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

New South Wales in November 2009: Scorching heat streak breaks records across NSW

  • Warmest on record for average maximum temperatures.
  • Warmest on record for average minimum temperatures.
  • Warmest on record for average mean temperatures.
  • Below average rainfall for NSW overall.
  • 5th consecutive month with below average rainfall for NSW.
  • 7th consecutive month with above average maximum temperatures.
  • 8th consecutive November with above average minimum temperatures.
  • 8th consecutive November with above average mean temperatures.

Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Rainfall

The statewide rainfall total for November was 35.5 mm, which is below the historical average1 of 44.9 mm. The western part of the state recorded above average rainfall in contrast to the overall dry conditions recorded across most of NSW. The significant falls in western NSW were produced by an upper level low pressure system on the 23rd - 25th of the month.The Mid North Coast recorded heavy falls between the 5th and 8th of the month resulting in flooding in Coffs Harbour for the 5th time this year. The eastern two thirds of the state, except the northeast coast, recorded below average falls. This is the fifth consecutive month (July - November) with below average rainfall. An El Niño event has matured in the Pacific, and these events are usually (but not always) associated with below average rainfall for areas west of the divide.

Murray Darling Basin recorded a basin wide average of 32.8 mm, which is below the historical average1 of 40.3 mm.

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

Temperature

Average maximum temperature for the state was 33.0°C, which is +5.2°C above the historical average1 of 27.8°C. An heatwave of exceptional intensity and duration affected large parts of central and southeastern Australia with many NSW locations, namely Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Bourke, Murwillumbah and many others, breaking their daily and monthly temperature records. The heatwave began on the weekend of November 7 - 8th and continued through until 22nd November. The start of the heatwave was more exceptional for it's duration than intensity with the latter half breaking many daily maximum and minimum temperature records. The highest temperature recorded in NSW was 46.8°C at Wanaaring PO on 20th November which broke the all time statewide record for daily maximum temperature. The statewide daily minimum temperature record was also broken with 33.3°C recorded at White Cliffs Airport on the 19th. For more information on the November heatwave please see our Special Climate Statement issued 24th November 2009.

Average mean statewide temperature was 25.3°C, which is +4.7°C above the historical average1 of 20.6°C. This November is the warmest on record for average maximum, minimum and mean temperatures. Sea breezes resulted in milder temperatures being reported in coastal areas however strong hot north westerly winds ahead of a cold front on the 22nd of November resulted in many coastal locations, such as Sydney, recording temperatures in excess of 40°C. Most of NSW reported average maximum temperatures above 4°C, with parts of inland NSW reporting maximum temperature anomalies in excess of 6°C above the historical average for the area. Average minimum statewide temperature was 17.6°C, which is +4.2°C above the historical average1 of 13.4°C. The warmest night time conditions were experienced between the 19th and 22nd of the month with daily minimum temperatures 12°C above the historical average.

An El Niño event has matured in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.  These events are usually (but not always) associated with above average temperatures in eastern Australia. Very high temperatures experienced throughout winter and spring are likely due to the current influence of El Niño combined with the background, long-term warming that has been observed across Australia since the start of last century.

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

Other phenomena

The Mid North Coast received siginificant falls between the 6th and 9th of November with the heaviest falls recorded on the 7th of November. Coffs Harbour received 98.6 mm on the 6th, 360.2 mm of rain on the 7th and 54.8 mm on the 9th which resulted in flooding in the area for the 5th time this year with the most recent heavy falls (preceding this event) recorded on the 27th October. The wet conditions were due to a trough and moist easterly winds triggering heavy rainfall. Several fires burning on the Mid North Coast were extinguished during the heavy falls at the start of the month. However, dry thunderstorms ignited fires in the Blue Mountains on the 20th November with lightning causing a couple of house fires in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Extensive fires have also been burning west of Torrington in the Northern Tablelands district and northeast of Narrabri. Widespread thunderstorms have been reported across the state throughout November. A thunderstorm with pea sized hail was reported in Katoomba on the 2nd of November. Nearly golf sized hail was reported at Murwillumbah on the 17th, 3 cm hail reported at Mullumbimby on the 18th, and peasized hail reported north of Cessnock on 20th.

Further information

Media
(03) 9669 4057
Enquiries
Extremes in November 2009
Hottest day 46.8 °C at Wanaaring Post Office on the 20th
Warmest days on average 37.2 °C at Mungindi Post Office
Coolest days on average 16.0 °C at Thredbo AWS
Coldest day 5.0 °C at Thredbo AWS on the 30th
Coldest night -4.8 °C at Charlotte Pass (Kosciusko Chalet) on the 5th
Coolest nights on average 4.3 °C at Charlotte Pass (Kosciusko Chalet)
Warmest nights on average 22.1 °C at Tibooburra Post Office
Warmest night 33.3 °C at White Cliffs AWS on the 19th
Wettest overall 546.6 mm at Coffs Harbour MO
Wettest day 360.2 mm at Coffs Harbour MO on the 7th
Highest wind gust 109 km/h at Cowra Airport Comparison on the 26th
109 km/h at Forbes Airport AWS on the 26th

Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Record highest total November rainfall
Total rainfall
for November 2009 (mm) 		Previous highest
for November		 Years of
record		 Average for
November
Coffs Harbour MO 546.6 369.4 in 1996 62 139.6
Wittitrin 312.0 308.7 in 1975 34 117.6



Record lowest total November rainfall
Total rainfall
for November 2009 (mm) 		Previous lowest
for November		 Years of
record		 Average for
November
Cooma Airport AWS 7.0 13.9 in 1984 23 66.7
Lord Howe Island Aero 8.0 26.8 in 1997 22 107.8
Hampton (Bindo) 13.0 = 13.0 in 2002 20 91.1



