Thursday, 1 November 2018 - Monthly Climate Summary for New South Wales - Product code IDCKGC15R0

New South Wales in October 2018: very warm nights and wet along the coast

For New South Wales as a whole, October was warm. The mean, maximum and minimum temperatures were all over 2 degrees warmer than average, and it was the second-warmest October on record for minimum temperature. Rainfall was slightly above average for the State as a whole, although along the coast (north of Wollongong), many areas received more than twice their monthly average due to heavy falls associated with thunderstorms.

Significant rainfall for coastal regions

• State-wide, rainfall was 10% above the October average; the first month of 2018 where rainfall was above the monthly average
• Troughs and low pressure systems brought thunderstorms and rain to much of New South Wales during October. The highest falls were concentrated along the northern two thirds of the east coast, where some sites had their highest October daily rainfall on record or their highest total October rainfall on record
• Many sites in the Northern Rivers, Hunter and Metropolitan districts had their highest total October rainfall for at least 20 years
• In contrast, below average falls were experienced across the South West Slopes and reaching into adjacent districts, as well as the far west region of the Upper Western district

Very warm October nights

• For New South Wales as a whole, it was the third-warmest October on record, with a mean temperature that was 2.44 °C above average
• Overnight temperatures were 2.45 °C above average for the State and second-warmest night time temperatures on record for October
• Just over 76% of the State experienced very much above average (decile 10) minimum temperatures; many sites saw their warmest October night and highest mean daily minimum temperatures on record
• As a whole, daytime temperatures were warm; 2.42 °C above average
• Along the east coast, maximum temperatures were below average and Bellambi, in the Illawarra district, saw its lowest October mean daily maximum temperature on record. Newcastle, in the Hunter district, saw its lowest October mean daily maximum temperature since 1976

Severe thunderstorms

• Thunderstorms developed over western New South Wales from the 3rd, producing locally heavy falls at Broken Hill, Pooncarie, Menindee and Ivanhoe. The rain received at many towns was more than the total amount of rain received in the previous 9 months
• From the 16th, a trough entered from the west and continued eastwards generating thunderstorms and isolated heavy falls as it crossed the State and moved offshore on the 19th

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

Click on a map to show it full size in a pop-up window

* 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