Tuesday, 1 September 2009 - Monthly Climate Summary for New South Wales - Product code IDCKGC25R0

New South Wales in August 2009
Summer days in winter break records in NSW

  • Exceptional heat broke records in northern NSW by several degrees.
  • 2nd warmest August on record for average mean temperatures.
  • 3rd warmest August on record for statewide average maximum temperatures.
  • 5th warmest August on record for statewide average minimum temperatures.
  • 8th lowest August on record for statewide rainfall.
  • 13th lowest August on record for rainfall in teh Murray Darling Basin (MDB).
  • 6th consecutive August with below average rainfall for NSW and MDB.

An archive of previous monthly summaries for New South Wales is also available, as are summaries for other states and many other climate summaries and diagnostics.

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Rainfall

The NSW statewide average rainfall for August was 10.2 mm which is very much below the historical average1 of 39.8 mm. This is 8th driest August on record and 6th consecutive August with below average rainfall for NSW. Large parts of the state were very much below their August average rainfall, with only some areas (south of the ACT and far western NSW) recording average falls for the month. A few locations recorded their lowest rainfall on record during August (see record tables below). The dry conditions were due to the lack of moisture and a series of high pressure systems ridging over the state, resulting in persistent clear skies. These high pressure systems blocked any frontal system which may have otherwise brought rainfall during the month.

The Murray Darling Basin recorded a basin wide average of 14.2 mm, which is very much below the historical average1 of 39.3 mm.

Some sites had their lowest total August rainfall on record.

See a map of total rainfall. See a map of rainfall deciles.

Temperature

NSW experienced an exceptionally warm August ranking as the 3rd warmest August on record. The average for the month was 20.4°C, which is 3.2°C above the historical average1. The monthly average was strongly influenced by record breaking temperatures between the 23rd and 25th of the month. Many locations in northern NSW broke their August and winter records, with 37.8°C recorded at Mungindi on the 25th of the month breaking the record for highest temperature ever recorded anywhere in NSW during August and winter (see record tables below). The temperatures experienced were equivalent to warm summer day time temperatures. The exceptionally warm conditions were caused by the lack of cold outbreaks bringing cool air from the Southern Ocean northward, as well as lack of moisture and consequent persistent clear skies. A series of high pressure systems ridging over NSW resulted in warm temperatures recorded throughout the rest of August.

Average minimum temperatures were also very much above average. The statewide average minimum temperature for August was 5.9°C, which is 1.2 °C above the historical average1 of 4.7°C. This ranks as the 5th warmest August on record for average minimum temperatures. Warm northwesterly winds and warm sea surface temperatures were partly responsible for keeping overnight temperatures well above average throughout August.

Some sites had their highest August temperature on record.

Some sites had their highest August mean daily maximum temperature on record.

See a map of mean maximum temperatures. See a map of maximum temperature anomalies.

Some sites had their lowest August temperature on record.

Some sites had their warmest August night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record.

Some sites had their highest August mean daily minimum temperature on record.

See a map of mean minimum temperatures. See a map of minimum temperature anomalies.

Other phenomena

Exceptionally high temperatures were recorded across northern NSW between the 23rd to the 25th of the month resulting in many long term temperature records being broken (see record tables below). 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. Strong winds were also recorded in southern parts of the state during the same period with the highest wind gust of 126 km/h recorded at Cabramurra SMHEA AWS on the 25th of August with many other locations recording wind gusts of over 100 km/h.

Further information

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

Extremes

Hottest day
Highest temperature		 37.8 °C at Mungindi Post Office on the 24th
Warmest days on average
Highest mean daily maximum temperature		 25.8 °C at Casino Airport
Coolest days on average
Lowest mean daily maximum temperature		 1.1 °C at Thredbo AWS
Coldest day
Lowest daily maximum temperature		 -3.5 °C at Thredbo AWS on the 25th
Coldest night
Lowest temperature		 -9.5 °C at Charlotte Pass (Kosciusko Chalet) on the 23rd
Coolest nights on average
Lowest mean daily minimum temperature		 -3.6 °C at Thredbo AWS
Warmest nights on average
Highest mean daily minimum temperature		 14.7 °C at Byron Bay (Cape Byron AWS)
Warmest night
Highest daily minimum temperature		 22.2 °C at Alstonville Tropical Fruit Research Stat on the 25th
Wettest overall
Highest total rainfall		 278.0 mm at Perisher Valley Ski Centre
Wettest day
Highest daily rainfall		 58.0 mm at Perisher Valley Ski Centre on the 30th
Highest wind gust
 126 km/h at Cabramurra SMHEA AWS on the 25th

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Records

Record lowest total August rainfall
Total rainfall
for August 2009 (mm)		 Previous lowest
for August		 Years of
record		 Average for
August
Bellbrook (East Street) 0.0 = 0.0 in 1991 121 49.2
Norfolk Island Aero 36.4 42.4 in 1982 115 126.1
Wentworth (Burtundy) 0.4 = 0.4 in 2007 64 27.4
Alstonville Tropical Fruit Research Stat 0.6 4.1 in 1991 47 75.5
Krambach (Tipperary) 0.0 = 0.0 in 1991 39 38.6


