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New South Wales in December 2022: Drier than average towards the north-east; cooler than average

December was drier than average for north-east parts of the state while temperatures were cooler than average except for far west parts of the state where temperatures were closer to average.

Drier than average towards the north-east

  • For the state overall, total December rainfall was 29.1 mm which was 42% below the 1961–1990 average.
  • Rainfall was generally very much below the monthly average for sites in the central and northern parts of the Great Dividing Range, and their adjacent slopes and coastlines.
  • Rainfall was above average for parts of the Upper Western though this region receives relatively small totals during this time of the year.
  • On the 12th, thunderstorms with damaging winds affected New South Wales, with the SES receiving almost 300 calls for help within the space of a few hours.

Cooler than average

Further information

Media
(03) 9669 4057

Extremes in December 2022
Hottest day 43.6 °C at Smithville AWS on the 31st
Warmest days on average 35.0 °C at Smithville AWS
Coolest days on average 11.7 °C at Thredbo AWS
Coldest day -0.2 °C at Thredbo AWS on the 14th
Coldest night -7.0 °C at Perisher Valley AWS on the 9th
Coolest nights on average 3.1 °C at Thredbo AWS
Warmest nights on average 20.5 °C at Wanaaring (Borrona Downs AWS)
Warmest night 29.3 °C at Wanaaring (Borrona Downs AWS) on the 31st
Warmest on average overall 27.3 °C at Smithville AWS
27.3 °C at Wanaaring (Borrona Downs AWS)
Coolest on average overall 7.4 °C at Thredbo AWS
Wettest overall 204.6 mm at Rosebank (Repentance Creek)
Wettest day 85.2 mm at Rosebank (Upper Coopers Creek) on the 2nd
Strongest wind gust 124 km/h at Broken Hill Airport AWS on the 21st

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 lowest December daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Bombala (Therry Street) 9.5 on the 14th 10.5 on the 5th in 2013 55 23.9
Bombala AWS 8.8 on the 14th 9.1 on the 5th in 2013 32 23.2
Dorrigo (Old Coramba Rd) 12.8 on the 1st 13.3 on the 6th in 2003 26 24.0
Kempsey Airport AWS 19.2 on the 1st 19.8 on the 7th in 2003 22 28.4



Record lowest December mean daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Cooma Visitors Centre 21.8 22.0 in 2011 49 25.2
Cootamundra Airport 26.2 26.3 in 2011 27 29.5
Cabramurra SMHEA AWS 15.9 16.0 in 2008 26 18.6
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 30.0 30.1 in 2010 22 33.4
Wilcannia Aerodrome AWS 31.3 31.6 in 2010 22 34.8
Green Cape AWS 20.5 21.0 in 2021 20 22.2

Lowest December mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
lower
Average for
December
Hillston Airport 28.1 28.0 in 1964* 31.7
Cooma Airport AWS 20.9 20.8 in 1992 24.2
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 28.2 27.8 in 1992* 31.8
Lake Cargelligo Airport 28.4 28.2 in 1992* 32.5
Bombala (Therry Street) 21.1 20.9 in 1995 23.9

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




Record lowest December temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Cobar MO 8.0 on the 15th 8.1 on the 6th in 2013 61 18.9
Burrinjuck Dam 4.7 on the 15th 5.5 on the 1st in 2019 58 13.7
Barraba (Clifton Lane) 2.8 on the 16th 3.4 on the 28th in 1993 57 14.7
Dunedoo Post Office 1.2 on the 9th 3.8 on the 4th in 1987 56 15.2
Grenfell (Manganese Rd) 3.5 on the 9th 4.0 on the 6th in 1988 56 14.5
Quirindi Post Office 4.5 on the 15th = 4.5 on the 5th in 1974 56 14.8
Peak Hill Post Office 6.2 on the 15th = 6.2 on the 4th in 1987 55 17.3
Trangie Research Station AWS 6.2 on the 15th = 6.2 on the 20th in 2010 55 16.7
Brewarrina Hospital 9.0 on the 16th = 9.0 on the 5th in 1984 54 19.0
Tabulam (Muirne) 6.8 on the 2nd 9.7 on the 21st in 2010 53 16.2
Griffith Airport AWS 4.2 on the 13th = 4.2 on the 4th in 1978 47 15.4
Broken Hill Airport AWS 5.9 on the 14th 7.0 on the 27th in 1993 34 17.4
Bombala AWS -2.0 on the 10th -0.9 on the 10th in 2012 32 9.0
Mudgee Airport AWS 2.9 on the 15th = 2.9 on the 7th in 2013 32 13.8
Scone Airport AWS 5.4 on the 20th 5.6 on the 7th in 2013 32 15.4
Tamworth Airport AWS 4.6 on the 15th 5.6 on the 21st in 2010 31 15.7
Cobar Airport AWS 6.6 on the 16th 7.2 on the 7th in 2002 30 18.2
Condobolin Airport AWS 5.3 on the 10th 5.7 on the 7th in 2013 30 16.4
Walgett Airport AWS 6.7 on the 16th 6.9 on the 7th in 2013 30 18.6
Mangrove Mountain AWS 6.6 on the 15th 6.9 on the 20th in 1995 29 15.4
Casino Airport AWS 9.0 on the 20th 10.9 on the 21st in 2010 28 17.9
Cootamundra Airport 2.1 on the 9th 2.2 on the 27th in 2001 28 13.0
Glen Innes Airport AWS -1.7 on the 15th 0.0 on the 21st in 2010 27 11.5
Orange Airport AWS -0.5 on the 9th 0.0 on the 7th in 2013 27 10.6
Coonamble Airport AWS 6.8 on the 15th = 6.8 on the 20th in 2010 26 18.1
Horsley Park Equestrian Centre AWS 8.9 on the 13th 9.0 on the 26th in 2006 26 16.2
West Wyalong Airport AWS 5.5 on the 9th 5.9 on the 6th in 2013 24 15.4
Yanco Agricultural Institute 5.9 on the 15th 6.1 on the 6th in 2013 24 16.1
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 6.7 on the 10th 8.9 on the 6th in 2013 23 18.3
Gunnedah Airport AWS 4.4 on the 15th 5.0 on the 6th in 2013 22 16.5
Narrabri Airport AWS 5.6 on the 15th 6.9 on the 7th in 2013 22 18.6
Grafton Research Stn 11.0 on the 20th 11.3 on the 7th in 2013 21 18.1
Green Cape AWS 8.6 on the 14th 9.3 on the 3rd in 2019 21 15.8



