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New South Wales in April 2020: cool and wet

It was generally cool and wet across New South Wales in April. Below average maximum temperatures were experienced over inland regions, although they were above average along the coast. Keeping with this, rainfall was above average inland and below average in coastal regions

Above average rainfall inland, below average in coastal areas

  • Monthly rainfall for New South Wales was above the April average for much of the inland west of the Dividing Range
  • It was the wettest April for New South Wales since 2015
  • Substantial daily totals of 50–100 mm were reported along the Western Slopes on the 4th, 10th and 30th, and a number of sites recorded their highest April daily rainfall
  • Some sites had their highest total April rainfall on record or their highest since 1990
  • Year-to-date rainfall totals are 125–150% of the long-term average over much of the State except for the far west
  • Over much of the northeast, January–April 2020 rainfall exceeds the 2019 annual total
  • Unlike inland, April rainfall in coastal regions was generally below average, particularly in the Northern Rivers District

Cool daytime temperatures inland, warm along the coast

  • Maximum temperatures were below average for April across much of New South Wales, particularly along the Western Slopes
  • A persistent west-to-southwesterly flow kept conditions cool throughout the month, except for a period around 15th and 16th
  • Some sites had their lowest April mean daily maximum temperature on record or since the mid-1990s
  • East of the Dividing Range, maximum temperatures were above the April average
  • State-wide, it was the third consecutive month of below average maximum temperatures, a sequence not seen for any period since 2012
  • Minimum temperatures were generally above average across the State

A cold end to the month

  • Several cold fronts crossed the State during the month. While they brought substantial rain and cool conditions to inland areas, they did not generally reach coastal areas
  • The most significant cold front was on the 30th. This brought strong winds and a drop in temperature, with significant snowfall over the Alpine region
  • The most recent comparable event in New South Wales in April occured on 26–27 April 2008
  • Some sites had their coldest April day on record, and for many towns in north and west it was their coldest April day since the 1950s or 1960s
  • Canberra Airport's maximum of 9.7 °C on the 30th was the coldest April day, and the earliest date in autumn with a maximum below 10 °C, since 1952

Further information

Media
(03) 9669 4057

Extremes in April 2020
Hottest day 35.9 °C at Smithville AWS on the 16th
Warmest days on average 28.1 °C at Murwillumbah (Bray Park)
Coolest days on average 8.8 °C at Thredbo AWS
Coldest day 0.1 °C at Mount Ginini AWS on the 30th
0.1 °C at Thredbo AWS on the 30th
Coldest night -4.0 °C at Thredbo AWS on the 19th
Coolest nights on average 1.8 °C at Thredbo AWS
Warmest nights on average 18.7 °C at Byron Bay (Cape Byron AWS)
Warmest night 23.7 °C at Ballina Airport AWS on the 4th
Warmest on average overall 21.8 °C at Byron Bay (Cape Byron AWS)
Coolest on average overall 5.3 °C at Thredbo AWS
Wettest overall 323.5 mm at Thredbo Village
Wettest day 93.0 mm at Quambone Station on the 10th
Strongest wind gust 128 km/h at Thredbo AWS on the 29th

Maps
ObservedAnomalyDecile rank
Total
rainfall
Map of Rainfall totals Map of Percentage of normal rainfall Map of Rainfall deciles
Mean
daily
maximum
temperatures
Map of Mean maximum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean maximum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean maximum temperature
Mean
daily
minimum
temperatures
Map of Mean minimum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean minimum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean minimum temperature

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


Record highest April daily rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Mendooran Post Office 64.0 on the 10th 63.2 on the 6th in 1892 129
Quambone Station 93.0 on the 10th 74.0 on the 8th in 1984 119
Mandurama Post Office 52.8 on the 30th 50.0 on the 20th in 1990 37
Thredbo AWS 81.6 on the 30th 74.0 on the 13th in 1998 36
Parkes Airport AWS 68.6 on the 4th 47.0 on the 5th in 1999 33
Mandagery (Rawene) 76.2 on the 4th 52.6 on the 22nd in 1998 28
Walgett Airport AWS 34.0 on the 4th =34.0 on the 14th in 2003 27
Bathurst Airport AWS 40.4 on the 4th 38.0 on the 22nd in 1998 26
Bigga (Bigga St) 42.2 on the 30th 42.0 on the 12th in 2014 26
Mudgee Airport AWS 55.2 on the 4th 46.2 on the 14th in 2003 26
Nullo Mountain AWS 67.2 on the 4th 47.0 on the 21st in 2001 26
Forbes Airport AWS 53.8 on the 10th 50.0 on the 22nd in 1998 25
Khancoban AWS 44.2 on the 30th 42.8 on the 26th in 2017 24
West Wyalong Airport AWS 39.0 on the 10th 27.0 on the 28th in 2008 22
Bathurst Stanley Street (Macquarie River 37.0 on the 30th 35.0 on the 8th in 2010 20
Chifley Dam (Campbells River (Upstream C 43.0 on the 30th 26.0 on the 4th in 2009 20
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 32.2 on the 30th 29.4 on the 22nd in 2019 20
Oberon (Mount David) 44.0 on the 30th 31.0 on the 12th in 2014 20
Tallimba (Avonlea) 38.8 on the 4th 20.8 on the 25th in 2010 20