Record highest August temperature
Highest temperature
in August 2009 (°C)		 Previous highest
for August		 Years of
record		 Average for
August
Gunnedah Pool 31.7 on the 23rd 31.1 on the 22nd in 1880 122 18.9
Brewarrina Hospital 35.6 on the 29th 35.0 on the 13th in 1946 91 20.5
Norfolk Island Aero 21.8 on the 27th 21.4 on the 9th in 1998 71 18.3
Coffs Harbour MO 34.0 on the 24th 30.6 on the 27th in 1970 60 19.7
Gunnedah Resource Centre 31.2 on the 23rd 30.2 on the 22nd in 1995 58 17.9
Yamba Pilot Station 36.1 on the 24th 30.7 on the 27th in 1970 54 20.1
Coonabarabran (Namoi Street) 29.0 on the 23rd 28.5 on the 31st in 1982 53 16.8
Smoky Cape Lighthouse 31.5 on the 24th 27.8 on the 29th in 1962 53 19.8
Tamworth Airport 29.8 on the 23rd 29.0 on the 22nd in 1995 53 17.4
Glen Innes Post Office 27.4 on the 24th 26.3 on the 19th in 1995 47 14.2
Moree Airport 36.1 on the 24th 31.3 on the 24th in 1995 46 19.3
Scone SCS 29.8 on the 23rd 28.5 on the 23rd in 1995 45 18.2
Tenterfield (Federation Park) 30.0 on the 24th 27.6 on the 23rd in 1995 45 16.0
Barraba Post Office 32.1 on the 24th 29.3 on the 22nd in 1995 44 17.9
Grafton Olympic Pool 36.3 on the 24th 34.5 on the 22nd in 1995 43 22.0
Inverell Research Centre 31.9 on the 24th 27.9 on the 24th in 1995 43 16.5
Mungindi Post Office 37.8 on the 24th 32.8 on the 22nd in 1995 43 21.0
Quirindi Post Office 28.0 on the 23rd 27.0 on the 24th in 1995 43 17.9
Armidale 27.4 on the 24th 26.3 on the 19th in 1995 41 18.1
Yarras (Mount Seaview) 34.1 on the 24th 32.0 on the 22nd in 1995 41 20.3
Casino Airport 36.4 on the 24th 34.2 on the 23rd in 1995 40 22.8
Tabulam (Muirne) 32.2 on the 24th 30.6 on the 23rd in 1995 39 18.1
Kempsey (Wide Street) 34.5 on the 24th 32.5 on the 22nd in 1995 38 21.3
Pindari Dam 33.6 on the 24th 29.5 on the 24th in 1995 38 18.8
Woolbrook (Danglemah Road) 26.5 on the 24th 25.0 on the 19th in 1995 38 14.3
Alstonville Tropical Fruit Research Stat 34.7 on the 24th 29.7 on the 23rd in 1995 37 20.0
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 27.2 on the 24th 25.0 on the 19th in 1995 36 13.9
Murwillumbah (Bray Park) 35.9 on the 24th 30.8 on the 16th in 1996 33 22.4
Guyra Hospital 25.2 on the 24th 24.0 on the 19th in 1995 26 12.0
Lord Howe Island Aero 23.4 on the 25th 22.4 on the 23rd in 1995 21 18.9


Record highest August mean daily maximum temperature
Mean daily maximum
temperature
for August 2009 (°C)		 Previous highest
for August		 Years of
record		 Average for
August
Tamworth Airport 21.3 = 21.3 in 1928 102 17.4
Glen Innes Post Office 18.5 17.5 in 1995 95 14.2
Tenterfield (Federation Park) 20.2 19.1 in 1995 94 16.0
Bombala (Therry Street) 15.8 15.6 in 1982 86 12.6
Mungindi Post Office 25.8 24.8 in 1924 84 21.0
Riverview Observatory 21.4 21.2 in 1995 72 18.3
South West Rocks (Smoky Cape Lighthouse) 22.6 22.1 in 1946 70 19.8
Sydney Airport AMO 21.5 21.1 in 1995 70 18.2
Coffs Harbour MO 22.7 21.2 in 1995 59 19.7
Gunnedah Resource Centre 21.9 21.6 in 1982 57 17.9
Moree Airport 23.6 22.7 in 1982 46 19.3
Barraba Post Office 22.5 21.1 in 1982 43 17.9
Grafton Olympic Pool 25.1 24.2 in 1995 42 22.0
Montague Island Lighthouse 17.6 = 17.6 in 2001 38 16.0
Tabulam (Muirne) 22.0 20.2 in 1995 38 18.1
Pindari Dam 23.0 22.0 in 1995 37 18.8
Woolbrook (Danglemah Road) 18.0 17.9 in 1982 37 14.3
Alstonville Tropical Fruit Research Stat 23.4 21.4 in 2004 36 20.0
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 17.7 17.2 in 1995 35 13.9
Murwillumbah (Bray Park) 25.5 23.9 in 1991 32 22.4
Gosford (Narara Research Station) AWS 21.8 21.1 in 1977 29 19.0
Peats Ridge (Waratah Road) 20.9 20.6 in 1995 27 17.6
Guyra Hospital 16.2 15.2 in 1995 25 12.0
Narooma RVCP 19.3 17.9 in 2001 24 16.7