Record lowest December mean daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Tenterfield (Federation Park) 9.8 11.0 in 2011 106 13.0
Wellington (D&J Rural) 11.7 12.3 in 1969 104 15.1
Cobar MO 15.7 16.3 in 1978 60 18.9
Barraba (Clifton Lane) 9.7 11.5 in 1974 56 14.7
Parramatta North (Masons Drive) 14.4 = 14.4 in 1967 55 16.3
Bankstown Airport AWS 14.7 14.9 in 2011 54 16.8
Tabulam (Muirne) 13.5 13.9 in 1999 52 16.2
Camden Airport AWS 12.6 13.0 in 1984 46 15.3
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 9.4 10.3 in 1999 46 12.2
Guyra Hospital 7.0 8.9 in 2011 35 10.9
Braidwood Racecourse AWS 7.7 8.8 in 2011 32 10.6
Bathurst Airport AWS 9.0 9.5 in 1996 31 11.8
Bombala AWS 6.5 6.9 in 2011 31 9.0
Cooma Airport AWS 5.3 6.2 in 1995 31 8.7
Goulburn Airport AWS 7.4 8.7 in 2011 31 10.8
Mudgee Airport AWS 10.3 11.4 in 1991 31 13.8
Nullo Mountain AWS 8.9 9.1 in 2011 31 11.9
Scone Airport AWS 11.7 13.2 in 2011 31 15.4
Bega AWS 11.6 11.8 in 1994 30 13.4
Tamworth Airport AWS 11.4 12.8 in 1993 30 15.7
Cobar Airport AWS 15.4 16.0 in 1995 29 18.2
Condobolin Airport AWS 12.9 14.1 in 2001 29 16.4
Dubbo Airport AWS 12.5 13.7 in 2011 29 16.0
Richmond RAAF 14.0 14.4 in 1996 29 16.2
Walgett Airport AWS 14.7 16.6 in 2011 29 18.6
Armidale Airport AWS 8.6 9.6 in 1999 28 12.1
Mangrove Mountain AWS 12.4 13.4 in 2011 28 15.4
Badgerys Creek AWS 12.8 13.8 in 1999 27 15.5
Canterbury Racecourse AWS 14.5 14.9 in 1995 27 16.9
Forbes Airport AWS 12.3 13.4 in 2005 27 15.3
Inverell (Raglan St) 10.7 11.7 in 2002 27 14.1
Moree Aero 15.3 16.4 in 1999 27 18.7
Norah Head AWS 16.7 17.0 in 1996 27 18.5
Penrith Lakes AWS 14.8 15.1 in 2011 27 17.1
Glen Innes Airport AWS 8.2 9.6 in 1999 26 11.5
Orange Airport AWS 7.0 8.4 in 2001 26 10.6
Tuggeranong (Isabella Plains) AWS 10.0 10.6 in 2001 26 12.4
Armidale (Tree Group Nursery) 7.7 9.9 in 2006 25 11.5
Bellambi AWS 15.8 = 15.8 in 2011 25 17.5
Coonamble Airport AWS 14.3 15.5 in 2011 25 18.1
Dorrigo (Old Coramba Rd) 11.3 11.7 in 1999 25 14.0
Horsley Park Equestrian Centre AWS 13.8 14.4 in 2011 25 16.2
Taree Airport AWS 14.4 15.2 in 2006 25 16.8
Merimbula Airport AWS 12.2 12.3 in 2011 24 13.8
Albion Park (Shellharbour Airport) 13.9 = 13.9 in 2011 23 15.3
West Wyalong Airport AWS 12.0 12.7 in 2001 23 15.4
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 14.7 16.2 in 2010 22 18.3
Nowra RAN Air Station AWS 12.3 13.4 in 2011 22 15.0
Wilcannia Aerodrome AWS 16.7 = 16.7 in 2001 22 18.7
Coonabarabran Airport AWS 12.4 12.7 in 2011 21 16.2
Gunnedah Airport AWS 12.4 14.3 in 2011 21 16.5
Jervis Bay (Point Perpendicular) 15.3 15.7 in 2011 21 17.0
Kempsey Airport AWS 13.6 14.1 in 2006 21 16.3
Narrabri Airport AWS 13.8 16.0 in 2011 21 18.6
Green Cape AWS 14.4 14.8 in 2011 20 15.8
Sydney Harbour (Wedding Cake West) 17.1 17.2 in 2011 20 18.9

