Thursday, 1 October 2020 - Monthly Climate Summary for New South Wales - Product code IDCKGC15R0

New South Wales in September 2020: warm across the state

September daytime and night-time temperatures were generally above average across New South Wales. For the state as a whole, September monthly mean and minimum temperatures were both fourth warmest on record. September rainfall was above average in the west, but average to below average in coastal areas.

Above average rainfall in the west

• September rainfall was above average for much of western New South Wales, but below average in southern and north-eastern coastal areas.
• For the state as a whole, rainfall was around 7% below the historical average, although it was the wettest September since 2016.
• A trough of low pressure brought widespread totals of 25 to 50 mm to much of the west on the 19th and 20th.
• Rainfall from this system was the most significant for the region since March, and saw the highest September totals since 2016.
• Two sites had their highest September daily rainfall on record.

Warm across the state

• Both daytime and night-time temperatures were above average to very much above average for almost all of the state except for parts of the Central and South West Slopes.
• For the state as a whole, the mean maximum temperature was 2.32 °C above the historical average, the 11th warmest September on record.
• The state-average minimum and mean temperatures were 2.13 °C and 2.22 °C above average respectively; both were the fourth warmest Septembers on record and the warmest since 2013.
• North-westerly flow in the middle of the month brought particularly warm conditions to the north-east.
• Maximum temperatures on the 21st were 6 to 10 °C above average across most of the north-east, while on the 22nd some sites reported their warmest September night on record.
• The warmer nights resulted in some sites having their highest September mean daily minimum temperature on record or their highest September mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years.

A cold blast at the end of the month

• A strong cold front on over the 25th to 26th brought a cold outbreak with damaging winds and some snow.
• Maximum temperatures on the 25th were 6 to 10 °C below average over the Riverina and South West Slopes.
• The cold outbreak was unusually late in the year, that saw two sites have their coldest September day on record.
• On the 25th damaging winds were observed through parts of the Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and Sydney Metropolitan area.
• Some snow was reported in the ranges, including at Orange, Oberon and Barrington Tops.
• The system brought 15 to 50 mm of rain to the South West slopes over the 25th to 26th.

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

* 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