Record highest August daily minimum temperature
Highest daily minimum
temperature
in August 2009 (°C)		 Previous highest
for August		 Years of
record		 Average for
August
Canberra Airport 12.0 on the 24th 11.4 on the 18th in 1988 71 1.0
Coffs Harbour MO 19.3 on the 30th 17.9 on the 24th in 2003 59 8.2
Gunnedah Resource Centre 18.8 on the 24th 16.5 on the 31st in 1995 59 5.8
Yamba Pilot Station 20.6 on the 25th 18.2 on the 22nd in 1957 54 10.5
Smoky Cape Lighthouse 19.0 on the 25th 18.3 on the 16th in 1965 53 11.7
Tamworth Airport 14.9 on the 25th 14.1 on the 31st in 2008 53 3.7
Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS 17.8 on the 25th 17.2 on the 24th in 1995 52 9.2
Taralga Post Office 11.7 on the 24th 10.1 on the 31st in 1969 50 1.2
Glen Innes Post Office 15.1 on the 25th 11.1 on the 23rd in 1988 47 1.3
Moree Airport 18.3 on the 24th 16.3 on the 29th in 1972 46 5.3
Tenterfield (Federation Park) 18.2 on the 25th 13.9 on the 6th in 1991 45 1.9
Barraba Post Office 16.1 on the 25th 13.1 on the 23rd in 1998 44 1.1
Yass 12.0 on the 24th = 12.0 on the 18th in 1988 44 1.9
Grafton Olympic Pool 17.6 on the 25th 16.5 on the 31st in 2004 43 7.2
Inverell Research Centre 16.9 on the 25th 13.4 on the 23rd in 1988 43 4.3
Mungindi Post Office 19.7 on the 25th 19.0 on the 29th in 1972 43 6.0
Quirindi Post Office 16.4 on the 25th 14.0 on the 30th in 2004 43 2.4
Collarenebri (Albert St) 17.4 on the 29th = 17.4 on the 25th in 1995 42 5.2
Dunedoo Post Office 16.0 on the 24th 15.0 on the 14th in 1965 42 3.0
Armidale 14.8 on the 25th 11.9 on the 4th in 1975 41 1.1
Bowral (Parry Drive) 13.6 on the 24th 12.4 on the 31st in 1980 41 2.9
Orange Airport Comparison 11.2 on the 24th = 11.2 on the 31st in 1995 41 1.4
Quandialla Post Office 14.0 on the 24th 13.8 on the 7th in 1973 40 3.5
Tabulam (Muirne) 20.1 on the 25th 16.4 on the 14th in 2003 39 7.9
Gulgong Post Office 15.2 on the 24th 13.5 on the 26th in 1995 38 3.4
Alstonville 22.2 on the 25th 18.6 on the 22nd in 1995 37 10.6
Pindari Dam 15.5 on the 22nd 14.7 on the 23rd in 1988 37 2.8
Goulburn TAFE 12.5 on the 24th 11.6 on the 31st in 2007 35 2.1
Cooma Visitors Centre 9.0 on the 17th = 9.0 on the 10th in 2007 33 -2.0
Murwillumbah (Bray Park) 18.4 on the 30th 17.5 on the 17th in 2007 33 8.8
Guyra Hospital 12.6 on the 25th 10.1 on the 30th in 2004 26 1.1
Oberon (Springbank) 9.5 on the 24th 8.3 on the 18th in 1988 25 0.3
Riverview Observatory 19.2 on the 24th 18.4 on the 27th in 1995 25 7.1


Equal lecord lowest August temperature
Lowest temperature
in August 2009 (°C) 		Previous lowest
for August		 Years of
record		 Average for
August
Brewarrina Hospital -2.1 on the 9th = -2.1 on the 6th in 1994 37 5.7


Record highest August mean daily minimum temperature
Mean daily minimum
temperature
for August 2009 (°C) 		Previous highest
for August		 Years of
record		 Average for
August
Hay (Miller Street) 7.0 6.8 in 1912 128 4.6
Broken Hill (Patton Street) 8.9 8.8 in 1977 111 6.4
Tibooburra Post Office 9.4 9.2 in 1998 91 6.8
Smoky Cape Lighthouse 13.8 13.2 in 2007 70 11.7
Tabulam (Muirne) 9.9 9.8 in 2007 38 7.9
Oberon (Springbank) 3.0 2.2 in 2007 35 0.3
Perisher Valley Ski Centre -2.2 -2.4 in 2007 32 -4.4
Thredbo Village -0.7 = -0.7 in 2007 28 -2.5


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Summaries

This table is very wide and may not fit if printed.

