Monday, 4 January 2010 - Annual Climate Summary for New South Wales - Product code IDCKGC35R0

New South Wales in 2009: The warmest year on record

  • Warmest year on record for NSW.
  • Warmest year on record for average minimum temperatures.
  • 4th warmest year on record for average maximum temperatures.
  • 9th consecutive year with below average rainfall.
  • 13th consecutive year with above average maximum temperatures.
  • 13th consecutive year with above average mean temperatures.

Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Rainfall

Statewide annual average rainfall for 2009 was 484.0 mm. This is below the normal of 559.0 mm. An El Niño event contributed to the dry conditions experienced in the second half of the year.

Most inland areas and the southern half of the NSW coast recorded below average rainfall. In contrast, the Mid North Coast recorded well above average falls for the year, with Coffs Harbour in particular flooding five times this year.

The rainfall pattern as shown in the rainfall decile map for 2009 reflects the common rainfall pattern experienced throughout the year. Areas in southwest NSW generally experienced below average falls throughout 2009 with the Mid North Coast recording above average falls in February, April, May, June, October and November which corresponds to the 5 floods in Coffs Harbour this year. August was the driest month with all of NSW recording below average rainfall whilst June was the wettest for inland areas.

The Murray Darling Basin recorded a basin wide average of 400.0 mm which is below the historical average1 of 493.4 mm. The past decade is now the driest on record for the Murray Darling Basin.

Some sites had their highest total rainfall on record.
Some sites had their lowest total rainfall on record.
Some sites had their highest daily rainfall on record.
See a map of total rainfall. See a map of rainfall deciles.

Temperature

2009 was the warmest year on record for the state of NSW. Very high temperatures experienced throughout the second half of 2009 are likely due to the influence of the 2009 El Niño combined with the background, long-term warming that has been observed across Australia since the start of last century. The mean temperature anomaly for the year was +1.32°C above the 1961-1990 average well ahead of the previous record of +1.13°C set in 2007. Every year in the last decade has been warmer than average, and four of the five warmest years on record for NSW have now occurred since 2002.

The generally warm conditions were exacerbated by three extreme heat events in 2009; a heatwave at the end of January/early February in southwest NSW, extreme heat during August in northern NSW and an exceptional heatwave - both in strength and duration - in November across all of NSW (for more information please see phenomena section below). These extremely warm conditions also contributed to NSW recording the warmest winter and warmest spring on record.

Maximum Temperature

The statewide average maximum temperature for 2009 was 25.4°C which is 1.5°C above the 1961-1990 normal. Eleven months recorded above average maximum temperatures; only April with an anomaly of only -0.03°C was cooler than average.

Minimum Temperaure

Minimum temperatures were also above average with NSW recording an average of 11.9°C which is 1.2°C above the historical average of 10.7°C. Nine out of the twelve months recorded above average minimum temperatures with November being the stand out month with an anomaly of +4.61°C.

Some sites had their highest temperature on record.
Some sites had their highest mean daily maximum temperature on record.
See a map of mean maximum temperatures.
See a map of maximum temperature anomalies.
Some sites had their warmest night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record.
Some sites had their highest mean daily minimum temperature on record.
See a map of mean minimum temperatures. See a map of minimum temperature anomalies.

Other phenomena

Extreme heat

A slow moving high pressure system in the Tasman produced a heatwave over much of south eastern Australia, including the southern part of NSW towards the end of January continuing into early February. This resulted in several locations breaking records for heatwave duration. For more information please see the Bureau's Special Climate Statement issued 4th February 2009.

Exceptional heat between the 23rd to 25th of August resulted in many records in northern parts of NSW being broken by several degrees. Mungindi recorded the highest temperature of 37.8°C which is the highest temperature recorded anywhere in NSW during winter. The highest record breaking margin was in Murwillumbah where the previous record of 30.8°C was broken by 5.1°C on the 24th of August. Other locations also broke their all time records including Moree, Byron Bay and Lismore. For more information please see the Bureau's Special Climate Statement issued 26th August 2009.

Daily maximum and minimum temperature records were broken during the November heatwave (between the 7th and 22nd) which also set new records for the spring statewide daily maximum and minimum temperature: 46.8°C at Wanaaring PO on 20th November and 33.3°C recorded at White Cliffs Airport on the 19th. For more information please see the Bureau's Special Climate Statement issued 24th November 2009.

Dust storms

NSW experienced two large and extensive dust storms. The more extreme occurred on the 23rd of September resulting in reduced visibility at many locations. On the morning of the 23rd visibility in Sydney was reduced to 400 metres over much of the city. A thick layer of red dust coated all exposed surfaces with many flights delayed or cancelled at Sydney Airport. The dust originated from South Australia and western NSW, and traversed across the state affecting areas as far north as Cairns. A few days later, strong winds again caused raised dust on the 25th reducing visibility to 800 m at 3 pm at Broken Hill, with the dust extending to Sydney by the morning of the 26th. More dust storms of lesser extent occured in October.