Record highest November temperature
Highest temperature
in November 2009 (°C) 		Previous highest
for November		 Years of
record		 Average for
November
Tibooburra Post Office 46.4 on the 18th 44.8 on the 27th in 1995 99 32.0
Broken Hill (Patton Street) 44.0 on the 18th 42.7 on the 25th in 1997 96 28.6
Menindee Post Office 45.2 on the 18th 45.0 on the 30th in 1922 94 29.9
Brewarrina Hospital 46.0 on the 20th 45.0 on the 19th in 1944 92 32.4
Nyngan Airport 45.0 on the 20th 44.4 on the 19th in 1944 84 30.0
Canberra Airport 38.9 on the 20th = 38.9 on the 26th in 1997 71 22.7
Hillston Airport 43.5 on the 20th 43.2 on the 30th in 2004 53 28.4
Wilcannia (Reid St) 45.2 on the 16th 45.0 on the 30th in 2004 52 31.2
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 44.4 on the 20th 44.3 on the 25th in 1982 51 28.5
Taralga Post Office 38.5 on the 20th 37.2 on the 26th in 1997 49 21.2
Cobar MO 45.4 on the 20th 43.6 on the 30th in 2004 48 29.4
Glen Innes Post Office 34.9 on the 20th 34.4 on the 19th in 1968 47 23.7
White Cliffs Post Office 45.0 on the 18th 44.8 on the 30th in 2004 47 31.5
Cowra Research Centre (Evans St) 42.4 on the 20th 41.5 on the 26th in 1997 45 25.6
Bathurst Agricultural Station 39.7 on the 20th 38.4 on the 26th in 1997 44 23.2
Cowra Airport Comparison 43.8 on the 20th 43.1 on the 26th in 1997 44 26.5
Yass (Linton Hostel) 39.5 on the 20th 38.9 on the 26th in 1997 44 24.2
Mungindi Post Office 44.0 on the 19th 43.9 on the 29th in 2006 43 32.0
Prospect Reservoir 42.0 on the 20th 41.6 on the 25th in 2002 43 25.2
Quirindi Post Office 42.2 on the 20th 41.7 on the 19th in 1968 43 28.4
Wellington (Agrowplow) 43.0 on the 20th 41.5 on the 30th in 2004 43 28.4
Bowral (Parry Drive) 38.0 on the 20th 37.1 on the 26th in 1997 42 21.2
Dunedoo Post Office 43.0 on the 20th 42.0 on the 30th in 2004 42 27.5
Peak Hill Post Office 43.8 on the 20th 42.4 on the 25th in 1982 42 28.0
Orange Airport Comparison 35.6 on the 20th = 35.6 on the 25th in 1982 40 20.3
Trangie Research Station AWS 44.8 on the 20th 43.7 on the 25th in 1982 40 28.7
Pindari Dam 38.9 on the 18th 38.2 on the 29th in 1996 38 27.5
Woolbrook (Danglemah Road) 36.5 on the 20th 35.1 on the 25th in 1982 38 23.2
Lake Cargelligo Airport 43.9 on the 20th 43.5 on the 30th in 2004 37 29.4
Gulgong Post Office 41.4 on the 21st 40.7 on the 29th in 1997 36 26.4
Cooma Visitors Centre 36.5 on the 20th 34.6 on the 18th in 1980 35 22.2
Paterson (Tocal AWS) 42.8 on the 20th 42.5 on the 27th in 1997 35 26.6
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 33.0 on the 20th 32.3 on the 10th in 1995 34 22.1
Murwillumbah (Bray Park) 39.6 on the 17th 38.7 on the 2nd in 1977 34 27.6
Orange Agricultural Institute 35.7 on the 20th 34.8 on the 26th in 1997 34 20.9
Cessnock (Nulkaba) 44.0 on the 20th 43.0 on the 30th in 2004 32 27.3
Peats Ridge (Waratah Road) 41.9 on the 20th 40.7 on the 25th in 1982 29 24.0
Oberon (Springbank) 35.2 on the 20th 33.6 on the 25th in 1982 27 19.7
Guyra Hospital 31.6 on the 20th 30.2 on the 10th in 2002 26 20.2
Riverview Observatory 40.5 on the 22nd = 40.5 on the 25th in 2002 26 24.2
Lord Howe Island Aero 28.0 on the 30th 26.7 on the 30th in 1995 22 22.1