Summary statistics for August 2009
Maximum temperatures
for August
(°C)		 Minimum temperatures
for August
(°C)		 Rainfall
for August
(millimetres)
Mean for
August
2009		 Diff
from
average		 Highest for
August
2009		 Mean for
August
2009		 Diff
from
average		 Lowest for
August
2009		 Total for
August
2009		 Average
for
August		 Rank of
August
2009		 Fraction of
August
average
Western (Far Northwest) (district 46)
Fowlers Gap AWS 21.6   29.3 15th 6.9   -0.8 9th 4.4
Tibooburra Post Office 24.2 +3.8 31.4 23rd 9.4 +2.6 2.3 9th 1.0 11.7 low 9%
White Cliffs AWS 22.7   31.3 16th 9.0   3.4 9th 2.0
White Cliffs Post Office 22.7 +3.0 30.8 16th 7.4 +1.8 0.2 9th 2.9 15.5 low 19%
Wilcannia 22.5 +3.1 30.4 16th 6.4 +0.8 -1.0 9th 2.4 17.7 low 14%
Wilcannia Aerodrome AWS 22.5   30.6 16th 6.9   0.5 9th 2.4
Western (Lower Darling) (district 47)
Broken Hill 20.1 +2.8 28.2 15th 8.9 +2.5 5.1 9th 12.2 18.5 average 66%
Broken Hill Airport AWS 20.0   28.3 15th 7.8   2.7 9th 9.2 18.3 average 50%
Lake Victoria Storage 19.8 +2.7 25.0 20th 7.7 +1.6 1.0 8th 10.3 23.7 low 43%
Menindee Post Office 21.8 +2.6 29.8 15th 6.3 +1.0 -0.5 9th 8.6 18.1 average 48%
Pooncarie Mail Agency 21.4   28.2 15th 6.6   0.1 8th 11.7 22.7 low 52%
Western (Upper Darling) (district 48)
Bourke Airport AWS 23.6   34.8 23rd 6.1   -2.4 9th 1.0
Brewarrina Hospital 23.7 +3.1 35.6 29th 6.2 +0.5 -2.1 9th 3.2 21.7 low 15%
Cobar Airport AWS 20.5   28.5 23rd 5.3   -1.4 9th 0.6
Cobar MO 20.6 +2.7 28.9 23rd 7.6 +1.4 1.7 9th 0.4 27.4 very low 1%
Lightning Ridge Visitors Information Cen 25.2   36.2 29th 7.2   -1.0 9th 2.5
Wanaaring Post Office 24.6   33.8 23rd 6.2   -2.6 9th 5.4 15.0 average 36%
Western (Southwest Plains) (district 49)
Balranald 19.5 +1.9 25.3 15th 5.7 +1.0 -1.3 8th 12.6 29.5 low 43%
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 20.8   29.8 16th 7.9   1.1 8th 3.2
Ivanhoe Post Office 21.7 +3.1 30.7 16th 6.6 +2.0 -1.5 9th 4.6 23.6 low 19%
Central Western Plains (South) (district 50)
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 20.1 +3.3 26.6 23rd 5.4 +2.0 -3.4 9th 10.7 34.8 low 31%
Condobolin Airport AWS 19.4   26.7 23rd 4.8   -3.4 9th 10.6
Peak Hill Post Office 19.7 +2.8 26.4 23rd 5.0 -0.7 -0.7 10th 16.6 43.1 low 39%
West Wyalong Airport AWS 17.5   24.0 29th 4.6   -2.9 9th 10.2
Central Western Plains (North) (district 51)
Coonamble Airport AWS 21.3   30.2 29th 4.9   -1.2 9th 2.2
Coonamble Comparison 21.7 +2.4 30.4 29th 5.2 +0.7 -1.0 9th 2.9 32.0 very low 9%
Nyngan Airport 21.5 +3.1 29.7 29th 5.4 +0.7 -1.2 9th 2.0 29.6 very low 7%
Trangie Research Station AWS 21.0 +3.8 27.9 29th 5.0 +1.0 -1.3 8th 5.0 32.2 very low 16%
Northwest Plains (West) (district 52)
Mungindi Post Office 25.8 +4.8 37.8 24th 7.5 +1.6 0.4 3rd 2.9 25.4 low 11%
Walgett Airport AWS 24.1   36.1 29th 4.9   -3.8 9th 6.4
Northwest Plains (East) (district 53)
Moree Aero 23.6   36.1 24th 6.5   -0.6 2nd 4.2
Northwest Slopes (North) (district 54)