Floods

Flooding on the north coast occured five times during summer, autumn and spring 2009. Major rainfall produced by an East Coast Low (ECL) between 13th - 17th of February caused major flooding on the Mid North Coast, including Maitland and Bellingen. This was followed by very heavy falls at the start of April, causing major flooding at many locations within the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers districts. Between the 19th and 23rd of May heavy falls (although comparatively lower than those in April) preceded by persistent wet conditions, caused flooding on the north coast, affecting Grafton and Kempsey. On the 27th October Coffs Harbour flooded for the fourth time and with little time to recover more rainfall caused flooding in Coffs Harbour between the 6th and 9th of November.

The year ended with the passage of a decaying tropical cyclone from northwestern Australia. Many northern inland areas experienced flooding due to the widespread rain which fell late on Christmas Day and continued through till the end of 2009.

Further information

Agata Imielska
NSW Climate Services Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
Phone (02) 9296 1555
Email climate.nsw@bom.gov.au
Extremes in 2009
Hottest day 47.0 °C at Ivanhoe Post Office on 2 Feb
Warmest days on average 29.4 °C at Mungindi Post Office
Coolest days on average 8.7 °C at Thredbo AWS
Coldest day -6.4 °C at Thredbo AWS on 10 Jun
Coldest night -14.9 °C at Charlotte Pass (Kosciusko Chalet) on 16 Jul
Coolest nights on average 0.2 °C at Charlotte Pass (Kosciusko Chalet)
Warmest nights on average 17.4 °C at Lord Howe Island Aero
16.8 °C at Norfolk Island Aero
Warmest night 33.3 °C at White Cliffs AWS on 19 Nov
Wettest overall 3710.4 mm at Yarras (Mount Seaview)
Wettest day
510.0 mm at Urunga (Sunset Place) on 1 Apr
Highest wind gust 146 km/h at Lord Howe Island Aero on 19 Apr
126 km/h at Cabramurra SMHEA AWS on 25 Aug

Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Record highest annual daily rainfall
Highest daily rainfall
in 2009 (mm) 		Previous annual
highest		 Years of
record
Urunga (Sunset Place) 510.0 on 1 Apr 374.9 on 28 Apr 1963 98
Harwood Island (Harwood Sugar Mill) 275.0 on 22 May 273.1 on 21 Feb 1954 95
Cangai (Smelter Creek) 296.4 on 22 May 193.2 on 28 Jan 1974 53
Dundee (Karinga) 143.4 on 22 May 119.4 on 8 May 1963 51
Carnham 188.0 on 22 May 173.2 on 3 May 1996 46
Wooli Beach 210.5 on 17 Feb 200.0 on 18 May 1977 45
Promised Land (Bellingen (Crystal Creek) 433.0 on 1 Apr 412.0 on 11 Mar 1974 44
Sandy Hills (Tourello Park) 136.8 on 22 May 119.8 on 4 Feb 2001 35
Black Swamp (Maxwell) 134.0 on 22 May 117.6 on 9 May 1980 32
Smiths Lake (Patsys Flat Road) 206.0 on 15 Feb 167.2 on 15 May 2003 30


Record highest total annual rainfall
Total rainfall
for 2009 (mm) 		Previous annual
highest		 Years of
record		 Annual
average
Yarras (Mount Seaview) 3710.4 2881.3 in 1950 54 1695.8
Wittitrin 2142.0 2136.1 in 1963 33 1301.3
Upper Pappinbarra (Hillcrest) 2094.4 1940.5 in 1974 21 1369.3



Record lowest total annual rainfall
Total rainfall
for 2009 (mm) 		Previous annual
lowest		 Years of
record		 Annual
average
Candelo Post Office 351.0 356.2 in 1904 118 743.8



Record highest annual temperature
Highest temperature
in 2009 (°C) 		Previous annual
highest		 Years of
record		 Annual
average
Wagga Wagga AMO 45.2 on 7 Feb 44.8 on 23 Jan 2001 68 22.0
Taralga Post Office 39.8 on 8 Feb 38.8 on 30 Jan 2003 51 18.1
Katoomba (Murri St) 37.6 on 8 Feb 36.6 on 21 Feb 2004 48 16.7
Hume Reservoir 44.9 on 7 Feb 43.7 on 1 Feb 1968 45 21.4
Tumbarumba Post Office 40.2 on 7 Feb 39.4 on 1 Feb 1968 45 19.6
Thredbo Village 33.5 on 30 Jan 32.0 on 24 Dec 1993 41 13.5
Nerriga Composite 39.8 on 8 Feb 39.7 on 3 Jan 1973 39 19.0
Corowa Airport 46.0 on 7 Feb = 46.0 on 3 Jan 1990 38 22.6
Cooma Visitors Centre 39.0 on 31 Jan 38.5 on 1 Jan 2006 37 19.4