Lowest December mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
lower
Average for
December
Coonabarabran (Showgrounds) 10.1 8.2 in 1890* 13.3
Grenfell (Manganese Rd) 10.8 10.4 in 1924* 14.5
Katoomba (Farnells Rd) 9.4 9.2 in 1924* 11.8
Burrinjuck Dam 11.9 11.2 in 1969 13.7
Sydney Airport AMO 16.5 16.4 in 1969 17.6
Paterson (Tocal AWS) 13.9 13.3 in 1967* 16.3
Trangie Research Station AWS 13.7 13.6 in 1974 16.7
Woolbrook (Woolbrook Road) 7.7 6.9 in 1974* 10.9
Hillston Airport 14.2 =14.2 in 1978* 16.4
Mungindi Post Office 15.8 14.9 in 1979* 19.1
Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS 17.0 =17.0 in 1984 18.1
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 13.1 12.9 in 1984* 15.9
Yarras (Mount Seaview) 14.4 =14.4 in 1986 16.3
Brewarrina Hospital 16.7 16.2 in 1984* 19.0
Goulburn TAFE 9.7 =9.7 in 1986* 12.0
Griffith Airport AWS 12.7 12.6 in 1986* 15.4
Broken Hill Airport AWS 15.3 14.4 in 1993 17.4
Cessnock Airport AWS 12.6 =12.6 in 1971* 15.2
Bombala (Therry Street) 7.3 6.8 in 1995 9.0
Mount Boyce AWS 9.1 9.0 in 1995 11.7
Montague Island Lighthouse 15.1 14.1 in 1995* 16.1
Moruya Heads Pilot Station 13.9 =13.9 in 1996 14.7
Ulladulla AWS 14.6 14.5 in 1996 16.0
Narooma (Marine Rescue) 13.6 =13.6 in 1996* 15.2
Nelson Bay (Nelson Head) 17.0 16.9 in 1969* 17.8
Casino Airport AWS 15.8 15.0 in 1999 17.9
Inverell Research Centre 12.4 12.2 in 1999 15.1
Albury Airport AWS 12.8 12.0 in 2001 14.1
Cabramurra SMHEA AWS 7.2 6.9 in 2001 9.2
Grafton Research Stn 16.2 15.8 in 1925* 18.1
Khancoban AWS 9.8 9.5 in 2001 11.4
Parkes Airport AWS 11.5 11.2 in 2001 14.7
Tumbarumba Post Office 9.0 8.5 in 2001 9.8
Wagga Wagga AMO 12.1 11.2 in 2001 13.9

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




Record lowest December mean temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Coonabarabran (Showgrounds) 18.3 18.5 in 2011 142 21.9
Wellington (D&J Rural) 20.1 = 20.1 in 2011 104 23.4
Grenfell (Manganese Rd) 18.7 18.9 in 1924 103 22.2
Guyra Hospital 14.0 = 14.0 in 2011 35 16.9
Bombala AWS 13.2 13.3 in 2011 31 16.1
Cooma Airport AWS 13.1 14.0 in 1995 31 16.4
Goulburn Airport AWS 15.3 = 15.3 in 2011 31 18.4
Mudgee Airport AWS 18.5 = 18.5 in 2011 31 21.4
Young Airport 17.9 18.5 in 2001 31 20.7
Condobolin Airport AWS 21.0 21.2 in 1999 29 24.3
Walgett Airport AWS 22.7 23.1 in 2011 29 26.6
Forbes Airport AWS 20.5 20.6 in 2011 27 23.6
Inverell (Raglan St) 19.1 19.2 in 2011 27 21.7
Orange Airport AWS 14.5 14.6 in 2011 26 17.7
Tuggeranong (Isabella Plains) AWS 17.0 17.4 in 2011 26 19.8
Armidale (Tree Group Nursery) 15.5 15.7 in 2011 25 18.6
Coonamble Airport AWS 21.9 = 21.9 in 2011 25 25.7
Khancoban AWS 17.7 17.9 in 2001 25 19.9
Parkes Airport AWS 19.7 20.3 in 2011 25 22.9
Taree Airport AWS 19.8 19.9 in 2011 25 22.3
Merimbula Airport AWS 17.1 17.2 in 2008 24 18.5
West Wyalong Airport AWS 20.4 21.0 in 2011 23 23.4
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 22.2 23.2 in 2010 22 25.8
Wilcannia Aerodrome AWS 24.0 24.2 in 2010 22 26.7
Kempsey Airport AWS 20.1 20.2 in 2011 21 22.4
Narrabri Airport AWS 21.9 22.0 in 2011 21 25.8
Green Cape AWS 17.5 18.0 in 2011 20 19.0