Barraba Post Office 22.5 +4.6 32.1 24th 1.2 +0.1 -4.8 3rd 6.3 39.7 low 16%
Narrabri Airport AWS 23.1   31.7 23rd 5.7   -1.3 3rd 3.8
Pindari Dam 23.0 +4.1 33.6 24th 3.5 +0.7 -2.5 8th 6.5 36.2 very low 18%
Northwest Slopes (South) (district 55)
Gunnedah Airport AWS 22.2   31.6 23rd 3.1   -4.5 2nd 3.6
Gunnedah Pool 22.5 +3.6 31.7 23rd 5.9 +1.8 -0.2 2nd 7.0 41.3 low 17%
Gunnedah Resource Centre 21.9 +4.1 31.2 23rd 7.3 +1.6 -0.1 2nd 5.0 35.3 low 14%
Quirindi Post Office 21.0 +3.1 28.0 23rd 2.9 +0.6 -2.2 9th 7.6 45.2 very low 17%
Tamworth Airport AWS 21.3   29.8 23rd 2.9   -3.7 2nd 11.8
Woolbrook 18.0 +3.8 26.5 24th -1.4 -0.4 -7.2 3rd 18.5 53.7 low 34%
Northern Tablelands (West) (district 56)
Armidale 18.1   27.4 24th -0.5   -7.0 9th 23.0
Armidale Airport AWS 17.1   26.8 24th 3.2   -3.6 9th 24.4
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 17.7 +3.8 27.2 24th 1.7 +0.6 -4.0 1st 20.7 48.4 low 43%
Glen Innes Airport AWS 17.8   27.7 24th -0.6   -7.5 16th 22.2
Glen Innes Post Office 18.5 +4.3 27.4 24th 2.7 +1.3 -3.4 1st 19.4 50.2 low 39%
Guyra Hospital 16.2 +4.2 25.2 24th 2.7 +1.6 -2.9 8th 21.0 51.2 low 41%
Inverell 21.9   32.4 24th 0.5   -5.7 2nd 10.2
Inverell Research Centre 21.3 +4.8 31.9 24th 5.6 +1.2 -1.3 2nd 8.4 43.6 very low 19%
Tenterfield 20.2 +4.2 30.0 24th 1.0 -0.9 -5.0 15th 14.0 43.3 low 32%
Northern Tablelands (East) (district 57)
Tabulam 22.0 +3.9 32.2 24th 9.9 +2.0 3.9 9th 0.4 37.3 very low 1%
Upper North Coast (district 58)
Alstonville Tropical Fruit Research Stat 23.4 +3.4 34.7 24th 12.6 +2.1 7.5 9th 0.6 75.5 lowest 1%
Ballina Airport AWS 24.3   36.7 24th 9.1   4.4 1st 1.6
Byron Bay 21.3   28.3 24th 14.7   10.5 9th 2.6
Casino Airport 25.8 +3.0 36.4 24th 9.1 +1.9 3.8 27th 0.8 41.9 very low 2%
Casino Airport AWS 25.2   36.3 24th 8.6   3.4 2nd 0.8
Evans Head RAAF Bombing Range AWS 24.1   37.6 24th 11.8   7.0 1st 1.6
Grafton Airport AWS 24.5   36.3 24th 6.3   0.1 9th 1.2
Grafton Olympic Pool 25.1 +3.0 36.3 24th 8.4 +1.2 2.9 9th 5.1 38.3 very low 13%
Grafton Research Stn 24.5   36.2 24th 8.3   3.1 27th 2.2 38.4 very low 6%
Lismore 25.0   35.5 24th 10.2   6.2 7th 1.9
Lismore Airport AWS 25.8   36.7 24th 7.8   2.9 2nd 2.8
Murwillumbah 25.5 +3.2 35.9 24th 9.8 +1.1 5.5 1st 0.4 50.0 very low 1%
Yamba Pilot Station 22.8 +2.7 36.1 24th 11.8 +1.3 6.7 9th 2.2 74.9 very low 3%
Lower North Coast (district 59)
Coffs Harbour MO 22.7 +2.9 34.0 24th 9.4 +1.3 3.1 9th 1.0 79.1 very low 1%
Dorrigo 19.2   29.5 24th 6.3   0.5 9th 3.2
Kempsey 23.7 +2.4 34.5 24th 6.8 +0.5 2.1 3rd 6.3 61.9 low 10%
Kempsey Airport AWS 23.4   35.8 24th 6.0   0.6 3rd 3.2
South West Rocks 22.6 +2.8 31.5 24th 13.8 +2.1 10.0 10th 1.6 81.1 very low 2%
Manning (district 60)
Forster - Tuncurry R.V.C.P. 20.8   30.0 24th 9.3   6.3 4th 2.0 71.7 very low 3%
Port Macquarie Airport AWS 22.4   34.6 24th 6.8   2.5 27th 3.0
Taree Airport AWS 22.4   32.0 24th 7.1   1.0 3rd 5.0