Record highest annual mean daily maximum temperature
Mean daily maximum
temperature
for 2009 (°C) 		Previous annual
highest		 Years of
record		 Annual
average
Bombala (Therry Street) 20.3 19.8 in 2002 80 18.4
Sydney Airport AMO 23.4 = 23.4 in 2005 69 22.2
Dunedoo Post Office 25.7 25.5 in 2006 48 23.8
Barraba Post Office 26.2 26.0 in 1980 41 24.4
Nerriga Composite 20.4 20.3 in 1982 34 19.0
Lord Howe Island Aero 22.5 = 22.5 in 1998 20 22.0



Record highest annual daily minimum temperature
Highest daily minimum
temperature
in 2009 (°C) 		Previous annual
highest		 Years of
record		 Annual
average
Norfolk Island Aero 24.3 on 20 Feb 23.9 on 17 Feb 1996 71 16.3
Burrinjuck Dam 26.8 on 6 Feb 26.0 on 7 Feb 1997 45 9.1
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 31.4 on 7 Feb 30.7 on 18 Jan 2003 45 10.1
Thredbo AWS 18.3 on 8 Feb 17.0 on 26 Jan 2003 44 0.8
Thredbo Village 20.2 on 8 Feb 20.0 on 15 Feb 2004 41 1.9
Griffith Airport AWS 30.0 on 24 Dec = 30.0 on 30 Jan 2006 38 10.0
Charlotte Pass (Kosciusko Chalet) 21.5 on 8 Feb 16.7 on 26 Feb 1968 26 -0.6


Record highest annual mean daily minimum temperature
Mean daily minimum
temperature
for 2009 (°C) 		Previous annual
highest		 Years of
record		 Annual
average
Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS 15.4 = 15.4 in 1998 141 14.2
Moruya Heads Pilot Station 12.5 = 12.5 in 1914 131 11.3
Hay (Miller Street) 11.8 11.6 in 2007 127 9.9
Broken Hill (Patton Street) 13.3 = 13.3 in 2007 109 11.9
Tibooburra Post Office 15.6 15.4 in 1914 86 13.9
Gunnedah Resource Centre 13.3 = 13.3 in 1973 57 12.1
Ivanhoe Post Office 12.3 12.2 in 1973 56 10.6
Wyalong Post Office 11.9 11.8 in 2007 49 10.0
Cobar MO 13.8 = 13.8 in 2005 46 12.8
Narrandera Golf Club 10.9 = 10.9 in 1988 37 9.9
Gulgong Post Office 10.7 = 10.7 in 2007 31 9.6
Oberon (Springbank) 6.9 6.5 in 1988 31 5.1
Peats Ridge (Waratah Road) 12.2 12.0 in 1988 26 11.3
Griffith Airport AWS 11.5 11.4 in 2007 24 10.0
Guyra Hospital 7.0 = 7.0 in 1988 20 6.5
Nelson Bay (Nelson Head) 16.1 15.8 in 2007 20 13.8



Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Summary statistics for 2009
Maximum temperatures
(°C)		 Minimum temperatures
(°C)		 Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean
for
2009		 Diff
from
average		 Highest
for
2009		 Mean
for
2009		 Diff
from
average		 Lowest
for
2009		 Total
for
2009		 Average
annual
total		 Rank
of
2009		 Fraction
of annual
average
Western (Far Northwest) (district 46)
Fowlers Gap AWS 27.3   44.9 18 Nov 13.6   -0.8 9 Aug 125.6
Tibooburra Post Office 28.9 +1.5 46.4 18 Nov 15.6 +1.7 1.8 12 Jun 141.0 222.2 average 63%
White Cliffs AWS 27.9   45.4 5 Feb 15.0   0.4 11 Jun 148.4
White Cliffs Post Office 27.9 +1.0 45.3 6 Feb 14.1 +1.5 -1.6 12 Jun 134.9 244.8 low 55%
Wilcannia (Reid St)     45.4 6 Feb 13.0 +1.0 -1.3 24 Jul 208.0 258.6 average 80%
Wilcannia Aerodrome AWS 27.8   45.7 7 Feb 13.1   -0.5 24 Jul 207.4
Western (Lower Darling) (district 47)
Broken Hill (Patton Street) 25.6 +1.3 45.0 7 Feb 13.3 +1.4 1.6 12 Jun 218.8 252.6 average 87%
Broken Hill Airport AWS 25.5   43.8 7 Feb 12.7   -0.2 11 Jun 177.6 244.7 low 73%
Menindee Post Office     46.8 7 Feb 12.6 +1.3 -1.4 24 Jul 162.7 241.3 low 67%
Pooncarie Mail Agency 26.9   46.5 7 Feb     -1.0 11 Jun 230.3 265.2 average 87%
Western (Upper Darling) (district 48)
Bourke Airport AWS 28.4   46.6 20 Nov 13.7   -2.4 9 Aug 464.8
Brewarrina Hospital 28.2 +0.6 46.0 20 Nov 13.6 +1.0 -2.1 9 Aug 558.2 413.1 high 135%
Cobar MO 26.4 +1.2 45.4 20 Nov 13.8 +1.0 0.2 11 Jun 377.6 396.4 average 95%
Lightning Ridge Visitors Information Cen 28.7   44.5 20 Nov 14.0   -1.0 14 Jun 514.8
Wanaaring Post Office 29.0   46.8 20 Nov 13.7   -2.6 9 Aug 306.5 277.1 high 111%
Western (Southwest Plains) (district 49)
Balranald (RSL) 25.2 +0.9 45.3 7 Feb 11.0 +1.0 -1.3 8 Aug 234.2 319.8 low 73%
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 26.4   45.8 7 Feb     0.4 25 Jul 170.4
Ivanhoe Post Office 27.4 +1.5 47.0 2 Feb 12.3 +1.7 -2.0 25 Jul 247.2 300.7 average 82%
Central Western Plains (South) (district 50)
Condobolin Airport AWS 25.8   45.0 20 Nov 11.8   -3.4 9 Aug
Peak Hill Post Office 25.9 +1.5 43.8 20 Nov 13.3 +1.4 -0.7 10 Aug 473.6 559.3 average 85%
West Wyalong Airport AWS 24.7   43.3 6 Feb 11.1   -2.9 9 Aug 433.6
Central Western Plains (North) (district 51)
Coonamble Airport AWS 26.8   43.8 21 Nov 12.2   -1.2 9 Aug 740.8
Coonamble Comparison 27.0 +0.4 43.2 21 Nov 12.5 +0.9 -1.0 9 Aug 745.6 502.1 v high 148%
Nyngan Airport 26.7 +1.0 45.0 20 Nov 13.2 +1.6 -1.2 9 Aug 445.9 443.7 average 100%
Northwest Plains (West) (district 52)
Mungindi Post Office 29.4 +1.7 44.0 19 Nov 14.0 +1.2 -0.6 12 Jun 350.5 504.2 low 70%
Walgett Airport AWS 28.4   45.1 21 Nov 12.5   -3.8 9 Aug 569.8
Northwest Plains (East) (district 53)
Moree Aero 27.6   42.6 17 Nov 12.9   -2.3 12 Jun 539.0
Northwest Slopes (North) (district 54)
Barraba Post Office 26.2 +1.8 40.3 9 Feb 8.8 +0.5 -5.5 12 Jun 631.1 688.2 average 92%
Narrabri Airport AWS 27.4   43.1 8 Dec 12.7   -2.4 11 Jun 482.6
Northwest Slopes (South) (district 55)
Gunnedah Airport AWS 26.8   42.8 8 Dec 10.6   -4.5 2 Aug 423.6