Lowest December mean temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
lower
Average for
December
Cobar MO 22.8 22.7 in 1992 25.8
Bombala (Therry Street) 14.2 13.9 in 1995 16.5
Cootamundra Airport 18.5 18.4 in 1995 21.2
Griffith Airport AWS 20.8 20.6 in 1991* 23.3
Wagga Wagga AMO 19.9 19.5 in 1995 21.8
Montague Island Lighthouse 17.9 16.6 in 1995* 19.0
Narooma (Marine Rescue) 17.4 16.8 in 1996* 18.7
Cobar Airport AWS 22.8 22.7 in 1999 25.9
Albury Airport AWS 20.1 19.6 in 2001 21.8
Cabramurra SMHEA AWS 11.6 11.5 in 2001 13.9
Hume Reservoir 20.6 20.0 in 2001 21.6
Thredbo AWS 7.4 7.3 in 2001 9.7
Thredbo Village 11.4 11.3 in 2001 12.5

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




Summary statistics for December 2022
Maximum temperatures
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
(°C)
Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
December
2022
Diff
from
average
Highest for
December
2022
Mean for
December
2022
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
December
2022
Total for
December
2022
Average
for
December
Rank of
December
2022
Fraction of
December
average
Western (Far Northwest) (district 46)
Fowlers Gap AWS 32.4 -1.8 40.5 31st 17.8 -1.9 11.0 14th 37.4 21.4 high 175%
Smithville AWS 35.0   43.6 31st 19.5   10.4 16th 5.4
Tibooburra Airport 34.0 -1.4 41.9 11th 20.1 -1.6 13.3 16th 34.8 14.6 high 238%
Wanaaring (Borrona Downs AWS) 34.2   41.6 11th 20.5   10.9 16th 5.8
White Cliffs AWS 32.5 -2.4 40.4 11th 18.4 -2.6 11.7 9th 56.6 23.5 high 241%
Wilcannia Aerodrome AWS 31.3 -3.5 40.2 28th 16.7 -2.0 8.2 9th 15.6 18.8 average 83%
Western (Lower Darling) (district 47)
Broken Hill Airport AWS 30.6 -1.0 38.6 11th 15.3 -2.1 5.9 14th 18.0 21.0 average 86%
Lake Victoria Storage     40.0 26th 15.7 +0.4 10.5 15th 7.8 20.0 average 39%
Menindee Post Office 31.2 -1.7 39.2 31st 17.1 +0.2 11.0 14th 12.8 21.6 average 59%
Mulurulu AWS 30.5   39.9 27th 14.6   7.0 10th 15.4
Pooncarie Mail Agency 31.6 -2.1 41.1 27th 15.8 -1.1 9.0 14th 25.8 21.2 high 122%
Western (Upper Darling) (district 48)
Bourke Airport AWS 32.0 -3.6 38.8 31st 18.4 -2.2 13.2 16th 8.4 32.9 average 26%
Brewarrina Hospital 30.8 -4.3 36.8 11th 16.7 -2.3 9.0 16th 42.6 38.7 average 110%
Cobar Airport AWS 30.1 -3.4 36.6 31st 15.4 -2.8 6.6 16th 38.2 26.2 average 146%
Cobar MO 29.9 -2.9 36.5 28th 15.7 -3.2 8.0 15th 52.2 35.0 high 149%
Noona AWS 30.7   38.6 28th 16.4   9.1 15th 18.8
Wanaaring (Delta AWS) 32.2   39.0 11th 16.8   7.6 13th 11.0
Western (Southwest Plains) (district 49)
Balranald (RSL) 29.6 -1.4 39.5 27th 14.6 -0.3 7.9 15th 9.0 25.8 average 35%
Euabalong (Mount Hope AWS) 29.3   37.7 28th 11.2   2.0 10th
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 30.0 -3.4 38.6 27th 14.7 -3.6 6.7 10th 5.6 18.0 low 31%
Central Western Plains (South) (district 50)
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 28.2 -3.6 36.5 26th 13.1 -2.8 5.4 15th 5.9 40.0 low 15%