Record highest April total rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
April
Yanco Agricultural Institute 113.4 103.4 in 1970 64 30.4
Thredbo Village 323.5 305.0 in 1974 50 114.0
Hillston ( Aldinga) 127.2 127.0 in 1974 49 28.6
Parkes Airport AWS 154.8 148.0 in 1974 33 34.2
Hay (Bedarbidgal) 136.8 106.2 in 1989 32 30.3
Alectown (Cawdor) 115.6 75.1 in 2000 28 30.5
Walgett Airport AWS 75.0 72.2 in 2003 27 21.6
Young Airport 125.4 86.0 in 2009 26 33.3
Forbes Airport AWS 186.2 72.4 in 2015 25 28.7
Mandagery (Rawene) 173.6 107.0 in 2015 25 36.4
Mudgee Airport AWS 110.0 108.4 in 2000 25 36.3
Orange Airport AWS 145.2 145.0 in 2015 25 43.4
Cobar Airport AWS 87.8 58.6 in 1998 24 21.1
Condobolin Airport AWS 123.6 58.2 in 1998 24 23.7
Khancoban AWS 171.6 129.4 in 2017 24 58.7
Cabramurra SMHEA AWS 217.4 195.0 in 2009 23 77.5
Deniliquin Airport AWS 93.4 76.4 in 1998 23 27.0
West Wyalong Airport AWS 136.6 47.8 in 2009 22 23.3
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 86.8 64.4 in 2000 20 21.9

Highest April total rainfall for at least 20 years
Observed
(mm)
Most recent
higher
Average for
April
Quambone Station 143.8 146.9 in 1926* 32.2
Gunbar (Kelsey) 121.2 127.4 in 1974 27.9
Merriwagga (Sylvanham) 135.6 139.0 in 1974 28.6
Pooncarie (Karpa Kora Station) 67.6 183.6 in 1974 17.2
Ganmain (Rosedale) 87.8 184.6 in 1974* 39.0
Hillston Airport 132.1 147.2 in 1974* 27.9
Griffith Airport AWS 106.0 170.2 in 1974* 28.9
Wakool (Barratta) 68.6 126.9 in 1974* 26.3
Deniliquin (Visitor Information Centre) 74.3 105.2 in 1974* 30.3
Narrandera Airport AWS 99.2 170.5 in 1974* 34.7
Lake Victoria Storage 65.8 98.4 in 1980 18.8
Mathoura (Mathoura Station) 92.2 96.7 in 1973* 27.4
Wentworth (Burtundy) 91.2 129.6 in 1974* 21.3
Wentworth Post Office 71.9 93.2 in 1980* 18.4
Coleambally Irrigation 89.0 117.8 in 1980* 28.3
Booligal (Belmont) 99.1 136.5 in 1988 24.4
Thredbo AWS 305.2 349.5 in 1974* 104.1
Pooncarie Mail Agency 67.5 68.8 in 1989 18.0
Tumbarumba Post Office 151.2 181.2 in 1989 66.3
Balranald (RSL) 81.2 125.7 in 1990 24.1
Barmedman Post Office 75.5 146.2 in 1990 35.4
Belfrayden (North Mayfield) 86.8 130.4 in 1990 38.6
Burrinjuck Dam 123.2 230.8 in 1990 64.4
Cobar MO 124.0 201.4 in 1990 27.4
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 136.8 293.6 in 1990 31.5
Dunedoo Post Office 156.7 160.7 in 1990 41.4
Fairlight Station 135.8 227.1 in 1990 57.2
Gilgandra (Chelmsford Ave) 154.2 191.8 in 1990 39.6
Murringo (Windermere) 118.0 267.3 in 1990 46.7
Peak Hill Post Office 105.0 323.8 in 1990 42.1
Quandialla Post Office 143.6 240.2 in 1990 41.3
The Rock Post Office 95.2 140.4 in 1990 41.6
Tootool (Toronto) 95.1 127.0 in 1990 35.9
Trangie Research Station AWS 117.6 403.5 in 1990 39.6
Tumut (Simpson Street) 108.4 134.0 in 1990 57.8
Ungarie Post Office 112.8 210.8 in 1990 32.1
Warroo (Geeron) 111.2 287.1 in 1990 33.1
Wellington (D&J Rural) 141.2 323.0 in 1990 45.1
Whitton (Conapaira St) 96.2 120.2 in 1983* 29.8
Yalgogrin North (Roloma) 91.2 155.4 in 1990 38.0
Grenfell (Manganese Rd) 125.8 344.4 in 1990* 46.8
Lake Cargelligo Airport 75.4 193.0 in 1990* 30.3
Oxley (Walmer Downs) 83.6 84.0 in 1990* 23.7
Tilpa (Trevallyn) 69.0 142.4 in 1990* 21.7
Wagga Wagga AMO 97.0 =97.0 in 1990* 40.4
Coolah (Binnia St) 136.0 159.0 in 1990* 42.9
Cowra Ag Research Station 133.1 246.8 in 1990* 42.7
Culcairn Bowling Club 106.4 115.4 in 1992 43.1
Goulburn (Cherryton) 78.7 140.5 in 1990* 43.0
Manildra (George St) 113.0 238.4 in 1990* 41.7
Rockley Post Office 104.7 245.1 in 1990* 46.7
Alectown (Vanvilla) 120.2 344.0 in 1990* 44.9
Stockinbingal (Sunnydale) 98.6 160.6 in 1990* 45.7
Brindabella (Koolami) 131.0 191.4 in 1990* 59.3
Greenethorpe (Iandra) 131.6 230.8 in 1990* 45.3
Grong Grong (Junee St) 86.6 90.0 in 1990* 34.0
Trundle (Brookview St) 101.4 342.1 in 1990* 39.1
Cowra (Billimari (Pine View)) 135.6 265.4 in 1974* 42.2
Kangiara (Laverstock) 105.8 159.0 in 1989* 48.8
Alectown (Bridgewater) 124.0 321.4 in 1990* 43.6
Ardlethan Post Office 56.8 69.8 in 1992* 34.9
Pine Ridge (Billabong) 93.0 157.2 in 1990* 34.1
Bowning (Wanganui) 125.0 164.2 in 1989* 48.9
Urana Post Office 69.7 84.6 in 1998 32.6
Morundah Hotel 121.4 152.3 in 1939* 35.1
Murrumburrah (Historical Society) 151.4 176.5 in 1990* 48.4
Carabost 141.2 150.2 in 1990* 53.3
Gulgong Post Office 113.2 118.9 in 2000 44.2
Ivanhoe (Baden Park) 82.0 84.5 in 2000 18.7
Mendooran Post Office 136.6 140.2 in 2000 39.0

