Tasmania in September 2015: very dry overall; above-average maximum temperatures

For most of Tasmania rainfall in September was very much below average, with large areas in the west of the State observing the lowest September rainfall on record. Maximum temperatures were above average across Tasmania, while minimum temperatures were generally slightly above average, tending below-average in the northwest of the State.

  • 5th lowest September rainfall on record
  • Above-average temperatures overall
  • Highest September temperature at several sites on the 14th

For Tasmania, rainfall was the 5th lowest September rainfall on record and lowest since 1977. Most of the State received less than 60% of the long-term monthly mean and some sites recorded their lowest total September rainfall on record. Rain that fell was associated with several cold fronts that crossed Tasmania during the month. A low pressure system that passed north of the State on the 7th resulted in rainfall totals in the 10-20 mm range with only locally higher falls. Another low pressure system crossed the State at the end of the month bringing rainfall mostly to eastern parts of Tasmania. The highest registered total for the month was 191 mm at Mount Read in the West Highlands, while the highest daily rainfall (52 mm) was recorded at Loongana on the 7th. Hobart saw 15 days with rain, most of which were light falls; the monthly total was 25 mm, about half of its long-term average, while the highest fall (10 mm) was registered on the 29th.

The statewide average maximum temperature was 0.83 °C above the September mean. The highest maximum temperatures for the month were recorded on the 13th and 14th, associated with a northerly airstream preceding an approaching cold front. Across southern parts of Tasmania maximum daily temperatures on the 14th were more than 10 °C above the September average. The highest daily maximum temperature recorded in the State during September was 27.8 °C at Bushy Park on the 14th; this was also an early season record (warmest day before 15th September anywhere in Tasmania). On the same day Hobart saw a maximum temperature of 26.9 °C, while some sites had their highest September temperature on record.

The monthly mean minimum temperature was 0.15 °C above the average for a state as a whole, the lowest for September since 2008. Most of Tasmania recorded minimum temperatures slightly above average, with below-average temperatures in parts of the north and northwest of the State. There were several cool spells during the month, most notably on the 22nd and 23rd. The lowest daily minimum temperature recorded during the month was -5.8 °C at Liawenee on the 2nd, while in Hobart it was 2.3 °C on the 4th. Mid-month saw some high minimum temperatures, associated with a warm northerly airstream, when both Hobart and Friendly Beaches recorded 15 °C, the highest daily minimum temperature during the month.

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Extremes in September 2015
Hottest day 27.8 °C at Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) on the 14th
Warmest days on average 17.1 °C at Launceston (Ti Tree Bend)
Coolest days on average 6.4 °C at Mount Wellington
Coldest day -2.0 °C at Mount Wellington on the 22nd
Coldest night -5.8 °C at Liawenee on the 2nd
Coolest nights on average -0.2 °C at Liawenee
Warmest nights on average 9.1 °C at Hogan Island
Warmest night 15.0 °C at Friendly Beaches on the 14th
15.0 °C at Hobart (Ellerslie Road) on the 15th
Warmest on average overall 12.2 °C at Friendly Beaches
12.2 °C at Larapuna (Eddystone Point)
Coolest on average overall 3.3 °C at Mount Wellington
Wettest overall 190.8 mm at Mount Read
Wettest day 52.4 mm at Loongana (Serendipity) on the 7th
Strongest wind gust 130 km/h at Hogan Island on the 7th

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

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Record lowest September total rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
September
Waratah (Mount Road) 65.2 68.8 in 1958 110 225.0
Cape Sorell 27.2 43.2 in 1900 93 121.2
Three Hummock Island 47.4 49.4 in 1944 23 75.0
Yarlington (Blacks Pinnacle) 25.0 30.8 in 2014 21 66.1
Luncheon Hill (Forestry) 59.8 103.6 in 1997 20 168.3

