Thursday, 6 January 2022 - Monthly Climate Summary for New South Wales - Product code IDCKGC15R0

New South Wales in December 2021: cool and wet along the coast, warmer inland

New South Wales in December was generally cool and wet along the coast, but warmer and drier inland of the Dividing Range. Temperatures were generally mild, although there were hot days in the middle of the month ahead of a cold front. Thunderstorms and strong winds affected eastern areas on several occasions.

Wetter than average

• For the state as a whole, 56.6 mm of rain fell in December, 13% above the 1961–1990 average.
• December rainfall was above average in coastal areas and the state's north.
• Rainfall was below average for some areas inland of the Dividing Range, particularly the far west of the state.
• Two sites had their highest total December rainfall on record.
• Some sites, including Sydney (Observatory Hill), had their highest total December rainfall since 1992.
• On the 1st, a surface trough over northern New South Wales generated widespread showers and thunderstorms, with daily totals of 50–100 mm in the Northern Rivers area.
• Thunderstorms affected parts of the Sydney region on the 3rd and the 7th.
• A deep surface trough crossed New South Wales from the 8th to the 10th, bringing heavy rainfall to many areas, particularly along the South Coast.
• The heavy rain caused some flooding in areas heavily impacted by their wettest November on record.
• The highest daily total was 249.0 mm at Bendalong STP in the 24 hours to 9am on the 10th, and several other sites also had their highest December daily rainfall on record.
• On the 15th, a line of severe thunderstorms and strong winds brought down trees across Canberra, resulting in widespread power outages.
• A cold front moved up the coast on the 26th and 27th with storms and moderate rainfall, and 38 yachts (out of 88 starters) retired from the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Cool along the coast, warmer inland

• For New South Wales overall, the mean temperature was 0.34 °C above the 1961–1990 average.
• Daytime temperatures were generally below average in coastal areas but warmer inland, particularly the far west of the state.
• A deep surface trough over the South Coast on the 10th resulted in maximum temperatures more than 10 degrees below the December average.
• Merimbula had its coldest December day on record on the 10th, while the 14.1 °C at Canberra Airport was its coldest December day since 1987.
• The warmest day of the month was the 18th, when hot air crossed the state ahead of a strong cold front.
• Mean minimum temperatures were above average in the far west of the state and in the Hunter and Mid North Coast, and below average in parts of the Central and South West Slopes.

A strong cold front

• A strong cold front crossed the state on the 19th, with gusts over 100 km/h recorded at a number of locations.
• The wind damaged houses and uprooted trees in a number of towns including Lithgow.
• A line of thunderstorms brought heavy rain and localised flooding around Albury.
• In Sydney's Northern Beaches, the State Emergency Service received almost 600 requests for assistance due to damage from a severe thunderstorm.

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