Yarras 22.7 +2.5 34.1 24th 6.3 +0.3 2.1 3rd
Hunter (district 61)
Cessnock 22.7 +3.0 28.6 24th 4.8 -0.1 -1.1 9th 1.3 36.6 very low 4%
Cessnock Airport AWS 21.5   27.8 24th 3.8   -2.1 9th 0.8 34.8 very low 2%
Cooranbong 22.0   28.2 24th 4.6   -0.9 9th 0.4
Gosford 21.8 +2.8 27.3 29th 5.4 0.0 0.6 9th 4.2 73.2 very low 6%
Jerrys Plains Post Office 22.7 +3.3 28.7 23rd 4.5 +0.1 -0.2 8th 3.6 36.4 very low 10%
Maitland Visitors Centre 22.4   29.3 24th 4.8   -0.5 9th 1.6
Mangrove Mountain AWS 19.9   25.2 29th 7.4   1.6 18th 3.0
Merriwa 20.9   28.0 23rd 3.1   -3.5 9th 2.6 33.4 very low 8%
Murrurundi Gap AWS 17.1   23.9 23rd 7.7   1.9 18th 5.8
Murrurundi Post Office 19.9 +3.0 26.5 23rd 2.7 +0.2 -2.7 18th 12.4 61.6 very low 20%
Nelson Bay 20.4 +1.6 27.6 24th 12.3 +3.0 9.0 9th 5.7 104.2 very low 5%
Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS 20.9 +2.9 28.3 24th 10.8 +1.6 7.1 6th 0.6 74.3 very low 1%
Newcastle University 21.7   28.6 24th 8.2   3.8 9th 1.0
Norah Head AWS 20.6   27.0 24th 11.3   7.4 2nd 4.2
Paterson 22.1 +2.8 29.4 24th 6.8 +0.3 1.7 6th 2.0 36.8 very low 5%
Peats Ridge 20.9 +3.3 26.3 23rd 8.0 +1.5 3.3 31st 2.8 81.0 very low 3%
Scone Airport AWS 21.7   29.2 23rd 3.6   -2.6 9th 3.4
Singleton STP 22.1   28.7 24th 3.4   -2.5 6th 0.5
Williamtown RAAF 21.6 +3.0 29.9 24th 6.8 -0.1 1.2 10th 0.2 76.2 very low 0%
Central Tablelands (North) (district 62)
Gulgong Post Office 19.4 +3.0 26.8 23rd 3.6 +0.2 -2.3 9th 11.0 46.3 low 24%
Mudgee Airport AWS 18.3   25.6 23rd 0.8   -4.8 9th 13.2
Nullo Mountain AWS 13.1   19.5 23rd 4.4   0.0 8th 13.8
Central Tablelands (South) (district 63)
Bathurst Agricultural Station 15.5 +2.6 22.6 23rd 0.6 -0.7 -5.0 9th 35.0 49.0 average 71%
Bathurst Airport AWS 15.3   22.5 23rd 1.4   -4.3 9th 30.6
Cowra Research Centre 16.7 +2.1 22.4 23rd 5.3 +0.7 -1.0 9th 11.5 51.4 very low 22%
Katoomba 14.5 +3.4 21.1 16th 5.4 +2.2 -0.4 8th 26.2 79.4 low 33%
Lithgow 14.2   21.2 16th 1.6   -5.5 9th 48.8 58.3 average 84%
Mount Boyce AWS 13.0   20.0 16th 4.3   -0.6 8th 23.0
Oberon 11.5 +1.2 17.7 23rd 3.0 +2.8 -2.0 9th 41.9 75.0 low 56%
Orange Agricultural Institute 12.9 +2.0 19.0 23rd 3.2 +1.1 -1.8 8th 40.9 97.0 low 42%
Orange Airport AWS 12.7   19.5 23rd 2.0   -3.3 9th 51.4
Orange Airport Comparison 12.9 +2.2 19.4 23rd 2.6 +1.3 -3.0 9th 48.6 90.6 low 54%
Springwood Bowling Club 19.7   25.7 29th 8.0   2.8 9th 8.8 54.2 low 16%
Central Western Slopes (North) (district 64)
Coonabarabran 19.9 +3.1 29.0 23rd 1.0 +0.1 -6.0 9th 14.4 52.9 low 27%
Coonabarabran Airport AWS 18.6   28.3 23rd 7.7   1.2 8th 16.4
Dunedoo Post Office 20.7 +3.6 27.7 23rd 2.7 -0.3 -3.8 2nd 4.6 40.6 very low 11%
Central Western Slopes (South) (district 65)
Cowra Airport AWS 17.1   22.8 23rd 2.4   -3.5 9th 11.4
Cowra Airport Comparison 17.0 +1.5 22.7 23rd 3.0 +0.2 -2.7 9th 12.2 47.7 low 26%
Dubbo Airport AWS 19.7   26.4 16th 3.1   -2.6 9th 10.0
Forbes Airport AWS 18.3   25.1 23rd 3.4   -4.0 9th 9.8
