Wednesday, 6 January 2016 - Annual Climate Summary for Canberra - Product code IDCKGC55L0

Canberra in 2015: A year of contrasts with frosty nights and spring heat

2015 was the equal seventh-warmest year on record for mean daytime temperatures in Canberra. While both rainfall and minimum temperatures were close to average for the year, there was large variability from month to month.

• Equal seventh-warmest mean maximum temperatures on record
• Persistent warmth, but average number of days above 35 °C
• Average nights, but cool March and September
• Close to average rainfall

Daytime temperatures were well above average in the ACT during 2015, with Canberra Airport recording mean maximum temperatures 1.4 °C above average, the equal seventh-warmest year on record. Daytime temperatures were particularly warm during spring, which was the third-warmest on record, with several significant heatwaves and the warmest October on record. There were 122 days that reached at least 25 °C during the year, well above the average of 89 days. Two days exceeded 31 °C during early October, the earliest days that warm on record. However, only five days reached at least 35 °C (the average is six days), with very few hot days in summer 2014-15.

In contrast, the mean minimum temperature in Canberra for 2015 was equal to the historical average. Several months recorded well below average minimum temperatures, including the coldest March nights since 1984 and the coldest September nights since 1994. Temperatures dropped below -5 °C on nine nights (the average is seven nights), reaching -7.0 °C on 2 June, the coldest June night since 2000. However, some months recorded well above average minimum temperatures, particularly during late spring. The mean temperature for Canberra was consequently 0.7 °C above the historical average.

Rainfall was slightly below average during 2015. Canberra Airport recorded more than 10 mm of rain on 17 days, close to the historical average of 19 days. There were three days with more than 25 mm recorded at the Airport, with heavy rainfall associated with an East Coast Low on 8 April bringing 53.2 mm. Elsewhere in the ACT, Tuggeranong recorded 51 mm on 11 January and Torrens recorded an August record of 40 mm on 2 August, while a storm on 5 November caused up to 40 mm at the Botanical Gardens and localised flash flooding. However, there were also several very dry months, including the eighth-driest September on record.

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notable events in 2015

This is a brief list of major weather events; for more information see the appropriate Monthly Climate Summaries.

• An East Coast Low caused heavy rain in the ACT on 8 April, which was the wettest April day since 1988 at the airport (53.2 mm) and the wettest April day on record at Tharwa (90.2 mm).
• Mt Ginini recorded 15 cm of snow on 12 July, while light snowfall was reported in Canberra city on 12 August.
• A minimum temperature of -7.0 °C on 2 June was the coldest June night since 2000.
• A significant heatwave broke records with two consecutive days above 31 °C on 5-6 October and 21 consecutive nights above 5 °C on 4-24 October.

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top