Record highest November mean daily maximum temperature
Mean daily maximum
temperature
for November 2009 (°C) 		Previous highest
for November		 Years of
record		 Average for
November
Parkes (Macarthur Street) 34.1 33.5 in 1914 99 27.6
Glen Innes Post Office 28.2 27.9 in 1919 96 23.7
Grenfell (Quondong Rd) 32.4 31.9 in 1919 91 26.5
Burrinjuck Dam 30.2 29.4 in 2002 89 23.8
Collarenebri (Albert St) 37.5 37.2 in 1919 89 32.1
Quirindi Post Office 33.7 33.4 in 1919 88 28.4
Bombala (Therry Street) 27.0 26.3 in 1982 87 21.1
Nyngan Airport 35.2 34.5 in 2002 87 30.0
Bathurst Agricultural Station 30.5 28.5 in 1982 86 23.2
Mungindi Post Office 37.2 36.2 in 1926 83 32.0
Hillston Airport 34.0 32.7 in 1908 79 28.4
Hume Reservoir 30.0 = 30.0 in 1982 77 24.9
Canberra Airport 29.0 28.7 in 1982 70 22.7
Sydney Airport AMO 27.2 26.7 in 1968 70 24.0
Wagga Wagga AMO 32.8 30.8 in 1982 67 25.6
Ivanhoe Post Office 35.1 34.1 in 1959 65 30.0
Yass (Linton Hostel) 30.2 30.0 in 1982 62 24.2
Williamtown RAAF 28.5 28.3 in 2002 60 25.4
Gunnedah Resource Centre 33.5 33.3 in 2002 58 28.2
Cowra Research Centre (Evans St) 33.4 31.2 in 2002 57 25.6
Dunedoo Post Office 33.9 32.9 in 2002 52 27.5
Inverell Research Centre 31.4 30.4 in 1997 52 25.6
Wyalong Post Office 33.6 31.8 in 1982 51 27.1
Quandialla Post Office 34.2 32.4 in 2002 50 27.4
Taralga Post Office 27.5 26.1 in 1982 49 21.2
Cobar MO 34.6 33.9 in 2002 47 29.4
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 34.9 33.0 in 2002 46 28.5
Barraba Post Office 33.1 32.4 in 2002 43 27.7
Cowra Airport Comparison 33.4 31.8 in 2002 43 26.5
Parramatta North (Masons Drive) 28.6 28.4 in 2002 42 25.3
Prospect Reservoir 29.8 28.7 in 2002 42 25.2
Tumbarumba Post Office 27.7 26.9 in 1982 42 22.4
Bankstown Airport AWS 28.6 28.1 in 1968 41 25.1
Peak Hill Post Office 33.9 32.7 in 2002 41 28.0
Orange Airport Comparison 27.5 26.0 in 2002 39 20.3
Tabulam (Muirne) 28.8 28.2 in 2002 39 25.1
Charlotte Pass (Kosciusko Chalet) 17.6 16.8 in 2002 38 12.5
Narrandera Golf Club 32.7 31.9 in 1982 38 27.1
Thredbo Village 21.4 20.1 in 1982 38 16.2
Tocumwal Airport 31.7 31.3 in 1982 38 26.5
Oberon (Springbank) 25.1 25.0 in 1982 37 19.7
Woolbrook (Danglemah Road) 29.5 28.7 in 2002 37 23.2
Gulgong Post Office 32.6 31.5 in 1982 35 26.4
Cooma Visitors Centre 27.7 27.4 in 1982 34 22.2
Goulburn TAFE 28.4 27.6 in 2002 34 22.4
Griffith Airport AWS 33.3 31.8 in 2002 34 27.8
Camden Airport AWS 30.1 30.0 in 2002 33 25.9
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 26.8 26.0 in 2002 33 22.1
Orange Agricultural Institute 27.4 26.3 in 2002 33 20.9
Peats Ridge (Waratah Road) 27.9 27.4 in 2002 28 24.0
Guyra Hospital 25.1 24.5 in 2002 25 20.2
Thredbo AWS 16.0 15.9 in 1977 25 11.4
Narooma RVCP 23.7 22.1 in 1966 24 20.5
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve 27.3 27.2 in 1982 23 21.8
Lord Howe Island Aero 24.2 23.5 in 1988 21 22.1



Record highest November daily minimum temperature
Highest daily minimum
temperature
in November 2009 (°C) 		Previous highest
for November		 Years of
record		 Average for
November
Broken Hill (Patton Street) 30.2 on the 20th 28.8 on the 26th in 1997 95 14.7
Tibooburra Post Office 30.9 on the 19th 30.7 on the 30th in 2004 89 17.5
Gunnedah Resource Centre 29.3 on the 22nd 28.1 on the 19th in 1968 59 14.9
Hillston Airport 30.0 on the 20th 28.3 on the 28th in 1959 53 13.6
Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS 22.9 on the 29th 22.4 on the 22nd in 2006 53 16.1
Parkes (Macarthur Street) 27.8 on the 20th 26.7 on the 18th in 1980 53 13.4
Nyngan Airport 29.4 on the 22nd 27.2 on the 6th in 1965 51 14.9
Menindee Post Office 29.6 on the 20th 28.3 on the 30th in 1966 49 14.5
Cobar MO 28.8 on the 20th 27.7 on the 18th in 1980 48 15.8
Ivanhoe Post Office 30.5 on the 20th 30.0 on the 28th in 1959 47 13.6
White Cliffs Post Office 32.1 on the 19th 30.6 on the 30th in 1966 47 16.3
Katoomba (Murri St) 24.7 on the 20th 22.0 on the 25th in 1982 46 9.8
Burrinjuck Dam 22.6 on the 21st 22.0 on the 22nd in 2006 45 11.0
Coonamble Comparison 30.0 on the 22nd 28.3 on the 6th in 1965 45 15.1
Balranald (RSL) 26.7 on the 19th 25.6 on the 13th in 2008 44 12.5
Lake Victoria Storage 25.5 on the 20th 25.4 on the 30th in 2004 44 13.2
Quirindi Post Office 27.2 on the 22nd 23.3 on the 6th in 1965 43 11.9
Wellington (Agrowplow) 26.2 on the 22nd 23.4 on the 22nd in 2006 43 12.1
Collarenebri (Albert St) 30.6 on the 22nd 29.0 on the 21st in 1982 42 16.4
Grenfell (Quondong Rd) 27.8 on the 20th 24.7 on the 26th in 1997 42 11.7
Murrurundi Post Office 25.1 on the 22nd 23.0 on the 28th in 1995 40 11.0
Orange Airport Comparison 20.8 on the 22nd 20.2 on the 26th in 2002 40 7.8
Trangie Research Station AWS 27.3 on the 21st 26.6 on the 28th in 1980 40 13.5
Brewarrina Hospital 30.0 on the 22nd 28.1 on the 29th in 2006 39 16.1
Woolbrook (Danglemah Road) 17.5 on the 22nd = 17.5 on the 8th in 2008 38 8.1
Camden Airport AWS 21.7 on the 21st 21.0 on the 4th in 2005 34 12.8
Murwillumbah (Bray Park) 24.4 on the 22nd 23.7 on the 7th in 1994 34 16.5
Orange Agricultural Institute 22.3 on the 20th 22.2 on the 25th in 1982 34 9.0
Lord Howe Island Aero 22.8 on the 30th 22.3 on the 18th in 1996 22 17.2