Condobolin Airport AWS 29.0 -3.1 36.9 26th 12.9 -3.5 5.3 10th 25.4 35.7 average 71%
West Wyalong Airport AWS 28.7 -2.6 37.5 28th 12.0 -3.4 5.5 9th 39.8 47.6 average 84%
Central Western Plains (North) (district 51)
Coonamble Airport AWS 29.5 -3.8 35.5 29th 14.3 -3.8 6.8 15th 70.0 65.4 average 107%
Girilambone (Okeh) AWS 30.8   37.1 31st 14.2   6.2 13th 3.6
Trangie Research Station AWS 30.1 -1.9 36.7 26th 13.7 -3.0 6.2 15th 10.8 42.3 low 26%
Walgett (Brewon AWS) 31.2   37.9 29th 15.8   8.9 10th 15.2
Northwest Plains (West) (district 52)
Mungindi Post Office 33.1 -1.5 38.0 7th 15.8 -3.3 8.9 16th 22.8 51.1 average 45%
Walgett Airport AWS 30.8 -3.8 37.2 29th 14.7 -3.9 6.7 16th 13.6 46.6 low 29%
Northwest Plains (East) (district 53)
Moree Aero 30.5 -2.5 35.3 7th 15.3 -3.4 7.8 15th 67.0 66.7 average 100%
Northwest Slopes (North) (district 54)
Barraba (Clifton Lane) 28.0 -2.8 33.5 30th 9.7 -5.0 2.8 16th 26.0 77.4 low 34%
Narrabri Airport AWS 30.0 -3.1 34.8 26th 13.8 -4.8 5.6 15th 46.2 67.7 average 68%
Northwest Slopes (South) (district 55)
Gunnedah Airport AWS 29.6 -2.8 36.1 29th 12.4 -4.1 4.4 15th 39.4 81.2 low 49%
Tamworth Airport AWS 28.8 -2.0 35.4 29th 11.4 -4.3 4.6 15th 38.8 79.0 low 49%
Woolbrook (Woolbrook Road) 24.0 -2.4 30.0 29th 7.7 -3.2 -1.0 15th 72.2 101.1 average 71%
Northern Tablelands (West) (district 56)
Armidale (Tree Group Nursery) 23.4 -2.3 28.5 29th 7.7 -3.8 0.4 15th 30.0 88.2 v low 34%
Armidale Airport AWS 22.9 -2.1 28.7 29th 8.6 -3.5 2.6 15th 35.4 100.6 v low 35%
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 23.8 -0.8 28.0 7th 9.4 -2.8 3.0 15th 25.4 108.6 v low 23%
Glen Innes Airport AWS 23.8 -1.5 28.4 29th 8.2 -3.3 -1.7 15th 26.2 108.6 v low 24%
Guyra Hospital 21.0 -1.9 26.6 29th 7.0 -3.9 2.0 15th 40.2 109.2 v low 37%
Inverell (Raglan St) 27.4 -1.9 33.4 29th 10.7 -3.4 4.8 15th 23.0 109.4 v low 21%
Inverell Research Centre 27.1 -1.4 33.2 29th 12.4 -2.7 6.4 15th 23.4 97.6 v low 24%
Tenterfield (Federation Park) 24.1 -2.5 30.1 7th 9.8 -3.2 3.2 15th 60.5 105.4 low 57%
Northern Tablelands (East) (district 57)
Tabulam (Muirne) 25.3 -1.7 32.5 7th 13.5 -2.7 6.8 2nd 89.0 151.9 low 59%
Upper North Coast (district 58)
Ballina Airport AWS 25.8 -1.8 34.2 6th 17.6 -0.8 14.7 20th 119.6 147.4 average 81%
Byron Bay (Cape Byron AWS) 25.2 -1.5 30.0 8th 18.3 -1.7 14.3 20th 126.8 128.3 average 99%
Casino Airport AWS 28.7 -1.4 37.6 6th 15.8 -2.1 9.0 20th 42.6 133.9 v low 32%
Evans Head RAAF Bombing Range AWS 27.1 -1.0 38.0 6th 17.5 -1.3 13.8 20th 61.2 103.1 average 59%
Grafton Airport AWS 27.9 -1.3 35.7 6th 15.3 -2.3 9.1 20th 52.2 117.1 low 45%
Grafton Research Stn 27.5 -2.4 36.1 6th 16.2 -1.9 11.0 20th 45.8 106.6 low 43%
Lismore Airport AWS 27.5 -2.1 36.9 6th 15.5 -2.0 10.4 20th 78.8 140.6 low 56%
Murwillumbah (Bray Park) 27.2 -1.9 36.7 6th       73.1 175.5 low 42%