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




Record highest April temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
April
Ballina Airport AWS 32.6 on the 17th 31.9 on the 15th in 2018 28 25.0
Casino Airport AWS 34.3 on the 17th 33.8 on the 4th in 2006 26 26.0



Record lowest April daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
April
Wellington (D&J Rural) 13.0 on the 30th = 13.0 on the 28th in 2008 54 24.6
Broken Hill Airport AWS 13.8 on the 30th 14.5 on the 3rd in 2014 31 24.5
Walgett Airport AWS 14.5 on the 30th 16.0 on the 30th in 1996 27 27.7
Tuggeranong (Isabella Plains) AWS 9.3 on the 30th 10.0 on the 28th in 2008 24 21.1
Coonamble Airport AWS 13.9 on the 30th 15.1 on the 21st in 2015 23 26.5
Lightning Ridge Visitor Information Cent 15.5 on the 30th 17.5 on the 21st in 2015 23 28.2
Merimbula Airport AWS 14.8 on the 30th 15.0 on the 28th in 1999 23 21.7
Tibooburra Airport 14.6 on the 30th 17.6 on the 27th in 2017 23 27.9
Albion Park (Shellharbour Airport) 15.8 on the 30th 16.4 on the 21st in 2015 21 23.3
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 13.7 on the 30th = 13.7 on the 27th in 2008 21 26.0
Wilcannia Aerodrome AWS 14.4 on the 30th 16.7 on the 27th in 2017 21 27.3
Nowra RAN Air Station AWS 13.8 on the 30th 14.4 on the 20th in 2013 20 22.9



Record highest April mean daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
April
Murwillumbah (Bray Park) 28.1 27.8 in 1986 43 26.2
Evans Head RAAF Bombing Range AWS 26.2 = 26.2 in 2016 22 24.7



Record lowest April mean daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
April
Forbes Airport AWS 21.8 22.3 in 1999 24 24.8
Cootamundra Airport 20.1 20.4 in 1996 23 22.9
Parkes Airport AWS 21.6 = 21.6 in 1999 22 24.4
West Wyalong Airport AWS 21.3 21.8 in 1999 21 24.4

Lowest April mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
lower
Average for
April
Grenfell (Manganese Rd) 20.5 20.1 in 1983* 22.7
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 22.4 22.1 in 1995 24.8
Young Airport 20.2 19.6 in 1995 22.9
Burrinjuck Dam 19.7 19.3 in 1996 21.1
Condobolin Airport AWS 22.0 21.8 in 1995* 24.9
Hillston Airport 22.5 =22.5 in 1995* 24.5
Lake Cargelligo Airport 22.5 22.4 in 1995* 25.3
Wagga Wagga AMO 20.6 20.2 in 1996 22.6
Peak Hill Post Office 22.8 =22.8 in 1995* 25.2
Griffith Airport AWS 22.0 21.7 in 1996* 24.2
Orange Airport AWS 16.6 16.5 in 1999 18.8
Walgett Airport AWS 25.7 24.3 in 1999 27.7
Wellington (D&J Rural) 22.8 22.3 in 1999 24.6
Dubbo Airport AWS 22.7 22.5 in 2000 25.0
Trangie Research Station AWS 23.1 22.7 in 2000 24.6