Parkes 18.7 +2.8 26.0 23rd 5.7 +0.7 -1.5 9th 11.4 48.9 very low 23%
Parkes Airport AWS 17.9   25.0 23rd 2.7   -4.0 9th 12.4 44.6 very low 28%
Wellington 19.2 +2.3 26.6 23rd 2.7 -0.3 -2.2 18th 12.9 49.4 low 26%
Metropolitan (East) (district 66)
Bankstown Airport AWS 21.2 +2.3 26.9 29th 6.0 0.0 1.3 9th 5.8 49.7 low 12%
Canterbury Racecourse AWS 21.1   26.6 29th 6.2   1.4 9th 6.2
Holsworthy Control Range 21.0   26.7 29th 4.7   -0.5 9th 4.0
Parramatta North 21.7 +2.7 26.4 29th 7.9 +0.8 2.4 9th 5.0 56.1 very low 9%
Riverview Observatory 21.4 +3.1 26.3 29th 8.2 +1.1 3.5 9th 6.6 71.5 very low 9%
Sydney 20.9 +3.1 25.7 29th 10.4 +1.4 5.9 9th 6.0 81.2 very low 7%
Sydney Airport AMO 21.5 +3.3 27.0 29th 9.9 +1.9 5.1 9th 6.0 77.4 very low 8%
Sydney Olympic Park 21.9   27.2 29th 9.2   4.1 9th 6.4
Terrey Hills AWS 19.6   24.6 23rd 9.4   4.1 9th 6.4
Metropolitan (West) (district 67)
Badgerys Creek AWS 21.1   27.1 21st 4.0   -0.9 9th 3.8
Horsley Park Equestrian Centre AWS 20.9   26.5 29th 6.3   0.5 9th 3.0
Liverpool 21.6   27.2 29th 4.6   -1.2 9th 8.2
Penrith Lakes AWS 21.9   27.3 21st 5.6   1.5 9th 8.0
Prospect Reservoir 21.3 +2.7 26.8 29th 6.8 0.0 2.0 9th 5.9 50.5 low 12%
Richmond RAAF 21.3   26.8 29th 4.1   -1.4 9th 6.8
Illawarra (district 68)
Albion Park 20.8   26.0 29th 6.2   -2.0 9th 1.2
Bellambi AWS 19.9   25.1 29th 11.2   5.8 9th 4.8
Bowral 15.4 +2.0 22.3 16th 5.0 +2.1 -0.3 9th 8.8 60.3 very low 15%
Camden Airport AWS 21.1 +2.2 27.1 29th 3.2 -0.6 -2.8 9th 7.0 43.4 low 16%
Campbelltown 20.9   26.8 29th 4.2   -1.9 9th 4.4
Jervis Bay 19.0   24.5 28th 10.8   6.8 9th 16.0
Kiama 19.9   25.6 28th 11.0   7.2 9th 2.8
Moss Vale AWS 15.2   22.5 16th 3.5   -4.2 9th 11.8
Nowra RAN Air Station AWS 20.8   26.6 16th 7.4   2.7 9th 10.4
South Coast (district 69)
Batemans Bay 20.4   25.3 16th 4.4   -0.1 5th 5.6 58.0 low 10%
Bega AWS 20.7   27.7 16th 2.9   -3.1 9th 3.4
Braidwood Racecourse AWS 15.3   19.0 16th 1.0   -7.5 9th 13.6 46.0 average 30%
Green Cape AWS 18.2   24.6 27th 9.9   7.0 9th 6.8
Merimbula Airport AWS 19.7   26.0 16th 4.2   1.0 4th 10.2
Montague Island Lighthouse 17.6 +1.6 22.0 27th 10.7 +0.5 8.1 9th 4.6 53.6 low 9%
Moruya Airport AWS 20.6   26.0 28th 4.4   -1.0 5th 2.0
Moruya Heads Pilot Station 19.9 +2.8 25.2 28th 8.2 +1.7 3.4 10th 2.4 53.9 very low 4%
Narooma RVCP 19.3 +2.6 25.0 29th 8.1 +0.9 4.3 9th 7.9 49.8 low 16%
Nerriga Composite 15.6 +2.2 22.0 16th 0.4 -0.5 -7.0 9th 15.3 56.1 low 27%
Ulladulla AWS 19.6   24.6 23rd 10.2   5.7 10th 10.4
Southern Tablelands (Goulburn-Monaro) (district 70)
Bombala 15.8 +3.1 20.0 23rd 0.0 +0.1 -6.0 10th 22.8 40.1 average 57%
Bombala AWS 14.1   19.3 16th 1.5   -4.8 9th 16.2
Canberra Airport 14.5 +1.5 19.0 23rd 2.4 +1.4 -4.9 9th 37.4 46.0 average 81%
Canberra Airport Comparison 14.7   18.9 23rd 1.8   -5.0 9th 34.4
Cooma Airport AWS 13.1   18.3 19th 0.1   -9.1 9th
Cooma Visitors Centre 14.5 +1.2 19.0 19th -0.6 +1.4 -8.6 9th 21.5 27.0 average 80%