Yamba Pilot Station 25.8 -0.2 29.3 6th 18.4 -0.8 14.6 20th 77.8 117.5 average 66%
Lower North Coast (district 59)
Coffs Harbour Airport 25.4   29.8 12th 16.1   12.2 22nd 122.8 175.4 average 70%
Dorrigo (Old Coramba Rd) 21.1 -2.9 28.0 6th 11.3 -2.7 6.3 15th 139.9 204.1 low 69%
Kempsey Airport AWS 26.5 -1.9 31.3 11th 13.6 -2.7 8.2 15th 50.6 109.5 low 46%
Manning (district 60)
Port Maquarie (Port Macquarie Airport Aw 25.1   28.4 8th 14.6   9.0 15th 56.8
Taree Airport AWS 25.2 -2.6 29.4 26th 14.4 -2.4 9.3 22nd 69.2 90.1 average 77%
Yarras (Mount Seaview) 26.7 -2.0 32.6 11th 14.4 -1.9 9.0 15th 150.6 199.8 average 75%
Hunter (district 61)
Cessnock Airport AWS 26.7 -2.4 32.9 26th 12.6 -2.6 6.5 13th 82.8 80.1 average 103%
Cooranbong (Lake Macquarie AWS) 25.1 -2.3 31.7 24th 13.1 -3.0 8.1 13th 30.4 84.9 v low 36%
Gosford AWS 24.5   30.3 12th 15.1   11.0 13th 49.0
Maitland Airport AWS 27.6   34.5 26th 13.5   8.5 21st 31.4
Mangrove Mountain AWS 25.3 -1.2 33.6 5th 12.4 -3.0 6.6 15th 22.8 87.8 v low 26%
Merriwa (Roscommon) 27.2 -2.5 33.0 28th 10.1 -4.6 4.2 9th 43.8 74.3 average 59%
Murrurundi (Haydon Street) 26.8   32.5 25th 10.0   4.6 15th 55.7
Murrurundi Gap AWS 23.9 -2.7 30.3 29th 11.6 -3.3 6.2 20th 10.2 83.0 v low 12%
Nelson Bay (Nelson Head) 24.4 -1.7 28.5 30th 17.0 -0.8 11.5 17th 16.7 91.6 v low 18%
Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS 23.0 -1.9 31.1 24th 17.0 -1.1 11.7 17th 20.2 79.1 low 26%
Norah Head AWS 24.5 -0.6 28.9 26th 16.7 -1.8 12.0 16th 60.2 70.0 average 86%
Paterson (Tocal AWS) 27.2 -2.0 34.5 26th 13.9 -2.4 9.3 22nd 29.0 79.4 low 37%
Scone Airport AWS 28.7 -1.6 35.7 26th 11.7 -3.7 5.4 20th 10.4 73.6 v low 14%
Singleton Defence AWS 27.7   34.6 26th 14.2   10.1 21st 16.0
Williamtown RAAF 26.0 -1.4 33.0 26th 14.9 -1.7 9.5 22nd 19.2 77.1 v low 25%
Central Tablelands (North) (district 62)
Mudgee Airport AWS 26.7 -2.2 34.5 26th 10.3 -3.5 2.9 15th 19.2 75.2 v low 26%
Nullo Mountain AWS 19.8 -2.7 27.3 28th 8.9 -3.0 3.0 15th 35.6 88.7 low 40%
Central Tablelands (South) (district 63)
Bathurst Airport AWS 24.6 -2.2 32.1 28th 9.0 -2.8 1.8 9th 19.0 69.5 v low 27%
Katoomba (Farnells Rd) 21.2 -1.3 31.5 28th 9.4 -2.4 3.4 15th 34.5 121.0 low 29%
Lithgow (Cooerwull) 21.4 -3.0 29.2 25th 8.3 -3.2 1.9 9th 73.8 79.1 average 93%
Marrangaroo (Defence) 21.6   29.2 28th 6.9   0.1 15th 36.2
Mount Boyce AWS 20.8 -1.9 29.4 28th 9.1 -2.6 3.1 15th 28.2 83.9 v low 34%
Orange Airport AWS 22.0 -2.9 29.8 26th 7.0 -3.6 -0.5 9th 33.4 83.6 low 40%
Central Western Slopes (North) (district 64)
Coonabarabran (Showgrounds) 26.5 -4.1 33.0 29th 10.1 -3.2 4.9 13th 30.6 70.1 low 44%
Coonabarabran Airport AWS 25.8 -3.5 32.7 29th 12.4 -3.8 6.7 9th 37.4 84.9 low 44%
Central Western Slopes (South) (district 65)
Cowra Airport AWS 27.5 -3.4 36.2 26th 10.6 -3.9 3.4 9th 19.6 59.4 low 33%
Dubbo Airport AWS 28.8 -2.7 36.2 26th 12.5 -3.5 5.3 9th 6.4 59.8 low 11%