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




Record highest April daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
April
Ballina Airport AWS 23.7 on the 4th 23.1 on the 14th in 1998 28 15.4
Armidale Airport AWS 15.7 on the 4th 15.5 on the 23rd in 1998 26 7.9
Albion Park (Shellharbour Airport) 19.3 on the 1st 19.2 on the 7th in 2018 21 12.2
Kempsey Airport AWS 19.9 on the 4th 19.6 on the 1st in 2009 20 13.1



Summary statistics for April 2020
Maximum temperatures
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
(°C)
Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
April
2020
Diff
from
average
Highest for
April
2020
Mean for
April
2020
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
April
2020
Total for
April
2020
Average
for
April
Rank of
April
2020
Fraction of
April
average
Western (Far Northwest) (district 46)
Fowlers Gap AWS 25.2 -1.4 35.0 16th 12.9 0.0 8.3 14th 20.2 10.4 high 194%
Smithville AWS 27.1   35.9 16th 13.3   7.6 19th 15.0
Tibooburra Airport 27.1 -0.8 35.1 16th 15.4 +0.2 9.0 30th 36.8 11.9 v high 309%
Wanaaring (Borrona Downs AWS) 26.7   35.4 16th 15.3   9.7 19th 22.4
White Cliffs AWS 25.3 -1.7 35.3 16th 14.2 0.0 10.0 30th 76.0 18.5 v high 411%
Wilcannia Aerodrome AWS 24.9 -2.4 34.7 16th 12.3 +0.3 6.6 14th 54.4 18.4 high 296%
Western (Lower Darling) (district 47)
Broken Hill Airport AWS 23.7 -0.8 30.9 15th 12.2 +0.7 6.1 12th 16.2 20.1 average 81%
Lake Victoria Storage 22.3 -1.3 29.0 15th 10.6 +0.1 6.0 12th 65.8 18.8 v high 350%
Menindee Post Office 24.7 -1.0 32.2 15th 11.3 +0.3 7.5 13th 44.1 17.0 v high 259%
Mulurulu AWS 23.0   29.9 16th 10.8   6.2 12th 63.4
Pooncarie Mail Agency 24.0 -2.5 30.2 15th 11.0 -0.3 7.0 12th 67.5 18.0 v high 375%
Western (Upper Darling) (district 48)
Bourke Airport AWS 26.5 -1.8 33.7 16th 13.7 +0.2 8.4 23rd 49.6 24.3 high 204%
Brewarrina Hospital 25.7 -1.9 31.9 16th 13.1 +0.5 8.0 20th 60.8 29.4 high 207%
Cobar Airport AWS 24.2 -1.8 32.4 16th 12.3 +0.9 7.2 22nd 87.8 21.1 highest 416%
Cobar MO 23.9 -1.5 32.2 16th 12.6 -0.4 7.6 18th 124.0 27.4 v high 453%
Collarenebri (Albert St) 27.2 -0.5 32.0 1st 12.3 -0.3 5.8 20th 33.2 34.2 average 97%
Noona AWS 24.3   33.2 16th 13.1   8.0 28th 90.8
Wanaaring (Delta AWS) 26.5   34.4 16th 13.3   7.1 23rd 25.6
Western (Southwest Plains) (district 49)
Balranald (RSL) 22.4 -1.7 29.5 15th 10.7 +1.1 5.5 19th 81.2 24.1 v high 337%
Euabalong (Mount Hope AWS) 22.8   30.9 16th 9.7   3.7 18th 93.4
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 23.3 -2.7 30.8 16th 12.4 +0.1 7.1 12th 86.8 21.9 highest 396%
Central Western Plains (South) (district 50)
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 22.4 -2.4 30.0 16th 10.8 +0.7 6.3 12th 136.8 31.5 v high 434%
Condobolin Airport AWS 22.0 -2.9 29.7 16th 10.5 +0.7 6.1 14th 123.6 23.7 highest 522%
Peak Hill Post Office 22.8 -2.4 29.2 16th 12.4 0.0 7.5 19th 105.0 42.1 v high 249%
West Wyalong Airport AWS 21.3 -3.1 28.8 16th 10.1 +0.2 6.0 12th 136.6 23.3 highest 586%
Central Western Plains (North) (district 51)
Coonamble Airport AWS 24.5 -2.0 29.9 16th 12.6 +0.5 7.8 20th 93.8 37.6 high 249%
Girilambone (Okeh) AWS 24.2   31.3 16th 13.2   8.6 23rd 87.0
Trangie Research Station AWS 23.1 -1.5 28.2 1st 11.6 +0.3 6.4 19th 117.6 39.6 v high 297%
Walgett (Brewon AWS) 25.2   31.3 1st 11.9   5.0 23rd 47.2