Goulburn Airport AWS 14.8   22.2 16th 1.3   -6.9 8th 27.0
Goulburn TAFE 14.7 +1.5 22.0 16th 3.6 +1.4 -2.8 8th 30.8 52.5 average 59%
Mount Ginini AWS 4.4   10.3 20th -1.5   -6.3 8th 71.2
Taralga Post Office 14.0 +2.2 20.0 23rd 2.0 +0.8 -4.9 9th 29.6 66.6 low 44%
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve 13.6 +0.9 17.5 28th 1.8 +0.7 -4.5 9th 81.0 92.6 average 87%
Tuggeranong 14.7   19.1 23rd 1.6   -5.5 9th 31.8
Yass 14.6 +1.2 20.6 29th 2.4 +0.5 -4.0 9th 41.0 59.0 average 69%
Southern Tablelands (Snowy Mountains) (district 71)
Charlotte Pass 3.2 +0.6 8.0 15th -2.9 +2.9 -9.5 23rd 254.4 207.1 average 123%
Perisher Valley Ski Centre 3.8 +0.4 8.5 18th -2.2 +2.2 -9.0 8th 278.0 235.3 average 118%
Thredbo AWS 1.1 +0.6 6.4 15th -3.6 +1.4 -8.1 8th 127.6 128.0 average 100%
Thredbo Village 6.9 +0.3 12.0 19th -0.7 +1.9 -8.5 8th 236.4 189.1 average 125%
Southwest Slopes (South) (district 72)
Albury Airport AWS 15.1   18.9 23rd 4.8   -1.0 9th 62.0
Cabramurra SMHEA AWS 5.1   10.4 19th 0.1   -5.3 8th 130.4
Hume Reservoir 15.0 +0.9 18.8 23rd 5.9 +1.0 0.4 8th 70.8 76.2 average 93%
Khancoban AWS 13.6   18.3 28th 3.7   -2.6 8th 112.4
Tumbarumba Post Office 12.7 +0.5 17.5 23rd 2.7 +1.9 -4.0 9th 92.4 106.4 average 87%
Wagga Wagga AMO 15.7 +1.3 22.1 29th 3.9 +0.3 -2.6 8th 32.4 50.8 low 64%
Southwest Slopes (North) (district 73)
Burrinjuck Dam 15.1 +1.8 19.2 23rd 4.7 +1.0 -1.0 10th 47.6 98.5 low 48%
Cootamundra Airport 15.4   21.5 29th 1.7   -5.0 9th 20.0
Grenfell 16.1 +1.3 22.0 23rd 5.8 +1.9 -0.8 9th 17.5 56.1 low 31%
Gundagai 15.1   21.9 29th 3.8   -2.7 9th 40.6
Quandialla Post Office 18.0 +1.8 24.4 23rd 4.1 +0.6 -3.0 9th 11.3 42.3 low 27%
Temora Airport 16.4   23.3 29th 2.3   -4.6 9th 8.2
Wyalong Post Office 18.1 +2.2 24.4 23rd 5.3 +1.4 -2.2 9th 8.8 39.0 very low 23%
Young Airport 15.5   21.2 23rd 1.1   -5.1 9th 16.6
Riverina (East) (district 74)
Corowa Airport 15.7 +0.7 19.5 20th 5.3 +1.6 -1.0 8th 41.2 53.1 average 78%
Deniliquin Airport AWS 18.1   22.8 16th 5.6   -1.5 8th 12.0
Narrandera Airport 18.1   24.5 29th 4.4   -3.3 9th 16.2 39.2 low 41%
Narrandera Golf Club 17.5 +1.5 23.4 29th 5.0 +0.9 -2.6 9th 17.9 43.3 low 41%
Tocumwal Airport 16.8 +1.0 21.3 15th 4.8 +0.5 -1.4 8th 25.1 42.9 low 59%
Yanco Agricultural Institute 18.2   24.0 29th 6.3   -0.9 8th 15.8
Riverina (West) (district 75)
Griffith Airport AWS 19.0 +2.5 25.2 16th 5.1 +1.3 -2.0 9th 13.2 35.7 low 37%
Hay 19.3 +2.0 24.7 16th 7.0 +2.4 0.4 8th 10.6 32.0 low 33%
Hay Airport AWS 19.2   24.6 16th 5.9   -1.0 8th 8.8
Hillston Airport 20.0 +2.9 28.0 16th 5.8 +0.9 -1.0 8th 7.2 30.9 low 23%
Lake Cargelligo Airport 19.7 +2.2 27.0 23rd 6.0 +1.5 0.5 9th 3.0 33.6 very low 9%

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Notes

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 10 am on Tuesday 1 September 2009. 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