Forbes Airport AWS 28.7 -3.1 36.4 26th 12.3 -3.0 6.4 9th 26.0 50.1 average 52%
Parkes Airport AWS 27.8 -3.3 35.0 26th 11.5 -3.2 3.4 9th 27.4 52.0 low 53%
Wellington (D&J Rural) 28.6 -3.0 36.4 26th 11.7 -3.4 4.0 9th 32.2 56.2 average 57%
Metropolitan (East) (district 66)
Bankstown Airport AWS 26.3 -1.2 34.8 24th 14.7 -2.1 10.0 15th 24.2 66.5 low 36%
Canterbury Racecourse AWS 24.8 -1.8 32.1 24th 14.5 -2.4 8.9 13th 34.0 63.9 low 53%
Holsworthy Aerodrome AWS 25.7 -2.7 34.0 24th 13.8 -2.9 8.9 17th 35.6 54.4 low 65%
Parramatta North (Masons Drive) 25.8 -1.8 34.0 24th 14.4 -1.9 9.4 15th 19.8 71.7 low 28%
Sydney (Observatory Hill) 25.1   29.7 24th 16.4   12.5 16th 78.2
Sydney Airport AMO 24.9 -1.0 32.4 12th 16.5 -1.1 12.3 16th 46.8 72.6 average 64%
Sydney Harbour (Wedding Cake West) 21.6 -2.0 29.2 12th 17.1 -1.8 13.2 16th
Sydney Olympic Park AWS (Archery Centre) 25.9 -1.8 33.7 24th 15.1 -2.5 10.1 13th 29.8 73.8 v low 40%
Terrey Hills AWS 23.7 -1.8 29.4 24th 14.6 -2.1 10.0 16th 34.6 87.9 low 39%
Metropolitan (West) (district 67)
Badgerys Creek AWS 27.3 -1.3 35.8 24th 12.8 -2.7 8.5 15th 0.6 54.5 v low 1%
Horsley Park Equestrian Centre AWS 26.3 -2.1 34.4 24th 13.8 -2.4 8.9 13th 15.4 64.2 low 24%
Penrith Lakes AWS 28.3 -1.3 36.6 24th 14.8 -2.3 10.2 15th 14.6 63.2 v low 23%
Richmond RAAF 27.8 -1.2 35.6 26th 14.0 -2.2 8.4 15th 15.6 67.6 v low 23%
Illawarra (district 68)
Albion Park (Shellharbour Airport) 24.4 -1.2 30.1 24th 13.9 -1.4 9.9 14th 47.8 63.2 low 76%
Bellambi AWS 22.5 -1.4 27.2 11th 15.8 -1.7 11.9 16th 48.2 74.3 average 65%
Camden Airport AWS 26.6 -2.0 34.9 24th 12.6 -2.7 8.0 14th 17.2 56.6 low 30%
Campbelltown (Mount Annan) 26.7 -1.6 35.6 24th 12.3 -3.0 6.2 15th 17.0 56.7 v low 30%
High Range AWS (Wanganderry) 21.3   30.8 28th 9.7   5.0 15th 84.0
Holsworthy Defence AWS 25.4   34.7 24th 13.1   8.9 17th 22.4
Jervis Bay (Point Perpendicular) 21.5 -2.0 29.0 24th 15.3 -1.7 11.8 16th 46.8 77.8 low 60%
Jervis Bay NSW (Jervis Bay Airfield AWS) 22.5   28.8 24th 14.2   10.0 9th 37.6
Kiama (Bombo Headland) 22.3 -1.5 27.1 7th 15.6 -1.7 12.2 16th 41.8 72.9 low 57%
Moss Vale AWS 21.7 -2.5 30.9 26th 10.1 -2.2 5.0 15th 73.4 60.1 average 122%
Nowra RAN Air Station AWS 25.1 -1.0 34.5 5th 12.3 -2.7 8.5 16th 55.4 72.9 average 76%
South Coast (district 69)
Bega AWS 24.1 -1.0 33.8 28th 11.6 -1.8 3.8 10th 32.4 64.7 average 50%
Braidwood Racecourse AWS 21.8 -2.9 32.1 28th 7.7 -2.9 1.7 9th
Green Cape AWS 20.5 -1.7 24.0 7th 14.4 -1.4 8.6 14th 27.8 50.1 average 55%
Merimbula Airport AWS 22.1 -1.2 26.8 28th 12.2 -1.6 7.0 13th 39.6 65.1 average 61%
Montague Island Lighthouse 20.8 -1.0 25.9 12th 15.1 -1.0 11.2 14th 20.2 65.7 low 31%
Moruya Airport AWS 22.7 -1.2 27.5 24th 12.9 -1.4 5.3 9th 51.0 78.3 average 65%
Moruya Heads Pilot Station 21.6 -1.2 25.7 12th 13.9 -0.8 8.3 9th 55.8 75.7 average 74%
Narooma (Marine Rescue) 21.3 -0.8 26.6 12th 13.6 -1.6 8.5 9th 23.9 73.5 low 33%