Record highest November mean daily minimum temperature
Mean daily minimum
temperature
for November 2009 (°C) 		Previous highest
for November		 Years of
record		 Average for
November
Sydney (Observatory Hill) 18.7 18.5 in 1914 150 15.6
Hay (Miller Street) 17.7 17.6 in 1914 128 12.5
Broken Hill (Patton Street) 19.8 19.1 in 1914 111 14.7
Parkes (Macarthur Street) 18.7 18.6 in 1914 98 13.4
Menindee Post Office 19.4 18.4 in 1914 96 14.5
Balranald (RSL) 17.2 15.9 in 1914 92 12.5
Nyngan Airport 20.0 17.9 in 1946 87 14.9
Corowa Airport 15.5 15.2 in 1914 83 11.0
Katoomba (Murri St) 13.0 12.6 in 1959 80 9.8
Lake Victoria Storage 17.1 15.7 in 2000 78 13.2
Hume Reservoir 16.4 15.6 in 2007 77 11.6
Canberra Airport 12.7 11.8 in 2007 70 8.7
South West Rocks (Smoky Cape Lighthouse) 18.1 = 18.1 in 1997 70 16.7
Sydney Airport AMO 18.5 17.5 in 1997 70 15.3
Wagga Wagga AMO 15.8 14.7 in 2007 67 10.7
Ivanhoe Post Office 19.2 18.1 in 1959 64 13.6
Cowra Research Centre (Evans St) 16.9 15.0 in 1982 58 11.8
Gunnedah Resource Centre 19.0 18.2 in 2002 58 14.9
Dunedoo Post Office 17.2 15.8 in 1946 52 12.1
Inverell Research Centre 15.6 14.3 in 2002 52 12.6
Wyalong Post Office 18.3 16.1 in 2007 50 12.3
Quandialla Post Office 17.1 15.3 in 2007 48 11.8
Cobar MO 20.4 18.5 in 2002 47 15.8
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 18.7 16.4 in 2007 46 12.9
Barraba Post Office 15.2 14.8 in 2002 43 11.7
Cowra Airport Comparison 15.1 14.4 in 2007 43 10.1
Parramatta North (Masons Drive) 16.5 15.5 in 1997 42 13.9
Prospect Reservoir 16.1 16.0 in 1990 42 14.2
Tumbarumba Post Office 11.3 10.8 in 2000 42 7.4
Bankstown Airport AWS 16.9 15.9 in 2007 41 14.2
Bowral (Parry Drive) 12.9 12.5 in 2002 41 9.5
Peak Hill Post Office 19.9 17.7 in 2002 41 14.2
Yarras (Mount Seaview) 17.1 15.7 in 2005 40 13.7
Orange Airport Comparison 12.5 10.8 in 2007 39 7.8
Tabulam (Muirne) 16.1 16.0 in 1995 39 14.2
Charlotte Pass (Kosciusko Chalet) 4.3 3.8 in 1993 38 1.8
Narrandera Golf Club 17.1 15.4 in 2007 38 12.3
Tocumwal Airport 15.6 14.1 in 2000 38 11.7
Oberon (Springbank) 10.1 8.6 in 1987 37 6.5
Woolbrook (Danglemah Road) 10.6 10.5 in 2005 37 8.1
Goulburn TAFE 12.4 12.0 in 2000 34 9.3
Griffith Airport AWS 18.2 16.2 in 2007 34 12.4
Gulgong Post Office 16.6 15.1 in 1997 34 12.0
Camden Airport AWS 15.2 14.8 in 2000 33 12.8
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 12.1 11.3 in 2002 33 9.8
Orange Agricultural Institute 13.0 11.5 in 2002 33 9.0
Cessnock (Nulkaba) 16.1 = 16.1 in 1997 32 13.7
Gosford (Narara Research Station) AWS 15.3 15.2 in 1997 28 13.0
Peats Ridge (Waratah Road) 15.4 14.8 in 1997 28 12.8
Guyra Hospital 11.5 11.2 in 1997 25 8.6
Thredbo AWS 6.3 5.9 in 1966 25 2.4
Narooma RVCP 15.7 15.3 in 2000 24 13.0
Nelson Bay (Nelson Head) 18.9 18.4 in 1914 23 15.3
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve 11.6 = 11.6 in 2007 23 8.7
Lord Howe Island Aero 18.9 18.7 in 1988 21 17.2



Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Summary statistics for November 2009
Maximum temperatures
for November
(°C)		 Minimum temperatures
for November
(°C)		 Rainfall
for November
(millimetres)
Mean for
November
2009		 Diff
from
average		 Highest for
November
2009		 Mean for
November
2009		 Diff
from
average		 Lowest for
November
2009		 Total for
November
2009		 Average
for
November		 Rank of
November
2009		 Fraction of
November
average
Western (Far Northwest) (district 46)
Fowlers Gap AWS 34.2   44.9 18th 20.4   12.1 6th 34.8
Tibooburra Airport 35.3   45.3 18th 21.7   11.9 24th 42.0
Tibooburra Post Office 35.4 +3.4 46.4 18th 22.1 +4.6 12.3 24th 41.6 16.4 high 254%
White Cliffs AWS 35.4   45.2 18th 22.0   15.0 24th 43.4
White Cliffs Post Office 35.2 +3.7 45.0 18th 21.4 +5.1 15.0 5th 37.8 18.6 high 203%
Wilcannia (Reid St) 35.1 +3.9 45.2 16th 19.8 +4.2 10.1 6th 42.2 20.3 high 208%
Wilcannia Aerodrome AWS 35.4   45.2 18th 20.1   10.6 6th 40.2
Western (Lower Darling) (district 47)
Broken Hill (Patton Street) 32.5 +3.9 44.0 18th 19.8 +5.1 8.9 4th 51.2 20.4 v high 251%
Broken Hill Airport AWS 32.2   43.5 18th 19.4   9.1 4th 48.6 20.6 v high 236%
Lake Victoria Storage 32.3 +5.1 42.2 15th 17.1 +3.9 8.0 5th 52.6 23.0 high 229%
Menindee Post Office 34.3 +4.3 45.2 18th 19.4 +4.9 11.4 4th 40.5 20.5 high 198%
Pooncarie Mail Agency 33.7   44.6 19th 18.1   8.9 6th 75.0 20.2 v high 371%
Western (Upper Darling) (district 48)
Bourke Airport AWS 37.0   46.6 20th 20.7   13.1 6th 3.4
Brewarrina Hospital 36.7 +4.3 46.0 20th 20.0 +3.9 10.6 6th 7.5 33.4 low 22%
Cobar Airport AWS 34.3   44.7 20th 19.9   12.6 5th 12.2
Cobar MO 34.6 +5.2 45.4 20th 20.4 +4.6 13.8 24th 9.6 34.3 low 28%
Collarenebri (Albert St) 37.5 +5.4 44.2 20th 21.1 +4.7 15.2 9th 7.2 47.5 low 15%
Lightning Ridge Visitors Information Cen 36.6   44.5 20th 21.0   15.0 6th 6.4
Wanaaring Post Office 36.2   46.8 20th 21.0   13.8 24th 34.0 24.9 high 137%
Western (Southwest Plains) (district 49)
Balranald (RSL) 32.5 +4.5 42.0 19th 17.2 +4.7 6.9 5th 68.6 27.1 v high 253%
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 34.0   42.4 16th 20.2   11.5 6th 29.2
Ivanhoe Post Office 35.1 +5.1 44.0 20th 19.2 +5.6 9.0 6th 33.7 23.5 high 143%
Central Western Plains (South) (district 50)
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 34.9 +6.4 44.4 20th 18.7 +5.8 10.3 5th 17.2 37.8 average 46%
Condobolin Airport AWS 34.3   45.0 20th 18.8   10.5 5th 18.8
Peak Hill Post Office 33.9 +5.9 43.8 20th 19.9 +5.6 11.8 5th 19.4 47.0 low 41%
West Wyalong Airport AWS 33.2   42.1 19th 17.2   9.5 5th 23.2
Central Western Plains (North) (district 51)
Coonamble Airport AWS 35.2   43.8 21st 18.7   11.9 30th 8.0
Coonamble Comparison 35.4 +4.4 43.2 21st 19.1 +4.0 13.0 30th 8.2 43.3 low 19%
Nyngan Airport 35.2 +5.2 45.0 20th 20.0 +5.1 14.7 5th 6.6 35.6 low 19%
Trangie Research Station AWS 35.1 +6.4 44.8 20th 18.9 +5.4 10.6 5th 7.0 44.4 low 16%
Northwest Plains (West) (district 52)
Mungindi Post Office 37.2 +5.2 44.0 19th 20.9 +4.3 15.0 10th 5.4 44.8 v low 12%
Walgett Airport AWS 37.1   45.1 21st 19.3   12.6 30th 13.0
Northwest Plains (East) (district 53)
Moree Aero 35.5   42.6 17th 19.5   13.0 10th 13.8
Northwest Slopes (North) (district 54)
Barraba Post Office 33.1 +5.4 39.5 20th 15.2 +3.5 7.6 11th 50.3 72.3 average 70%
Narrabri Airport AWS 35.4   42.5 17th 19.6   12.9 10th 8.6
Northwest Slopes (South) (district 55)
Gunnedah Airport AWS 34.5   42.1 20th 16.6   10.1 11th 17.8
Gunnedah Pool 33.9 +3.6 41.5 20th 18.4 +4.3 12.8 11th 24.6 60.9 low 40%
Gunnedah Resource Centre 33.5 +5.3 41.2 20th 19.0 +4.1 13.8 11th 47.4 68.0 average 70%
Quirindi Post Office 33.7 +5.3 42.2 20th 16.4 +4.5 10.2 12th 37.8 64.6 low 59%
Tamworth Airport AWS 33.6   41.2 20th 15.8   10.7 10th 56.4
Woolbrook (Danglemah Road) 29.5 +6.3 36.5 20th 10.6 +2.6 3.5 10th 30.0 84.0 v low 36%
Northern Tablelands (West) (district 56)