Gunnedah Pool 26.6 +0.7 41.5 20 Nov 12.6 +1.7 -1.0 12 Jun 612.9 617.2 average 99%
Gunnedah Resource Centre 26.0 +1.5 41.7 8 Dec 13.3 +1.2 -0.1 12 Jun 583.0 636.3 average 92%
Quirindi Post Office 26.0 +1.4 42.2 20 Nov 10.3 +1.4 -4.0 12 Jun 583.1 684.4 low 85%
Tamworth Airport AWS 26.1   41.4 8 Dec 10.2   -4.4 12 Jun 599.8
Woolbrook (Danglemah Road) 21.9 +1.4 36.5 20 Nov 6.2 +0.8 -7.5 12 Jun 610.5 778.1 low 78%
Northern Tablelands (West) (district 56)
Armidale (Tree Group Nursery) 20.9   35.0 9 Feb 6.5   -7.0 12 Jun 816.4
Armidale Airport AWS 20.1   34.3 9 Feb 8.2   -5.4 11 Jun 795.4
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 20.5 +1.1 33.0 20 Nov 7.9 +0.6 -5.2 12 Jun 830.1 843.7 average 98%
Glen Innes Airport AWS 20.7   33.5 9 Feb 6.6   -7.5 16 Aug 975.2
Glen Innes Post Office 21.3 +1.1 34.9 20 Nov 8.7 +1.5 -4.0 11 Jun 924.2 858.2 average 108%
Guyra Hospital 18.8 +1.2 32.0 9 Feb 7.0 +0.5 -4.7 11 Jun 838.2 917.4 low 91%
Inverell (Raglan St) 25.1   38.5 20 Nov 7.8   -6.5 11 Jun 565.0
Northern Tablelands (East) (district 57)
Tabulam (Muirne) 23.2 +1.0 37.2 10 Dec 12.9 +0.3 1.5 11 Jun 1460.6 1249.8 high 117%
Upper North Coast (district 58)
Ballina Airport AWS 25.6   38.1 17 Nov 14.7   2.9 12 Jun 1761.4
Byron Bay (Cape Byron AWS) 23.9   31.8 13 Dec     6.5 11 Jun
Casino Airport 27.0 +0.2 41.6 9 Dec 14.4 +1.2 2.2 12 Jun 1213.0 1095.4 average 111%
Casino Airport AWS 26.5   41.4 9 Dec 13.9   2.1 12 Jun 1264.4
Evans Head RAAF Bombing Range AWS 24.9   38.5 17 Nov 15.3   5.7 11 Jun 1765.8
Grafton Airport AWS 26.1   40.3 8 Dec 12.8   -0.2 11 Jun 1462.4
Grafton Olympic Pool 26.7 +0.9 42.5 8 Dec 14.3 +0.6 1.9 12 Jun 1546.4 1065.7 v high 145%
Lismore (Richmond Hill) 26.0   40.0 9 Dec 14.7   4.0 12 Jun 1557.1
Murwillumbah (Bray Park) 26.2 +0.4 39.6 17 Nov 14.8 +0.4 1.4 12 Jun 1845.6 1596.2 high 116%
Yamba Pilot Station 24.3 +1.0 36.1 24 Aug 16.2 +0.8 6.1 12 Jun 1777.6 1459.0 high 122%
Lower North Coast (district 59)
Coffs Harbour MO 24.1 +0.8 37.7 29 Nov 14.5 +0.5 3.1 9 Aug
Dorrigo (Old Coramba Rd) 20.7   33.8 8 Dec 10.4   -0.5 5 Jul
Kempsey (Wide Street) 25.2 +0.1 36.3 29 Nov 12.8 +0.7 2.0 11 Jun 2180.5 1215.1 v high 179%
Kempsey Airport AWS 24.8   37.2 29 Nov 12.1   0.6 3 Aug 1937.6
South West Rocks (Smoky Cape Lighthouse)     36.0 29 Nov 16.2 +0.6 8.0 11 Jun 2036.6 1486.8 v high 137%
Manning (district 60)
Forster - Tuncurry R.V.C.P. 23.0   34.0 29 Nov     6.0 6 Jul 1268.5 1219.4 average 104%
Port Macquarie Airport AWS 24.0   37.7 29 Nov 12.8   1.7 1 Sep
Taree Airport AWS 24.4   39.0 24 Jan 12.8   1.0 3 Aug 1430.1
Yarras (Mount Seaview) 24.7 +0.4 38.1 22 Nov 12.4 +0.7 2.0 17 May 3710.4 1695.8 highest 219%
Hunter (district 61)
Cessnock Airport AWS 24.7   43.2 20 Nov 11.1   -2.1 9 Aug 766.8
Cooranbong (Lake Macquarie AWS) 24.1   41.2 20 Nov 11.5   -0.9 9 Aug 724.8
Gosford (Narara Research Station) AWS 23.7 +0.7 41.4 20 Nov 11.7 +0.7 0.5 6 Jul 1231.2 1322.2 average 93%
Jerrys Plains Post Office 25.9 +0.7 43.5 20 Nov 11.7 +1.1 -1.5 11 Jun 747.5 643.9 high 116%
Maitland Visitors Centre 25.0   43.0 20 Nov 11.7   -0.5 9 Aug 795.4