Nerriga AWS 22.7   32.7 28th 8.7   2.2 9th 27.6 62.7 low 44%
Ulladulla AWS 21.6 -1.5 27.1 7th 14.6 -1.4 10.2 16th 66.8 73.4 average 91%
Southern Tablelands (Goulburn-Monaro) (district 70)
Bombala (Therry Street) 21.1 -2.8 32.0 26th 7.3 -1.7 -0.4 10th 72.8 64.1 average 114%
Bombala AWS 20.0 -3.2 30.9 27th 6.5 -2.5 -2.0 10th 76.8 57.4 high 134%
Canberra Airport 23.9 -3.6 33.6 26th 8.6 -3.5 0.9 9th 47.0 73.9 average 64%
Cooma Airport AWS 20.9 -3.3 30.5 26th 5.3 -3.4 -3.1 10th 45.6 54.3 average 84%
Cooma Visitors Centre 21.8 -3.4 32.0 27th     -0.5 10th 15.6 56.3 v low 28%
Goulburn Airport AWS 23.3 -2.7 33.2 26th 7.4 -3.4 0.6 17th 45.6 56.4 average 81%
Goulburn TAFE 22.8 -3.2 32.6 26th 9.7 -2.3 4.1 15th 44.0 62.0 average 71%
Mount Ginini AWS 15.0 -3.0 22.7 27th 4.9 -2.5 -2.2 14th 77.6 105.2 average 74%
Tuggeranong (Isabella Plains) AWS 24.0 -3.2 32.9 26th 10.0 -2.4 2.7 15th 35.2 66.7 average 53%
Southern Tablelands (Snowy Mountains) (district 71)
Perisher Valley AWS 14.5 -2.6 23.7 27th 3.2 -1.9 -7.0 9th 168.6 164.4 average 103%
Thredbo AWS 11.7 -2.7 20.7 27th 3.1 -1.9 -5.5 9th 156.2 116.2 high 134%
Thredbo Village 17.7 -1.7 26.4 27th 5.4 -0.2 -2.5 19th 162.4 124.9 high 130%
Southwest Slopes (South) (district 72)
Albury Airport AWS 27.4 -2.2 37.0 26th 12.8 -1.3 4.7 15th 22.6 41.9 low 54%
Cabramurra SMHEA AWS 15.9 -2.7 25.2 27th 7.2 -2.0 -0.8 14th 118.6 90.1 average 132%
Hume Reservoir 27.0 -1.7 36.1 27th 14.1 -0.4 5.6 15th 18.4 49.3 low 37%
Khancoban AWS 25.7 -2.8 35.1 26th 9.8 -1.6 2.9 9th 69.6 74.6 average 93%
Tumbarumba Post Office 24.8 -1.4 33.5 26th 9.0 -0.8 1.5 15th 69.0 70.9 average 97%
Wagga Wagga AMO 27.6 -2.0 36.2 28th 12.1 -1.8 4.1 9th 47.4 45.8 average 103%
Southwest Slopes (North) (district 73)
Burrinjuck Dam 26.2 -1.5 36.6 26th 11.9 -1.8 4.7 15th 29.8 63.1 low 47%
Cootamundra Airport 26.2 -3.3 35.0 27th 10.7 -2.3 2.1 9th 60.9 52.7 average 116%
Grenfell (Manganese Rd) 26.7 -3.3 35.7 26th 10.8 -3.7 3.5 9th 39.0 55.2 average 71%
Temora Airport 28.1 -2.9 36.7 28th 11.5 -2.6 3.8 9th 28.8 41.1 average 70%
Young Airport 26.3 -3.1 35.5 26th 9.5 -2.6 1.0 9th 45.8 55.0 average 83%
Riverina (East) (district 74)
Deniliquin Airport AWS 29.0 -1.7 39.0 27th 13.3 -0.9 5.5 14th 16.6 28.8 average 58%
Kapooka (Defence) 28.2   37.4 28th 11.5   2.1 15th 44.0
Yanco Agricultural Institute 29.7 -1.1 38.5 26th 13.7 -2.4 5.9 15th 23.0 32.3 average 71%
Riverina (West) (district 75)
Griffith Airport AWS 29.0 -2.1 38.2 28th 12.7 -2.7 4.2 13th 9.2 32.5 low 28%
Hay Airport AWS 30.0 -2.2 39.6 26th 12.9 -2.9 5.1 15th 12.6 31.9 low 39%
Hillston Airport 28.1 -3.6 38.0 27th 14.2 -2.2 6.0 15th 11.2 30.0 average 37%
Lake Cargelligo Airport 28.4 -4.1 37.8 28th 14.2 -2.6 6.6 15th 24.8 36.8 average 67%
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 Tuesday 3 January 2023. 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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