Armidale (Tree Group Nursery) 27.6   34.5 20th 10.6   3.1 2nd 77.4
Armidale Airport AWS 26.6   33.5 20th 12.7   5.5 10th 60.6
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 26.8 +4.6 33.0 20th 12.1 +2.3 5.5 2nd 72.0 90.2 average 80%
Glen Innes Airport AWS 26.9   32.8 20th 10.5   3.4 2nd 81.8
Glen Innes Post Office 28.2 +4.5 34.9 20th 13.3 +3.6 6.5 2nd 45.6 87.1 low 52%
Guyra Hospital 25.1 +4.9 31.6 20th 11.5 +3.0 4.7 10th 70.4 97.7 low 72%
Inverell (Raglan St) 32.0   38.5 20th 13.6   5.9 10th 18.2
Inverell Research Centre 31.4 +5.8 37.7 17th 15.6 +3.0 8.8 10th 10.6 85.4 v low 12%
Tenterfield (Federation Park) 27.7 +3.0 34.0 21st 12.7 +1.9 6.4 4th 77.4 85.3 average 91%
Northern Tablelands (East) (district 57)
Tabulam (Muirne) 28.8 +3.7 35.3 21st 16.1 +1.9 12.3 2nd 97.4 119.2 average 82%
Upper North Coast (district 58)
Alstonville Tropical Fruit Research Stat 27.4 +2.1 36.0 17th 18.1 +1.5 14.4 2nd 112.8 132.8 average 85%
Ballina Airport AWS 28.6   38.1 17th 17.8   10.4 2nd 53.4
Byron Bay (Cape Byron AWS) 26.4   29.5 4th 19.6   16.1 2nd 48.8
Casino Airport 32.4 +2.7 40.7 17th 18.4 +2.5 12.9 12th 23.2 87.0 v low 27%
Casino Airport AWS 31.9   40.6 17th 17.7   12.2 12th 21.6
Evans Head RAAF Bombing Range AWS 29.1   38.5 17th 18.2   13.6 2nd 56.0
Grafton Airport AWS 30.2   36.1 29th 17.1   12.9 11th 116.4
Grafton Olympic Pool 30.8 +2.7 37.9 22nd 18.1 +1.9 13.9 4th 97.4 104.0 average 94%
Grafton Research Stn 30.2   36.8 22nd 17.7   13.7 11th 110.8 80.1 high 138%
Lismore (Richmond Hill) 29.9   38.1 17th 17.3   12.0 2nd 66.1
Lismore Airport AWS 31.0   38.8 29th 16.4   11.6 2nd 62.2
Murwillumbah (Bray Park) 29.4 +1.8 39.6 17th 18.1 +1.6 12.9 2nd 78.8 127.5 low 62%
Yamba Pilot Station 26.0 +1.4 33.3 29th 19.1 +1.8 16.2 3rd 49.2 91.8 average 54%
Lower North Coast (district 59)
Coffs Harbour MO 26.6 +1.7 37.7 29th 18.2 +2.1 13.0 10th 546.6 139.6 highest 392%
Dorrigo (Old Coramba Rd) 25.2   32.3 21st 14.3   7.0 10th 198.0
Kempsey (Wide Street) 28.4 +1.3 36.3 29th 16.1 +1.8 11.3 2nd 216.9 93.8 v high 231%
Kempsey Airport AWS 28.0   37.2 29th 15.9   10.8 2nd 239.6
South West Rocks (Smoky Cape Lighthouse) 26.1 +1.6 36.0 29th 18.1 +1.4 12.5 30th 138.9 113.2 high 123%
Manning (district 60)
Forster - Tuncurry R.V.C.P. 25.1   34.0 29th 18.2   13.0 11th 137.1 81.1 high 169%
Port Macquarie Airport AWS 26.8   37.7 29th 16.6   9.9 2nd 191.0
Taree Airport AWS 27.4   35.0 22nd 16.9   11.0 10th 118.0
Yarras (Mount Seaview) 29.2 +2.7 38.1 22nd 17.1 +3.3 13.2 2nd 340.8 156.7 high 217%
Hunter (district 61)
Cessnock (Nulkaba) 31.1 +3.8 44.0 20th 16.1 +2.4 9.5 10th 43.9 69.1 average 64%
Cessnock Airport AWS 30.1   43.2 20th 15.0   7.5 10th 62.6 66.6 average 94%
Cooranbong (Lake Macquarie AWS) 28.2   41.2 20th 15.4   8.4 10th 30.4
Gosford (Narara Research Station) AWS 27.6 +2.7 41.4 20th 15.3 +2.3 9.8 10th 39.8 91.7 low 43%
Jerrys Plains Post Office 32.6 +3.5 43.5 21st 15.7 +2.6 9.4 14th 40.0 59.8 average 67%
Maitland Visitors Centre 30.0   43.0 20th 16.0   9.3 10th 32.8
Mangrove Mountain AWS 27.8   41.5 20th 15.4   10.2 14th 36.2
Merriwa (Roscommon) 32.1   42.8 21st 14.9   9.3 10th 35.8 56.5 low 63%
Murrurundi Gap AWS 28.4   37.9 20th 16.0   10.5 1st 32.2
Murrurundi Post Office 30.9 +3.6 40.2 20th 13.8 +2.8 5.5 2nd 29.6 74.5 low 40%
Nelson Bay (Nelson Head) 26.2 +1.4 34.5 3rd 18.9 +3.5 15.8 12th 41.2 78.7 average 52%
Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS 25.2 +1.6 40.5 22nd 18.5 +2.5 14.9 14th 34.2 70.2 low 49%
Newcastle University 28.8   42.0 20th 17.6   12.0 14th 39.2
Norah Head AWS 25.5   39.2 22nd 18.4   15.4 14th 7.4
Paterson (Tocal AWS) 29.9 +3.3 42.8 20th 16.1 +2.3 10.4 10th 50.8 79.3 average 64%
Peats Ridge (Waratah Road) 27.9 +4.0 41.9 20th 15.4 +2.6 10.6 10th 34.8 104.8 v low 33%
Scone Airport AWS 31.9   43.2 20th 15.3   9.1 11th 25.4
Williamtown RAAF 28.5 +3.1 41.9 22nd 16.0 +1.7 9.6 10th 93.2 81.2 average 115%