Northwest Plains (West) (district 52)
Mungindi Post Office 28.0 +0.2 32.2 1st 14.2 +1.3 7.5 20th 20.2 30.3 average 67%
Walgett Airport AWS 25.7 -2.0 32.2 1st 12.1 +0.3 6.0 20th 75.0 21.6 highest 347%
Northwest Plains (East) (district 53)
Moree Aero 26.7 -0.7 31.2 1st 13.6 +0.8 7.1 19th 32.4 22.8 high 142%
Northwest Slopes (North) (district 54)
Barraba (Clifton Lane) 23.8 -1.3 27.8 17th 8.2 +0.3 0.8 19th 46.0 39.0 average 118%
Narrabri Airport AWS 26.1 -1.0 30.9 1st 11.9 -0.6 4.3 19th 58.4 28.2 high 207%
Northwest Slopes (South) (district 55)
Gunnedah Airport AWS 25.0 -1.6 29.3 1st 10.1 -0.8 2.8 19th 51.8 21.7 high 239%
Quirindi Post Office 24.8 -0.2 29.5 1st 9.9 +0.9 3.2 19th 54.8 41.0 high 134%
Tamworth Airport AWS 24.1 -1.5 28.6 1st 9.8 -0.3 3.7 19th 49.0 25.2 high 194%
Woolbrook (Woolbrook Road) 20.7 -0.7 26.5 2nd 8.0 +2.3 0.4 19th 60.4 40.7 high 148%
Northern Tablelands (West) (district 56)
Armidale (Tree Group Nursery) 21.2 +0.7 24.8 17th 6.2 -0.7 -1.1 19th 41.2 37.7 average 109%
Armidale Airport AWS 20.4 +0.6 24.0 2nd 8.0 +0.1 1.7 12th 54.4 35.5 high 153%
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 20.8 +0.7 24.5 1st 7.4 -0.7 0.0 20th 81.2 40.9 high 199%
Glen Innes Airport AWS 21.3 +0.5 24.5 3rd 5.8 -1.0 -1.9 19th 75.2 49.6 high 152%
Guyra Hospital 18.5 +0.4 21.9 17th 7.3 +0.3 -0.6 12th 46.6 50.0 average 93%
Inverell (Raglan St) 24.2 -0.6 27.8 1st 8.0 +0.4 1.2 19th 46.5 34.7 average 134%
Inverell Research Centre 23.7 0.0 27.5 17th 10.8 -0.3 3.8 20th 37.8 39.6 average 95%
Tenterfield (Federation Park) 22.5 +0.8 26.9 3rd 6.7 -1.8 -0.6 20th 29.4 46.6 average 63%
Northern Tablelands (East) (district 57)
Tabulam (Muirne) 24.0 +1.8 29.2 17th 14.3 +0.8 11.3 13th 17.6 93.9 v low 19%
Upper North Coast (district 58)
Ballina Airport AWS 26.4 +1.4 32.6 17th 15.3 -0.1 10.3 13th 95.8 183.9 low 52%
Byron Bay (Cape Byron AWS) 25.0 +1.0 28.7 11th 18.7 +1.1 15.0 13th 38.8 161.3 v low 24%
Casino Airport AWS 27.7 +1.7 34.3 17th 13.1 -1.1 8.7 13th 24.2 66.5 low 36%
Evans Head RAAF Bombing Range AWS 26.2 +1.5 32.9 17th 16.7 +0.2 14.0 13th 65.2 162.7 lowest 40%
Grafton Airport AWS 26.5 +0.8 31.0 17th 13.7 -0.1 8.7 13th 57.6 83.5 low 69%
Lismore Airport AWS 27.3 +1.4 33.0 17th 13.1 -1.0 7.8 13th 50.2 109.4 low 46%
Murwillumbah (Bray Park) 28.1 +1.9 32.8 17th 15.4 -0.2 10.5 20th 16.5 150.6 v low 11%
Yamba Pilot Station 25.9 +1.6 31.8 17th 17.2 +0.7 13.2 13th 85.6 160.4 low 53%
Lower North Coast (district 59)
Coffs Harbour Airport 25.6   29.7 3rd 15.1   10.2 13th 61.2
Dorrigo (Old Coramba Rd) 21.0 +1.2 27.0 17th 10.6 -0.2 5.1 13th 69.5 133.5 low 52%
Kempsey Airport AWS 26.2 +0.9 31.2 16th 13.4 +0.3 8.1 12th 34.2 68.1 average 50%
Manning (district 60)
Port Macquarie Airport AWS 25.3 +0.9 30.2 4th 14.3 +0.4 10.1 12th 62.6 131.3 low 48%
Taree Airport AWS 25.4 +1.0 30.8 16th 13.9 +0.2 9.0 13th 33.6 97.3 low 35%
Yarras (Mount Seaview) 25.8 +1.3 32.2 17th 12.7 0.0 8.2 13th 142.6 147.4 average 97%
Hunter (district 61)
Cessnock Airport AWS 24.6 +0.3 28.8 17th 11.9 +1.3 6.0 19th 40.4 54.2 average 75%
Cooranbong (Lake Macquarie AWS) 24.7 +0.4 28.9 15th 12.0 -0.1 6.4 19th 55.6 93.3 average 60%
Gosford AWS 24.1   27.6 15th 13.7   8.2 13th 39.8
Maitland Airport AWS 25.0   29.0 16th 12.6   6.1 19th 28.4
Mangrove Mountain AWS 23.2 +1.2 28.4 15th 12.2 +0.1 6.8 18th 43.0 78.9 average 54%