Mangrove Mountain AWS 22.6   41.5 20 Nov 12.0   0.6 11 Jun 936.2
Merriwa (Roscommon) 24.8   42.8 21 Nov 9.8   -3.5 9 Aug 325.8 591.9 v low 55%
Murrurundi Gap AWS 21.3   37.9 20 Nov 11.2   -1.2 11 Jun 632.0
Murrurundi Post Office 23.9 +0.5 40.2 20 Nov 8.9 +0.4 -4.3 12 Jun 657.7 831.7 low 79%
Nelson Bay (Nelson Head) 22.8 -0.1 34.5 3 Nov 16.1 +2.3 7.2 11 Jun 1254.8 1348.0 average 93%
Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS 22.3 +0.5 40.5 22 Nov 15.4 +1.2 5.9 11 Jun 851.4 1128.9 low 75%
Peats Ridge (Waratah Road) 22.9 +1.0 41.9 20 Nov 12.2 +0.9 1.9 11 Jun 877.3 1244.3 low 71%
Scone Airport AWS 25.1   43.2 20 Nov 10.4   -3.8 12 Jun 600.6
Williamtown RAAF 24.1 +1.1 42.0 15 Jan 12.6 +0.2 1.1 6 Jul 1083.8 1127.2 average 96%
Central Tablelands (North) (district 62)
Gulgong Post Office 24.4 +1.4 41.4 21 Nov 10.7 +1.1 -2.3 9 Aug 502.6 648.0 low 78%
Mudgee Airport AWS 23.5   41.1 20 Nov 8.7   -4.8 9 Aug 471.8
Nullo Mountain AWS 17.2   34.7 8 Feb 8.6   -2.7 11 Jun 830.4
Central Tablelands (South) (district 63)
Bathurst Agricultural Station 21.7 +1.9 39.7 20 Nov 7.2 +0.5 -5.0 9 Aug 528.4 633.6 low 83%
Bathurst Airport AWS 21.2   38.8 20 Nov 7.8   -4.3 9 Aug 524.0
Cowra Research Centre (Evans St) 24.0 +1.8 42.4 20 Nov 11.2 +1.2 -1.0 9 Aug 466.9 628.2 low 74%
Katoomba (Murri St) 18.2 +1.5 37.6 8 Feb     -0.7 11 Jun 1435.6 1399.6 average 103%
Lithgow (Cooerwull) 19.1   38.5 2 Feb 7.5   -5.5 9 Aug 740.5 783.6 average 94%
Mount Boyce AWS 17.5   36.2 8 Feb 8.6   -2.6 11 Jun 1074.2
Oberon (Springbank) 17.3 +0.4 35.2 20 Nov 6.9 +1.8 -4.5 6 Jul 621.6 841.1 low 74%
Orange Agricultural Institute 19.1 +1.2 35.7 20 Nov 8.0 +0.9 -3.5 12 Jun 729.1 912.7 low 80%
Orange Airport AWS 19.1   36.6 20 Nov 6.7   -4.2 25 Jul 713.2
Orange Airport Comparison 19.1 +1.5 35.6 20 Nov 7.5 +1.3 -3.5 12 Jun 665.0 882.8 low 75%
Central Western Slopes (North) (district 64)
Coonabarabran (Namoi Street) 24.4 +0.7 40.0 20 Nov 7.7 +0.3 -6.0 9 Aug 717.0 748.6 average 96%
Coonabarabran Airport AWS 23.2   39.4 20 Nov 12.1   0.2 11 Jun 655.6
Dunedoo Post Office 25.7 +1.9 43.0 20 Nov 10.5 +0.9 -3.8 2 Aug 441.7 611.1 low 72%
Central Western Slopes (South) (district 65)
Cowra Airport Comparison 24.4 +1.3 43.8 20 Nov 9.9 +1.6 -2.9 25 Jul 417.4 588.8 low 71%
Dubbo Airport AWS 25.6   43.4 20 Nov 11.0   -2.6 9 Aug 539.4
Forbes Airport AWS 25.5   44.9 20 Nov 10.5   -4.0 9 Aug 418.8
Parkes (Macarthur Street) 25.3 +1.9 43.6 20 Nov 11.9 +1.0 -1.5 9 Aug 428.2 580.6 low 74%
Parkes Airport AWS 24.6   43.0 20 Nov 9.9   -4.0 9 Aug 458.4
Wellington (Agrowplow) 25.3 +1.0 43.0 20 Nov 10.6 +1.2 -2.2 12 Jun 562.9 613.3 average 92%
Metropolitan (East) (district 66)
Bankstown Airport AWS 23.9 +0.8 41.5 20 Nov 12.5 +0.5 1.3 9 Aug 823.8 875.9 average 94%
Canterbury Racecourse AWS 23.4   41.3 24 Jan 12.6   1.2 11 Jun 910.0
Holsworthy Control Range 24.1   42.0 17 Dec 11.6   -0.5 9 Aug 610.6
Parramatta North (Masons Drive) 24.1 +0.8 41.8 17 Dec 12.9 +0.8 2.4 9 Aug 820.9 962.8 low 85%
Sydney (Observatory Hill) 22.9 +1.2 40.9 24 Jan 15.1 +1.4 5.9 9 Aug 956.2 1214.4 low 79%
