Tuesday, 6 January 2015 - Annual Climate Summary for Sydney - Product code IDCKGC55L0

Sydney in 2014: a very warm, dry year

Sydney experienced its second-warmest year on record in 2014, following its warmest year in 2013, with well below average rainfall but some heavy rain events in southern Sydney.

• Equal-warmest year on record for minimum temperatures (with 2007 and 2009)
• Second-warmest year on record for mean and maximum temperatures, behind 2013
• Second-fewest number of cool days on record
• Driest year since 2005

Both maximum and minimum temperatures were well above average across Sydney during 2014, with a mean temperature at Sydney Observatory Hill of 19.3 °C, 1.6 °C above the historical average. This is the second-warmest year on record for Sydney, only slightly cooler than the record 19.4 °C set in 2013, with both maximum and minimum temperatures falling in the three warmest years on record. Temperatures were warm throughout the year but particularly during autumn, which was the warmest on record for Sydney. The persistently warm temperatures were a result of several heatwaves and a lack of cold days; only 81 days failed to reach 20 °C, the second-fewest on record following 66 days in 2013. Notably, temperatures reached 45.3 °C at Richmond on 23 November, one of only three days so warm on record for any month and almost 2 °C above the previous November record.

Rainfall was average to below average during 2014, with 893.8 mm at Observatory Hill, 26% below its historical average and the driest year since 2005. The rain fell over 145 days, which is close to normal for Sydney, although only 6 recorded at least 25 mm (average 12 days), with most months recording below-average rainfall totals. However, totals of over 100 mm were recorded in southern Sydney associated with thunderstorms on 25 March and an East Coast Low on 15 October. August was the wettest since 1998 with several rainfall events contributing to the wet conditions, while persistent thunderstorm activity resulted in well above rainfall during December.

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notable events in 2014

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

• Record-breaking warm spells on 3–23 March, 10–28 May, 29–30 September, and 20–24 November
• A large grassfire in Kingswood on 1 August
• Heavy rain and flash flooding in southern Sydney on 24 March and 14 October
• Severe thunderstorms and large hail caused damage in western Sydney on 30 March
• A prolonged spell of thunderstorms between 2–8 December, including heavy rain, hail, and numerous lightning strikes.
• Late cold snap with snow in the Blue Mountains on 14–15 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