Tuesday, 1 November 2011 - Monthly Climate Summary for New South Wales - Product code IDCKGC25R0

NSW in October 2011: A typical October for NSW

• Average rainfall
• Average temperatures

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Rainfall

The average rainfall in NSW during October was 37.2 mm, slightly below the historical average of 44 mm. Rainfall was close to average across most of the state, with the highest falls along the North Coast and the northern border, reaching 209 mm at Nimbin. The Murray-Darling Basin recorded 35.3 mm, slightly below the historical average of 40.1 mm.

The most significant rain event fell on the 15th, with isolated heavy falls in the Wollongong region, reaching 100 mm at Bellambi. Further heavy falls reached 74 mm at Barrington Tops on the 3rd, 79.8 mm at Byron Bay on the 27th, and 82.8 mm at Barraba on the 31st, its wettest October day on record.

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

Temperature

The average maximum temperature in NSW during October was 24.5 °C, 0.1 °C above the historical average, consistent with the average rainfall during the month. Temperatures were generally warm in the west and south of the state, but below average in the northeast where rainfall was higher.

Temperatures were particularly cold due to southerly winds at the start of October, with most of the state more than 8 °C below average on the 1st and several stations in the northeast recording their coldest October day on record on the 2nd. Temperatures were generally below average during the first half of the month and above average in the second half, consistent with the warming expected during spring.

The average minimum temperature was 10.8 °C, 0.3 °C above the historical average of 10.5 °C. Most of the state recorded night-time temperatures less than 1 °C above average, with slightly below average temperatures in the northeast of the state and along the Central Tablelands. Minimums were also coolest in the first week of October, with warmest nights on the 24th, reaching 26 °C at Broken Hill Airport, its warmest night since 2006, and the warmest night on record at Barraba.

Mean daily temperatures were consequently 17.7 °C, 0.2 °C above the historical average of 17.5 °C.

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

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

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top