Tuesday, 6 January 2015 - Annual Climate Summary for New South Wales - Product code IDCKGC55R0

New South Wales in 2014: the warmest year on record

New South Wales experienced its warmest year on record in 2014, with several heatwaves and persistently warm conditions across the State. Rainfall was well below average in the northeast, and close to average elsewhere.

• Warmest year on record for mean temperatures
• Equal-warmest year on record for maximum temperatures
• Fourth-warmest year on record for minimum temperatures
• Below average rainfall, particularly in the northeast

New South Wales recorded its warmest year on record during 2014, with statewide average temperatures 1.41 °C above the historical average and slightly higher than the previous record set in 2009 (+1.37 °C). Both maximum (+1.76 °C) and minimum (+1.06 °C) temperatures were in the warmest five years on record for NSW, with numerous stations breaking records for one or more of these. The main feature of the year was the persistence of warm temperatures, with several significant heatwaves as well as the warmest spring maximum temperatures on record. Many stations broke daily temperature records during January and November. New South Wales has now seen 30 consecutive months with above-average temperatures, with the 2013–2014 mean temperature 1.32 °C above average and 0.22 °C above the previous record two-year period (2006–2007).

Rainfall averaged across New South Wales during 2014 was 465.8 mm, 16% below the historical average and the driest year since 2006. Rainfall was well below average in the northeast of the State and along parts of the southern border, with totals closer to average elsewhere in the State. Rainfall was generally average to below average throughout the year, with only March, August and December recording substantially above average rainfall while spring rainfall totals were the eleventh-lowest on record.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notable events in 2014

This is a brief summary of major weather events; for more information see the appropriate Climate Summaries, Monthly Weather Reviews and Special Climate Statements.

Heatwaves and Bushfires

• 1–3 January: Severe heat broke records in northern NSW by large margins, with 49.1 °C at Walgett the warmest temperature anywhere in NSW since 1939; this was part of an intense heatwave in central and eastern Australia.
• 14–18 January: Prolonged heat broke records for consecutive hot days in southern NSW during one of southeast Australia's most significant heatwaves, with widespread fires including five houses destroyed near Wagga Wagga.
• 28 January – 3 February: Further heat in southern NSW, including record high February temperatures at Cooma.
• 14–27 May: An exceptionally prolonged autumn warm spell across much of NSW, including Sydney, Moruya and Gunnedah.
• 21–31 October: Record-breaking daytime temperatures and consecutive days above 35 °C across much of NSW; contributed to the warmest October on record.
• 14–15 November: Record-breaking November maximum temperatures, reaching 45.8 °C at Bourke, resulting in more than 7000 flying fox deaths in northern NSW as well as widespread fires.
• 20–24 November: Record-breaking daily maximum temperatures and hot spells, particularly in the northeast.

Heavy rain and flooding

• 24–27 March: Heavy rain across the east coast, with widespread flooding and part of a train track washed away at Oak Flats.
• 17–19 August: An East Coast Low caused heavy rain on the central and south coasts, with 2-day totals of up to 304 mm at Robertson.
• 26–28 August: Heavy rain and minor flooding on the north coast, with two-day totals of up to 248.6 mm at Ballina.
• 14–15 October: An East Coast Low caused heavy rain, strong winds and high seas on the southern half of the coast, with more than 80 flood rescues including a passenger train trapped by floodwaters.

Thunderstorms and strong winds

There were numerous severe thunderstorms across the state during 2014, with particularly high levels of thunderstorm activity during March, November and December. Some notable events include:

• 5 March: A tornado was reported in the Bega region, with a damage path of 1 km.
• 30 March: Thunderstorms caused large hail and flash flooding in western Sydney, with major roof damage to structures in Katoomba.
• 3 April: Strong winds removed the roof from a hotel in Bargo.
• 25 April: Large hail damaged roofs and skylights on the Central Coast.
• 23–29 June: Two strong cold fronts caused roof damage and downed trees in southeast NSW.
• 5 November: Reports of large hail and crop damage at Comboyne.
• 22 November: Reports of a tornado at Gol Gol, destroying 2–3 km of vines and crops.
• 6–7 December: Widespread hail and heavy rain across Sydney and the south coast, with minor flooding in the Deua, Bega and Moruya rivers as well as localised flash flooding.

Cold snaps and snow

• 16–17 July: A cold front caused snow down to 600 m in the Central Tablelands, leading to the closure of Orange Airport and the Great Western Highway.
• 2–9 August: A cold snap broke minimum temperature records in southern NSW, with an equal-record spell of cold nights in Canberra.
• 13–15 October: A cold snap broke records for cold daily temperatures in southern NSW on the 14th, with snow in the Blue Mountains.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Maps
	Observed	Anomaly	Decile rank
Total rainfall
Mean daily maximum temperatures
Mean daily minimum temperatures

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Monthly maps
	Rainfall rank	Maximum temperature rank	Minimum temperature rank
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

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Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top