Sydney Airport AMO 23.4 +1.2 42.5 22 Nov 14.9 +1.6 5.1 9 Aug 876.2 1082.6 low 81%
Sydney Olympic Park (Sydney Olympic Pk A 24.2   42.5 24 Jan 14.3   4.1 9 Aug 745.8
Terrey Hills AWS 22.1   39.2 24 Jan 13.6   3.1 6 Jul 968.4
Metropolitan (West) (district 67)
Badgerys Creek AWS 24.5   42.9 15 Jan 11.0   -1.3 25 Jul 591.4
Horsley Park Equestrian Centre AWS 24.1   41.9 17 Dec 12.2   -0.6 11 Jun 690.0
Liverpool (Michael Wenden Centre) 24.6   42.0 17 Dec 11.6   -1.2 9 Aug 697.7
Penrith Lakes AWS 25.3   43.3 15 Jan 12.6   1.5 6 Jul 537.6
Richmond RAAF 24.7   42.1 17 Dec 11.6   -2.4 11 Jun 578.2
Illawarra (district 68)
Albion Park (Wollongong Airport) 22.8   41.0 15 Jan 11.8   -2.0 9 Aug 659.6
Bellambi AWS 21.6   40.1 24 Jan 14.9   5.8 9 Aug 958.0
Bowral (Parry Drive) 19.5 +0.7 38.7 8 Feb 9.2 +1.4 -1.9 11 Jun 595.3 927.9 low 64%
Camden Airport AWS 24.6 +1.0 43.1 17 Dec 10.7 +0.6 -2.8 9 Aug 617.2 783.7 low 79%
Campbelltown (Mount Annan) 24.5   42.2 15 Jan     -1.9 9 Aug 513.6
Kiama (Bombo Headland) 21.4   38.3 24 Jan 14.7   6.5 11 Jun 716.6
Moss Vale AWS 19.6   39.8 8 Feb 8.4   -4.4 6 Jul 525.6
Nowra RAN Air Station AWS 23.1   43.0 17 Dec 11.6   -0.5 25 Jul 598.6
South Coast (district 69)
Batemans Bay (Catalina Country Club) 22.1   42.1 17 Dec 10.4   -1.8 25 Jul 560.3
Bega AWS 23.0   44.4 7 Feb 9.0   -3.4 25 Jul 346.6
Braidwood Racecourse AWS 20.2   39.9 8 Feb 6.6   -7.5 9 Aug 441.6
Green Cape AWS 20.2   30.3 12 Sep 13.6   6.3 18 Jul 446.4
Montague Island Lighthouse 19.4 0.0 32.0 22 Jan 14.0 +0.2 3.1 11 Jun 396.6 876.1 v low 45%
Moruya Airport AWS     43.0 17 Dec 10.3   -2.0 6 Jul 450.8
Moruya Heads Pilot Station 21.1 +0.7 41.3 17 Dec 12.5 +1.2 2.9 6 Jul 501.2 953.6 v low 53%
Narooma RVCP 20.8   36.4 20 Nov 12.8   3.6 25 Jul 495.3 909.2 v low 54%
Nerriga Composite 20.4 +1.4 39.8 8 Feb 6.6 +0.1 -7.0 9 Aug 538.1 766.8 v low 70%
Ulladulla AWS 20.8   36.5 3 Nov 13.6   5.7 11 Jun
Southern Tablelands (Goulburn-Monaro) (district 70)
Bombala (Therry Street) 20.3 +1.9 40.1 7 Feb 5.4 +0.6 -6.0 10 Aug 435.2 641.9 v low 68%
Bombala AWS 18.8   39.5 7 Feb 5.8   -4.8 9 Aug 360.0
Canberra Airport 21.4 +1.7 40.0 8 Feb 8.0 +1.5 -5.8 11 Jun 443.4 614.4 low 72%
Canberra Airport Comparison 21.7   40.3 8 Feb 7.5   -6.8 11 Jun 398.4
Cooma Airport AWS 19.0   38.2 31 Jan 4.7   -9.1 9 Aug
Cooma Visitors Centre 20.2 +0.8 39.0 31 Jan 4.5 +0.5 -8.6 9 Aug
Goulburn Airport AWS 20.6   39.9 20 Nov 6.7   -6.9 8 Aug 440.6
Goulburn TAFE 20.7 +1.0 39.7 7 Feb 8.2 +0.8 -4.8 7 Jul 490.8 617.5 low 79%
Taralga Post Office 19.8 +1.7 39.8 8 Feb 6.7 +0.7 -4.9 9 Aug 664.1 802.1 average 83%
Tuggeranong (Isabella Plains) AWS 21.4   39.9 8 Feb 7.9   -6.0 11 Jun 520.8
Yass (Linton Hostel) 22.1 +1.4 41.0 6 Feb 8.3 +1.1 -4.0 9 Aug 602.4 645.9 average 93%
Southern Tablelands (Snowy Mountains) (district 71)
Charlotte Pass (Kosciusko Chalet) 10.8 +1.0 29.7 30 Jan 0.2 +0.8 -14.9 16 Jul 1690.5 1958.0 average 86%
Thredbo AWS 8.7   27.8 30 Jan 1.2 +0.4 -10.4 2 Sep 1139.6 1418.0 low 80%
Thredbo Village 14.3 +0.8 33.5 30 Jan 2.3 +0.4 -10.0 8 Jul 1858.7 1736.5 average 107%
