Tuesday, 1 March 2016 - Monthly Climate Summary for New South Wales - Product code IDCKGC15R0

New South Wales in February 2016: Driest February since 1978

New South Wales experienced a very dry February during 2016, with persistently warm, clear days across the state. Nights were also warmer than average, particularly along the coast and in the northwest, associated with warm coastal sea surface temperatures.

• Driest February since 1978
• Warmest February days since 2007
• Warm nights in the northwest and near the coast

New South Wales recorded its driest February since 1978, with the statewide average rainfall 69% below the historical average. Rainfall was below average across almost the entire State, with numerous stations recording either their driest February on record or driest in at least twenty years. There were no major rain events during the month, although locally heavy falls were recorded on parts of the east coast on 4-6, 21 and 27-28 February, while thunderstorms on 31 January produced rain in parts of the southern border over the 24 hours to 9 am on the 1st.

Daytime temperatures were above average across the State during February, with the statewide average maximum temperature 1.9 °C above the historical average. The month was notable for the persistence of warm conditions rather than extreme heat, with the only significant heatwave occurring between the 23rd and 26th. While some February heat records were broken during this event, notably at Inverell, many other stations recorded their warmest day or longest warm spell on record for this late in the season. Some stations also recorded their longest spell on record above more moderate thresholds, including 19 days above 30 °C at Grafton and 25 days above 26 °C at Sydney.

Minimum temperatures were 0.6 °C above average for the State as a whole. Nights were warmer than average in coastal regions, associated with persistently warm sea surface temperatures, with Norfolk Island recording its warmest mean minimum temperatures on record. Northwestern New South Wales also recorded warmer than average nights, with close to average temperatures over the rest of the state.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Maps
	Observed	Anomaly	Decile rank
Total rainfall
Mean daily maximum temperatures
Mean daily minimum temperatures

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

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

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

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top