Merriwa (Roscommon) 23.1 -0.8 28.0 15th 9.8 +0.3 2.8 19th 84.2 33.5 high 251%
Murrurundi (Haydon Street) 23.3   26.8 1st 9.2   2.6 19th 58.2
Murrurundi Gap AWS 20.2 -0.9 23.6 15th 12.0 +0.7 6.2 12th 69.8 33.9 high 206%
Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS 24.1 +1.3 28.5 24th 16.1 +0.7 10.9 13th 32.0 116.2 low 28%
Newcastle University 25.2 +1.0 29.2 24th 14.3 +0.2 8.8 19th 45.6 123.4 low 37%
Norah Head AWS 24.4 +1.3 28.8 16th 16.4 +0.3 12.7 12th 60.2 126.3 low 48%
Paterson (Tocal AWS) 25.0 +0.7 29.6 16th 13.0 +0.4 7.1 19th 30.0 85.4 low 35%
Scone Airport AWS 24.7 +0.1 29.2 15th 10.1 0.0 3.1 19th 47.0 33.5 average 140%
Singleton Defence AWS 24.7   28.8 15th 13.3   7.1 13th 35.2
Williamtown RAAF 24.9 +1.2 30.2 16th 13.6 +0.4 6.8 13th 53.6 109.8 average 49%
Central Tablelands (North) (district 62)
Mudgee Airport AWS 21.2 -1.8 26.0 16th 8.8 +0.8 2.7 23rd 110.0 36.3 highest 303%
Nullo Mountain AWS 16.6 -0.3 22.1 15th 9.1 +0.5 2.9 12th 112.6 57.5 v high 196%
Central Tablelands (South) (district 63)
Bathurst Agricultural Station 19.6 -0.7 25.1 15th 7.1 +0.4 1.2 23rd 103.2 42.0 v high 246%
Bathurst Airport AWS 19.6 -1.3 24.9 15th 7.3 +0.8 1.4 19th 96.6 34.3 high 282%
Katoomba (Farnells Rd) 18.1 +1.3 25.7 15th 8.5 -0.3 2.0 12th 54.4 120.8 average 45%
Lithgow (Cooerwull) 18.0 -0.7 24.3 15th 7.3 -0.2 0.2 19th 79.6 57.4 high 139%
Marrangaroo (Defence) 18.1   24.6 15th 6.4   -0.2 19th 93.6
Mount Boyce AWS 17.2 -0.1 23.4 15th 9.1 +0.3 1.9 12th 50.2 63.4 average 79%
Oberon (Albion St) 16.8 -0.5 21.6 15th 6.0 +0.5 -1.8 5th 90.8 57.1 high 159%
Orange Airport AWS 16.6 -2.2 21.3 1st 7.0 +1.4 1.4 13th 145.2 43.4 highest 335%
Springwood (Valley Heights) 22.6 +0.2 27.3 24th 13.3 +0.8 8.6 12th 33.6 87.2 low 39%
Central Western Slopes (North) (district 64)
Coonabarabran (Showgrounds) 22.3 -1.6 27.5 1st 9.0 +1.9 3.8 19th 118.8 51.8 v high 229%
Coonabarabran Airport AWS 20.9 -2.1 25.7 15th 11.9 0.0 5.9 12th 146.6 38.9 v high 377%
Dunedoo Post Office 22.8 -1.6 28.2 15th 10.1 +0.2 5.0 19th 156.7 41.4 v high 379%
Central Western Slopes (South) (district 65)
Cowra Airport AWS 21.4 -2.8 27.8 1st 10.1 +1.2 5.1 12th 113.2 34.4 v high 329%
Dubbo Airport AWS 22.7 -2.3 28.0 16th 10.1 -0.3 5.0 12th 34.4
Forbes Airport AWS 21.8 -3.0 29.3 1st 10.4 +0.8 5.3 18th 186.2 28.7 highest 649%
Parkes Airport AWS 21.6 -2.8 27.8 16th 9.7 0.0 4.1 18th 154.8 34.2 highest 453%
Wellington (D&J Rural) 22.8 -1.8 28.0 16th 9.8 +0.3 5.0 19th 141.2 45.1 v high 313%
Metropolitan (East) (district 66)
Bankstown Airport AWS 24.5 +0.7 29.8 15th 12.8 0.0 8.2 13th 49.2 82.4 average 60%
Canterbury Racecourse AWS 24.2 +0.7 28.4 15th 12.0 -0.9 7.4 13th 26.0 98.0 low 27%
Holsworthy Aerodrome AWS 23.8   29.0 15th 12.1   6.7 13th 44.8
Parramatta North (Masons Drive) 24.1 +0.2 30.0 15th 12.9 0.0 7.5 12th 31.8 88.5 average 36%
Sydney (Observatory Hill) 24.4 +1.9 29.2 24th 15.8 +1.1 11.3 13th 27.6 126.5 low 22%
Sydney Airport AMO 24.8 +1.8 29.0 26th 15.4 +1.1 11.1 12th 30.8 106.0 low 29%
Sydney Harbour (Wedding Cake West) 23.0 +0.6 27.0 26th 17.1 +0.3 13.5 13th
Sydney Olympic Park AWS (Archery Centre) 24.7   28.3 26th 13.5   8.9 13th 15.8
Terrey Hills AWS 23.0 +0.7 26.8 15th 14.6 +0.6 9.2 12th 34.4 106.3 low 32%
Metropolitan (West) (district 67)
Badgerys Creek AWS 23.8 -0.3 29.8 15th 11.3 -0.2 6.5 13th 30.0 46.8 average 64%