Central Tablelands (North) (district 62)
Gulgong Post Office 32.6 +6.2 41.4 21st 16.6 +4.6 11.6 30th 27.2 59.1 low 46%
Mudgee Airport AWS 31.7   41.1 20th 14.1   7.5 5th 20.4
Nullo Mountain AWS 24.3   34.1 21st 13.1   7.3 14th 53.2
Central Tablelands (South) (district 63)
Bathurst Agricultural Station 30.5 +7.3 39.7 20th 12.3 +3.4 3.6 5th 17.0 60.6 v low 28%
Bathurst Airport AWS 29.6   38.8 20th 12.5   4.6 5th 10.4
Cowra Research Centre (Evans St) 33.4 +7.8 42.4 20th 16.9 +5.1 7.9 5th 20.3 55.8 low 36%
Katoomba (Murri St) 24.4 +4.2 34.1 20th 13.0 +3.2 8.3 14th 60.4 106.7 average 57%
Lithgow (Cooerwull) 26.0   35.9 19th 11.3   5.5 14th 23.6 62.1 low 38%
Mount Boyce AWS 24.1   35.0 20th 12.7   8.1 14th 53.8
Oberon (Springbank) 25.1 +5.4 35.2 20th 10.1 +3.6 2.8 14th 20.2 70.1 low 29%
Orange Agricultural Institute 27.4 +6.6 35.7 20th 13.0 +4.0 6.8 5th 31.2 76.7 low 41%
Orange Airport AWS 27.6   36.6 20th 11.4   1.6 5th 33.2
Orange Airport Comparison 27.5 +7.2 35.6 20th 12.5 +4.7 5.0 5th 30.2 74.4 low 41%
Springwood Bowling Club 28.3   42.0 20th 15.7   11.3 14th 42.2 95.0 low 44%
Central Western Slopes (North) (district 64)
Coonabarabran (Namoi Street) 32.5 +4.7 40.0 20th 13.3 +2.8 7.3 10th 10.0 64.4 v low 16%
Coonabarabran Airport AWS 31.7   39.4 20th 17.6   12.7 10th 9.6
Dunedoo Post Office 33.9 +6.4 43.0 20th 17.2 +5.0 11.8 30th 17.8 53.8 low 33%
Central Western Slopes (South) (district 65)
Cowra Airport Comparison 33.4 +6.8 43.8 20th 15.1 +5.0 6.5 5th 16.0 51.0 low 31%
Dubbo Airport AWS 34.1   43.4 20th 17.9   9.4 5th 12.8
Forbes Airport AWS 34.3   44.9 20th 16.7   6.9 5th 19.8
Parkes (Macarthur Street) 34.1 +6.5 43.6 20th 18.7 +5.2 9.3 5th 17.6 48.2 low 37%
Parkes Airport AWS 33.8   43.0 20th 16.7   6.0 5th 20.0 54.7 low 37%
Wellington (Agrowplow) 34.0 +5.6 43.0 20th 17.2 +5.1 7.9 5th 9.3 57.4 low 16%
Metropolitan (East) (district 66)
Bankstown Airport AWS 28.6 +3.6 41.5 20th 16.9 +2.7 12.4 14th 21.4 76.1 low 28%
Canterbury Racecourse AWS 27.2   40.9 22nd 16.8   12.4 11th 23.4
Holsworthy Control Range 28.8   41.6 22nd 15.8   11.0 11th 18.8
Parramatta North (Masons Drive) 28.6 +3.3 41.8 20th 16.5 +2.6 11.5 10th 12.0 84.2 v low 14%
Riverview Observatory 27.2 +3.0 40.5 22nd 17.4 +3.2 12.3 14th 10.7 78.0 v low 14%
Sydney (Observatory Hill) 26.1 +2.5 40.4 22nd 18.7 +3.1 15.0 14th 13.4 83.1 v low 16%
Sydney Airport AMO 27.2 +3.2 42.5 22nd 18.5 +3.2 15.2 14th 24.4 79.8 low 31%
Sydney Olympic Park (Sydney Olympic Pk A 28.4   42.4 22nd 18.2   14.3 14th 12.6
Terrey Hills AWS 26.3   38.9 20th 16.7   12.4 14th 19.0
Metropolitan (West) (district 67)
Badgerys Creek AWS 30.1   41.9 20th 15.4   9.7 14th 17.2
Horsley Park Equestrian Centre AWS 29.4   40.9 20th 15.9   11.7 14th 21.2
Liverpool (Michael Wenden Centre) 29.7   41.6 20th 16.0   11.0 10th 30.1
Penrith Lakes AWS 32.2   42.2 20th 17.0   11.6 14th 13.6
Prospect Reservoir 29.8 +4.6 42.0 20th 16.1 +1.9 11.4 10th 12.4 72.1 v low 17%
Richmond RAAF 30.5   41.4 22nd 16.0   9.9 14th 13.8
Illawarra (district 68)
Albion Park (Wollongong Airport) 26.0   40.0 22nd 14.8   9.0 14th 47.8
Bellambi AWS 24.4   39.4 22nd 17.3   13.2 11th 68.0
Bowral (Parry Drive) 25.8 +4.6 38.0 20th 12.9 +3.4 6.3 14th 37.0 91.1 low 41%
Camden Airport AWS 30.1 +4.2 41.9 20th 15.2 +2.4 8.9 14th 20.2 74.0 low 27%
Campbelltown (Mount Annan) 30.1   42.1 20th 15.0   9.6 14th 29.8
Jervis Bay (Point Perpendicular AWS) 24.4   38.2 20th 16.7   13.4 14th 40.4
Kiama (Bombo Headland) 24.3   37.7 3rd 17.0   13.6 14th 56.0
Moss Vale AWS 26.1   37.9 20th 11.9   2.5 14th 28.2
Nowra RAN Air Station AWS 27.8   40.9 22nd 14.3   10.0 11th 29.4
South Coast (district 69)
Batemans Bay (Catalina Country Club) 26.7   40.0 20th 14.1   8.9 14th 28.8 90.4 low 32%
Bega AWS 27.7   42.6 20th 12.9   7.3 11th 44.0
Braidwood Racecourse AWS 26.5   38.4 20th 10.1   2.9 14th 19.2
Green Cape AWS 22.3   25.5 20th 15.9   12.8 5th 36.6
