Friday, 1 October 2010 - Monthly Climate Summary for ACT Monthly Summary - Product code IDCKGC15R0

ACT in September 2010: Equal foggiest September on record

• Foggiest September since 1951 (= record)
• Above average rainfall - wettest September since 2005
• Warm nights, warm days

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Rainfall

Canberra recorded a total rainfall of 65.8mm during September, which is above the historical average¹ of 52.2mm. This is the wettest September since 2005 (100.6mm) and slightly abover the September 2009 total of 57.6mm. The rain fell over 8 days (average 10), with the most significant on the 4th and 5th (49.6mm) associated with a deep low pressure system over South Australia. A complex low pressure system that crossed the ACT and NSW brought some light falls to the area around the 15th of the month, which amounted to about 10mm for Canberra. The highest daily rainfall at Canberra was 26.0mm recorded on the 5th, whilst the highest daily rainfall for the ACT was 68.6mm recorded at Mt Ginini on the 5th.

Temperature

Canberra recorded an average maximum temperature of 16.3°C during September, which is close to the historical average of 16.2°C. This is the coldest September since 2005 (16.3°C) for Canberra for average day time temperatures. The warmest day at Canberra was 21.2°C on the 21st, and the coolest day was 12.4°C on the 5th. Across the ACT, the warmest day was 21.6°C at Tuggeranong on the 26th, and the coolest day was 0.4°C at Mt Ginini on the 6th.

Canberra recorded an average minimum temperature of 4.0°C during September, which is above the historical average of 3.2°C, but below September 2009's average of 4.3°C. 5 nights dropped below freezing, which is slightly less than the historical average of 6 nights. The coolest night at Canberra was -1.9°C on the 30th, and for the ACT the coolest was -5.2°C at Mt Ginini on the 7th.

The mean temperature (average of the maximum and minimum temperature) for September was 10.1°C, which is slightly above the historical average of 9.7°C. This is the coolest September since 1995 for average mean temperatures.

Wind

Canberra Airport was dominated by west to northwesterly winds in September, forming 56% of winds (during the mornings), and 53% during the afternoons. 6 strong wind days were reported (winds >= 40km/hr), which is about average for this time of year.

Other phenomena

11 fogs were observed at Canberra Airport during September, well above the histroical average of 4. This equals the foggiest September on record (1951), and is the foggiest September since 1951. Canberra averaged 7.8 hours of sunshine per day, slightly above the historical average of 7.7 hours. 7 frosts were observed (average 13). No thunderstorms were observed during the month.

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top