Tuesday, 4 October 2011 - Monthly Climate Summary for New South Wales - Product code IDCKGC25R0

NSW in September 2011: Above average rainfall in northern NSW

• Slightly above average rainfall.
• 10th warmest September on record for maximum temperatures.
• Close to average minimum temperatures.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Rainfall

The average rainfall in NSW during September was 38.3 mm, slightly above the historical average of 34.7 mm. Rainfall was highest in the north of the state, with moderate falls in northern parts associated with a low pressure trough on the 9th in addition to a significant rain event across most of NSW on the 29th, the latter breaking daily rainfall records at several locations. Southern areas had average to below average rain during the month, with clear conditions dominating for most of early September. The average rainfall in the Murray-Darling Basin was 35.7 mm, slightly above the historical average of 34.0 mm.

Total falls were highest in the Snowy Mountains, reaching 248.9 mm at Charlottes Pass, with a two-day total of 195 mm between the 28th and 29th. Rainfall was also high on the Central Coast, reaching 247 mm at Wyong, with particularly heavy falls in coastal regions associated with moist easterly windflow and embedded thunderstorms on the 24th and 25th.

Some sites had their highest total September rainfall on record. Some sites had their highest September daily rainfall on record. See a map of rainfall deciles.

Temperature

The average maximum temperature in NSW during September was 22.6 °C, 2 °C above average and the 10th warmest on record. Temperatures were above average across the state, but warmest in the southwest, much of which was more than 2 °C above average. Temperatures were particularly warm between the 16th and 19th when much of inland NSW was more than 8 °C above average, reaching 34.2 °C at Tibooburra PO on the 18th.

The average minimum temperature in NSW was 7.0 °C during September, 0.1 °C below the historical average. Temperatures were within 1 °C of average across most of the state, associated with close to average rainfall during the month. Temperatures were particularly warm associated with a rain event on the 28th and 29th, with large areas in the northwest more than 8 °C above average, including the warmest September night on record at Menindee. The mean daily temperature was consequently 1 °C above average at 14.8 °C.

Some sites had their highest September temperature on record. Some sites had their coldest September day (lowest maximum temperature) on record. Some sites had their warmest September night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record.

See a map of maximum temperature anomalies. See a map of minimum temperature anomalies.

Other phenomena

Damaging winds were experienced across the state on the 20th, with gusts reaching 107 km/hr at Mt Ginini and Murrurundi Gap and 96 km/hr at Albion Park. These caused light wind damage across the state, primarily associated with fallen trees and branches.

Heavy rain and storms hit the Central Coast, Metropolitan and Hunter regions on the 24th and 25th, causing minor property damage associated with heavy rain and fallen trees. Damage was greatest on the North Coast, with significant damage to several properties in Coraki (near Ballina).

Thunderstorms were reported across the state on the 28th and 29th, with several reports of small hail in addition to heavy rain.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top