Horsley Park Equestrian Centre AWS 23.7 -0.2 29.3 15th 12.6 -0.4 6.9 13th 53.4 69.5 average 77%
Penrith Lakes AWS 25.0 +0.3 30.2 15th 12.4 -0.8 6.8 18th 38.6 46.9 average 82%
Richmond RAAF 24.7 +0.5 29.6 15th 11.8 +0.1 5.2 18th 20.8 53.9 average 39%
Illawarra (district 68)
Albion Park (Shellharbour Airport) 23.7 +0.4 27.8 24th 12.3 +0.1 6.3 13th 61.2 71.5 average 86%
Bellambi AWS 23.1 +0.8 26.3 24th 15.8 +0.1 11.7 12th 33.8 92.7 low 36%
Camden Airport AWS 24.0 0.0 28.6 15th 10.1 -1.0 5.5 13th 40.6 65.2 average 62%
Campbelltown (Mount Annan) 23.9 -0.3 28.9 15th 10.9 -0.6 6.0 13th 40.4 58.1 average 70%
High Range AWS (Wanganderry) 17.7   24.4 15th 10.5   3.9 12th 37.6
Holsworthy Defence AWS 23.2   28.9 15th 12.3   7.4 13th 57.4
Jervis Bay (Point Perpendicular) 21.8 +0.4 26.4 16th 15.8 +0.4 11.8 13th 13.0 119.7 v low 11%
Jervis Bay NSW (Jervis Bay Airfield AWS) 21.9   26.3 16th 14.0   9.1 12th 83.6
Kiama (Bombo Headland) 22.7 +0.5 26.4 24th 15.8 +0.1 11.6 12th 36.0 85.9 low 42%
Moss Vale AWS 18.9 -0.3 25.9 15th 9.1 +0.5 1.4 19th 38.2 50.7 average 75%
Nowra RAN Air Station AWS 23.5 +0.6 29.6 16th 13.1 +0.7 8.9 13th 54.4 62.5 average 87%
South Coast (district 69)
Bega AWS 22.9 +0.6 31.0 16th 10.0 +0.5 4.2 5th 34.2 31.6 average 108%
Braidwood Racecourse AWS 18.6 -1.0 24.9 15th 7.4 +1.3 1.1 18th 40.2 40.4 average 100%
Green Cape AWS 20.6 -0.3 23.6 16th 14.6 -0.1 10.9 12th 61.6 61.1 average 101%
Merimbula Airport AWS 21.9 +0.2 31.7 16th 11.5 +0.5 6.3 27th 47.0 63.2 average 74%
Montague Island Lighthouse 21.0 +0.4 27.7 16th 16.1 +0.8 12.2 12th 116.4 80.2 high 145%
Moruya Airport AWS 22.0 -0.1 30.1 16th 12.3 +1.2 5.9 18th 51.6 49.5 average 104%
Moruya Heads Pilot Station 21.4 -0.2 29.6 16th 14.3 +2.0 10.3 12th 54.4 85.4 average 64%
Narooma (Marine Rescue) 21.7 +0.5 29.4 16th 14.0 +0.9 10.5 18th 51.1 80.4 average 64%
Nerriga AWS 18.9   24.9 15th 9.2   3.2 19th 54.2
Ulladulla AWS 21.9 +0.4 28.9 16th 15.1 +1.0 11.1 12th 75.6 98.1 average 77%
Southern Tablelands (Goulburn-Monaro) (district 70)
Bombala (Therry Street) 19.8 +1.2 28.4 15th 6.7 +1.4 0.4 25th 30.8 45.2 average 68%
Bombala AWS 18.2 +0.1 26.6 15th 7.1 +1.6 2.0 7th 28.4 37.4 average 76%
Canberra Airport 18.9 -2.3 25.8 1st 7.9 +0.9 0.6 12th 71.6 35.7 high 201%
Cooma Airport AWS 18.7 +0.5 26.4 15th 5.3 +1.5 -3.0 27th 11.0 39.4 low 28%
Goulburn Airport AWS 19.0 -1.1 24.1 16th 7.3 +1.5 -0.8 23rd 66.4 25.9 high 256%
Goulburn TAFE 18.6 -1.5 24.0 15th 9.2 +1.3 2.4 19th 74.2 43.8 high 169%
Mount Ginini AWS 10.3 -1.7 17.7 15th 3.7 -0.3 -2.3 12th 130.2 61.6 high 211%
Taralga Post Office 18.5 -0.3 24.0 15th 7.0 +0.8 0.5 13th 67.9 58.2 average 117%
Tuggeranong (Isabella Plains) AWS 19.0 -2.1 25.7 1st 7.8 +0.9 0.3 12th 80.4 34.4 high 234%
Southern Tablelands (Snowy Mountains) (district 71)
Perisher Valley AWS 10.9   18.2 1st 2.3   -2.7 7th 275.6
Thredbo AWS 8.8 -0.6 16.1 1st 1.8 +0.2 -4.0 19th 305.2 104.1 v high 293%
Thredbo Village 13.5 -0.5 21.0 15th 3.6 +1.9 -2.5 23rd 323.5 114.0 highest 284%
Southwest Slopes (South) (district 72)
Albury Airport AWS 20.3 -2.4 26.2 16th 9.3 +0.8 3.7 19th 116.4 42.4 v high 275%
Cabramurra SMHEA AWS 10.8 -2.3 17.6 15th 5.3 -0.6 -0.3 12th 217.4 77.5 highest 281%
Hume Reservoir 20.5 -1.3 25.5 16th 10.1 0.0 5.1 19th 133.0 52.5 v high 253%
