Monday, 3 August 2015 - Monthly Climate Summary for Sydney - Product code IDCKGC15L0

Sydney in July 2015: A cool month with snow in the Blue Mountains

Temperatures were below average across Sydney during July, with the coolest mean minimum temperatures at Observatory Hill since 2002. Rainfall was also average to below average, while two cold snaps caused snow in the Blue Mountains.

• Coolest mean minimum temperatures since 2002
• Most cold nights since 2002
• Cold snaps cause snow in the Blue Mountains

Rainfall was average to below average across Sydney during July, with Observatory Hill recording half its historical average rainfall. The rain fell over 13 days, close to the July average of 11 days, but only one day recorded more than 10 mm. The heaviest rain was associated with an east coast low on the 17th, with 17.2 mm recorded at Observatory Hill and 26.4 mm at Canterbury. An east coast low to the south of the city also caused totals of up to 16 mm at Campbelltown on the 12th.

Both these events were associated with very cold conditions and produced snow in the Blue Mountains, with 15 cm of snow reported at Oberon and 19 cm at Blackheath on the 17th. This is the heaviest snow in the Blue Mountains since 15-20 cm fell during an east coast low in October 2012.

Minimum temperatures were below average across the city, with Observatory Hill recording its coolest July nights since 2002. The month was notable for the persistence of cool nights, with Observatory Hill recording minimum temperatures of 8 °C or lower on 18 nights. This is close to the historical average of 16 nights, but the most cold nights since July 2002. There were 11 consecutive nights below 8 °C between the 2nd and 12th, the longest cold spell since 14–24 July 1989.

Maximum temperatures were also below average across most of the city, including the coolest July since 1998 at Richmond. In contrast, maximum temperatures were above average at Observatory Hill, with only four days below 15 °C (average 9 days), notably between the 16th and 18th, while five days reached at least 20 °C (average 2 days). On average there were 6.9 hours of bright sunshine per day during the month, slightly above the July average of 6.6 hours.

Extremes Records Summaries Daily observations Important notes the top

Extremes Records Summaries Daily observations Important notes the top

* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a lower value has gone unreported.

Extremes Records Summaries Daily observations Important notes the top

Extremes Records Summaries Daily observations Important notes the top

Extremes Records Summaries Daily observations Important notes the top