Merimbula Airport AWS 22.6   29.0 27th     9.0 14th 58.6
Montague Island Lighthouse 22.0 +2.1 30.6 3rd 15.8 +1.8 12.6 5th 10.6 75.4 v low 14%
Moruya Airport AWS 25.3   42.0 20th 13.5   8.0 14th 30.0
Moruya Heads Pilot Station 24.0 +2.6 40.1 20th 15.2 +2.4 11.6 14th 32.0 75.7 low 42%
Narooma RVCP 23.7 +3.3 36.4 20th 15.7 +2.7 12.1 14th 19.0 72.2 low 26%
Nerriga Composite 27.3 +5.7 39.0 20th 10.6 +1.8 3.5 10th 16.9 64.4 low 26%
Ulladulla AWS 23.7   36.5 3rd 16.0   12.5 14th 32.8
Southern Tablelands (Goulburn-Monaro) (district 70)
Bombala (Therry Street) 27.0 +6.0 36.5 20th 9.8 +3.0 4.0 10th 29.8 63.2 low 47%
Bombala AWS 26.1   35.7 20th 9.5   4.0 7th 30.2
Canberra Airport 29.0 +6.3 38.9 20th 12.7 +4.0 7.3 14th 17.0 63.9 v low 27%
Canberra Airport Comparison 29.4   39.9 20th 12.2   7.4 14th 11.4
Cooma Airport AWS 26.6   34.4 20th 9.3   4.0 9th 7.0 66.7 lowest 10%
Cooma Visitors Centre 27.7 +5.5 36.5 20th 9.0 +2.1 4.0 7th 17.2 63.5 low 27%
Goulburn Airport AWS 28.3   39.9 20th 10.6   2.9 10th 16.8
Goulburn TAFE 28.4 +6.0 39.4 20th 12.4 +3.1 5.5 14th 11.2 64.8 v low 17%
Taralga Post Office 27.5 +6.4 38.5 20th 10.4 +2.8 3.0 10th 20.8 67.6 low 31%
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve 27.3 +5.5 36.5 20th 11.6 +2.9 0.0 30th 12.5 84.4 v low 15%
Tuggeranong (Isabella Plains) AWS 28.8   37.9 20th 12.5   7.6 8th 12.8
Yass (Linton Hostel) 30.2 +6.0 39.5 20th 12.4 +3.2 6.5 5th 23.8 55.7 low 43%
Southern Tablelands (Snowy Mountains) (district 71)
Charlotte Pass (Kosciusko Chalet) 17.6 +5.1 24.1 20th 4.3 +2.5 -4.8 5th 170.1 191.0 average 89%
Thredbo AWS 16.0 +4.6 22.3 20th 6.3 +3.9 -2.5 5th 139.4 138.7 average 101%
Thredbo Village 21.4 +5.1 29.0 20th 6.5 +3.0 -1.0 16th 151.8 159.9 average 95%
Southwest Slopes (South) (district 72)
Albury Airport AWS 30.5   39.7 19th 15.1   6.6 5th 58.8
Cabramurra SMHEA AWS 19.8   27.2 20th 10.5   3.1 5th 60.2
Hume Reservoir 30.0 +5.1 39.4 19th 16.4 +4.8 7.0 5th 60.6 51.7 average 117%
Khancoban AWS 28.5   34.0 26th 12.0   5.5 5th 55.4
Tumbarumba Post Office 27.7 +5.2 35.3 20th 11.3 +3.9 2.3 5th 42.2 72.5 average 58%
Wagga Wagga AMO 32.8 +7.2 41.8 20th 15.8 +5.2 4.7 5th 27.2 43.7 average 62%
Southwest Slopes (North) (district 73)
Burrinjuck Dam 30.2 +6.4 38.8 19th 15.0 +4.0 8.0 5th 40.7 70.3 low 58%
Cootamundra Airport 31.5   40.7 20th 13.8   3.0 5th 29.6
Grenfell (Quondong Rd) 32.4 +5.8 40.9 20th 16.8 +5.1 8.3 5th 29.8 48.7 average 61%
Gundagai (William St) 31.6   41.5 20th 14.8   5.3 5th 34.0
Quandialla Post Office 34.2 +6.8 42.5 20th 17.1 +5.3 9.2 5th 33.4 41.3 average 81%
Temora Airport 33.1   42.0 19th 15.7   4.8 5th 24.0
Wyalong Post Office 33.6 +6.5 42.1 19th 18.3 +5.9 10.8 5th 21.4 36.0 average 59%
Young Airport 32.0   40.7 20th 12.7   8.5 14th 27.4
Riverina (East) (district 74)
Corowa Airport 31.2 +4.7 40.6 20th 15.5 +4.5 7.4 5th 74.2 41.3 high 180%
Deniliquin Airport AWS 32.2   42.4 19th 16.3   7.9 5th 55.8
Narrandera Airport 33.5   43.0 20th 17.0   8.7 5th 45.2 33.8 high 134%
Narrandera Golf Club 32.7 +5.6 41.7 20th 17.1 +4.8 8.5 5th 44.7 36.9 average 121%
Tocumwal Airport 31.7 +5.2 42.0 19th 15.6 +3.9 8.6 5th 64.8 34.0 high 191%
Yanco Agricultural Institute 33.2   41.8 20th 18.3   9.8 5th 44.6
Riverina (West) (district 75)
Griffith Airport AWS 33.3 +5.4 42.8 19th 18.2 +5.8 10.9 5th 27.8 32.4 average 86%
Hay (Miller Street) 32.7 +4.3 42.7 20th 17.7 +5.3 9.4 6th 40.2 25.0 high 161%
Hay Airport AWS 33.0   43.3 20th 17.6   9.7 5th 34.4
Hillston Airport 34.0 +5.6 43.5 20th 18.5 +4.9 10.0 6th 42.4 28.0 high 151%
Lake Cargelligo Airport 33.8 +4.4 43.9 20th 19.1 +5.1 13.0 5th 13.0 32.5 average 40%

Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notes

A Monthly 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 9 am on Tuesday 1 December 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.

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