Khancoban AWS 19.5 -2.3 25.7 15th 8.0 +0.8 2.2 12th 171.6 58.7 highest 292%
Tumbarumba Post Office 18.4 -1.7 24.9 1st 6.1 +1.0 -0.5 12th 151.2 66.3 v high 228%
Wagga Wagga AMO 20.6 -2.0 28.2 1st 9.5 +0.3 3.3 19th 97.0 40.4 v high 240%
Southwest Slopes (North) (district 73)
Burrinjuck Dam 19.7 -1.4 27.5 1st 9.6 0.0 4.5 12th 123.2 64.4 high 191%
Cootamundra Airport 20.1 -2.8 27.1 1st 8.1 +0.6 1.8 19th 91.9 34.1 v high 270%
Grenfell (Manganese Rd) 20.5 -2.2 27.0 1st 9.6 +0.3 3.4 19th 125.8 46.8 v high 269%
Gundagai (Nangus Rd) 21.2 -2.1 28.1 1st 9.3 +0.7 3.6 19th 72.3 31.4 v high 230%
Temora Airport 21.0 -3.1 27.8 16th 9.0 +0.3 3.5 23rd 97.0 27.2 v high 357%
Young Airport 20.2 -2.7 27.3 1st 8.1 +1.3 2.3 19th 125.4 33.3 highest 377%
Riverina (East) (district 74)
Deniliquin Airport AWS 20.5 -3.2 27.0 1st 9.8 +0.2 4.6 19th 93.4 27.0 highest 346%
Kapooka (Defence) 20.9   27.7 1st 9.3   2.6 19th 99.6
Narrandera Airport AWS 21.8 -2.1 29.1 1st 9.5 -0.2 3.9 19th 99.2 34.7 v high 286%
Tocumwal Airport 20.7 -2.5 26.8 16th 9.8 +0.1 5.3 28th 88.0 32.4 v high 272%
Yanco Agricultural Institute 21.6 -2.9 28.4 16th 11.1 -0.8 6.9 7th 113.4 30.4 highest 373%
Riverina (West) (district 75)
Griffith Airport AWS 22.0 -2.2 29.7 1st 10.2 -0.1 5.5 18th 106.0 28.9 v high 367%
Hay Airport AWS 21.4 -3.6 28.2 1st 10.1 -0.1 4.7 19th 126.8 28.6 v high 443%
Hillston Airport 22.5 -2.0 30.0 16th 11.2 +0.6 7.2 19th 132.1 27.9 v high 473%
Lake Cargelligo Airport 22.5 -2.8 30.8 16th 11.1 +0.3 7.1 19th 75.4 30.3 v high 249%
Note: From 2017, information about Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands can be found in the climate summary for the Remote Islands and Antarctica

Notes

The Monthly climate summary, generally published on the first working day of each month, lists the main features of the weather in New South Wales using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated. More extensive discussion of significant weather events, along with later information and data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 11 am on Friday 1 May 2020. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

In some situations, some or all of the rainfall is in the form of hail or snow. In these cases the totals given are for the water equivalent: the depth of liquid water that results from melting any frozen precipitation. There can be significant 'undercatch' of snow in strong winds, meaning the true precipitation can be higher than that reported.

Averages for individual sites are long-term means based on observations from all available years of record, which vary widely from site to site. They are not shown for sites with less than 10 years of record, as they cannot then be calculated reliably.
The median is sometimes more representative than the mean of long-term average rain.

The Rank indicates how rainfall this time compares with the climate record for the site, based on the decile ranking (very low rainfall is in decile 1, low in decile 2 or 3, average in decile 4 to 7, high in decile 8 or 9 and very high is in decile 10).
The Fraction of average shows how much rain has fallen this time as a percentage of the long-term mean.

Where temperature area averages are mentioned, they are derived from the ACORN-SAT dataset.

Further information

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