 70 (7th)	WSW @ 96 (1965)	NW @ 65 (7th)	-

* recorded at Sydney Airport # new station, historic averages not yet available

This statement has been prepared based on information available at noon on 1/6/06. Although every effort has been made to check them, it is possible that results may change as new information becomes available.

A note about deciles: Deciles are used to give an element (in this case rainfall or temperature) a ranking. Deciles are calculated by arranging the totals in ascending order (from lowest to highest) then splitting them into 10 equal groups (thus the groups are called deciles). The first group would be in decile range one, the second group in decile range two, etc up to the highest annual totals (highest 10 per cent) being in decile range 10.

Averages: Historic average temperatures are based on the period 1961 to 1990 which is a convention of the World Meteorological Organisation.

Further information: Contact Mike De Salis 02 9296 1555, email: reqnsw@bom.gov.au

A directory of Bureau services is available on poll fax: 1800 630 100

The latest rainfall and temperature maps are available here
Climate averages for New South Wales localities are available here
Daily Weather Observations for selected New South Wales localities are available here

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