Southwest Slopes (South) (district 72)
Albury Airport AWS 23.3   44.8 7 Feb 9.7   -2.0 11 Jun 476.0
Cabramurra SMHEA AWS 13.0   32.0 30 Jan 5.4   -7.0 11 Jun 1216.6
Hume Reservoir 23.1 +1.7 44.9 7 Feb 11.1 +1.2 -0.2 11 Jun 530.6 690.2 low 77%
Khancoban AWS 22.0   43.3 7 Feb 7.3   -3.5 8 Jul 844.6
Tumbarumba Post Office 20.8 +1.2 40.2 7 Feb 6.6 +1.2 -5.5 8 Jul 855.8 973.8 average 88%
Wagga Wagga AMO 24.3 +2.3 45.2 7 Feb 10.1 +1.1 -2.6 8 Aug 360.2 559.5 v low 64%
Southwest Slopes (North) (district 73)
Burrinjuck Dam 22.9 +2.4 42.4 7 Feb 10.5 +1.4 -1.3 11 Jun 690.3 915.1 low 75%
Cootamundra Airport 23.1   42.0 8 Feb 8.9   -5.0 9 Aug 499.4
Grenfell (Quondong Rd) 23.5 +1.0 42.2 6 Feb 11.4 +1.9 -0.8 9 Aug 614.9 621.1 average 99%
Gundagai (William St) 23.7   44.0 7 Feb 9.9   -2.7 9 Aug 474.6
Quandialla Post Office 25.5 +1.8 44.8 6 Feb 11.0 +1.4 -3.0 9 Aug 430.0 531.3 low 81%
Temora Airport 24.4   43.2 7 Feb 9.7   -4.6 9 Aug 326.6
Wyalong Post Office 25.2 +1.8 43.8 1 Feb 11.9 +1.9 -2.2 9 Aug 454.8 476.4 average 95%
Young Airport 23.1   41.8 6 Feb 8.0   -5.1 9 Aug 569.6
Riverina (East) (district 74)
Corowa Airport 23.8 +1.2 46.0 7 Feb 9.9 +1.0 -1.0 17 Jul 400.9 537.2 low 75%
Narrandera Airport 25.2   45.4 7 Feb 10.7   -3.3 9 Aug 322.2 430.2 low 75%
Narrandera Golf Club 24.7 +1.4 44.4 7 Feb 10.9 +1.0 -2.6 9 Aug 337.4 476.0 low 71%
Tocumwal Airport 24.0 +1.1 45.7 7 Feb 10.2 +0.6 -1.4 8 Aug 298.8 443.8 low 67%
Yanco Agricultural Institute 25.0   44.8 7 Feb 12.1   -0.9 8 Aug 289.0
Riverina (West) (district 75)
Griffith Airport AWS 25.4 +1.5 45.2 7 Feb 11.5 +1.5 -2.0 9 Aug 309.4 387.6 low 80%
Hay (Miller Street) 25.4 +1.1 45.6 7 Feb 11.8 +1.9 0.3 25 Jul 267.4 363.9 low 73%
Hay Airport AWS 25.4   45.8 7 Feb 11.4   -1.0 8 Aug 226.6
Hillston Airport 26.2 +1.9 45.0 7 Feb 11.9 +1.0 -1.5 25 Jul 280.8 362.5 low 77%
Lake Cargelligo Airport 26.0 +0.9 44.0 7 Feb 12.3 +1.4 0.4 24 Jul 189.4 419.1 v low 45%

Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notes

A Annual Climate Summary is prepared to list the main features of the weather in New South Wales using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated. Later information, including data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review, usually published in the fourth week of the month.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 10 am on Monday 4 January 2010. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will 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.

1Averages: Averages are based on the period 1961 to 1990 which is a convention of the World Meteorological Organisation

Normals are long-term averages based on observations from all available years of record, which vary widely from site to site. They are not shown for sites with less than 20 years of record for temperature and less than 30 years of record for rainfall, as they cannot then be calculated reliably.

Further information

Agata Imielska
NSW Climate Services Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
Phone (02) 9296 1555
Email climate.nsw@bom.gov.au