Lowest September total rainfall for at least 20 years
Observed
(mm)
Most recent
lower
Average for
September
Flinders Island Airport 18.2 6.1 in 1949 62.9
Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) 12.4 12.1 in 1958* 53.8
Bronte Heights 24.8 22.1 in 1958* 96.5
Colebrook (The Meadows) 19.4 5.4 in 1981* 50.8
Marrawah 49.8 40.8 in 1985 103.0
Wynyard Airport 40.4 35.5 in 1961* 95.2
Butlers Gorge 67.0 63.6 in 1978* 168.6
Strahan Aerodrome 48.8 35.2 in 1981* 150.7
Irishtown 30.2 28.6 in 1985* 117.6
Pioneer (Main Road) 38.4 16.6 in 1994 87.6
Ringarooma (Main Street) 54.4 21.0 in 1994 121.7

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




Record highest September temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
September
Strathgordon Village 24.5 on the 14th 23.9 on the 15th in 2002 34 11.6
Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) 21.2 on the 14th 20.4 on the 30th in 2001 26 11.4
Lake St Clair National Park 21.9 on the 17th 20.4 on the 30th in 2001 24 10.2
Maydena Post Office 26.9 on the 14th 26.7 on the 15th in 2002 23 13.7
Ross (The Boulevards) 22.4 on the 14th 22.2 on the 18th in 2006 22 14.5



Record lowest September daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
September
Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) 9.8 on the 22nd 10.0 on the 11th in 2013 23 13.5



Record highest September daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
September
Mount Wellington 8.6 on the 14th 8.4 on the 29th in 1999 35 -1.2



Lowest September mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
lower
Average for
September
Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) 8.0 7.0 in 1992* 8.6

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




Summary statistics for September 2015
Maximum temperatures
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
(°C)
Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
September
2015
Diff
from
average
Highest for
September
2015
Mean for
September
2015
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
September
2015
Total for
September
2015
Average
for
September
Rank of
September
2015
Fraction of
September
average
Northern (district 91)
Bridport (Sea View Villas) 15.2 +0.4 19.2 14th 6.5 -0.2 3.5 23rd 46.0 71.8 low 64%
Burnie (Round Hill) 15.2 +0.8 19.6 14th 6.7 -0.2 1.2 23rd 31.5 87.6 v low 36%
Cape Grim 12.9   16.9 14th 7.9   3.9 2nd 35.2
Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) 13.7 +0.2 17.7 14th 8.0 -0.6 4.4 2nd 36.8 75.5 low 49%
Cressy Research Station 15.7 +0.9 21.9 14th 3.1 -1.0 -2.2 2nd 23.8 61.0 v low 39%
Devonport Airport 15.0 +0.8 18.0 14th 5.5 -0.6 -0.9 23rd 27.4 74.1 low 37%
Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) 17.1 +1.5 23.6 14th 4.7 -0.5 -1.2 23rd 2.4 64.9 lowest 4%
Launceston Airport 15.9 +0.7 23.4 14th 3.7 -0.5 -1.7 23rd 45.2 58.3 low 78%
Low Head 14.1 +0.1 16.7 8th 7.7 -0.9 4.3 23rd 18.8 61.5 v low 31%
Luncheon Hill (Forestry) 13.7 +1.3 20.8 14th 5.5 +0.1 0.0 23rd 59.8 168.3 lowest 36%
Marrawah 14.0 +0.3 21.0 14th 7.0 -0.5 2.5 23rd 49.8 103.0 v low 48%
Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) 14.9 +0.6 21.0 14th 4.7 -0.1 0.8 17th 48.8 96.9 low 50%
Sheffield School Farm 13.9 +0.7 19.2 14th 4.7 0.0 -0.9 2nd 82.2 123.3 low 67%
Smithton Aerodrome 15.3 +0.4 19.4 14th 4.7 -1.6 -2.3 1st 22.6 96.6 v low 23%
Wynyard Airport 15.0 +0.6 18.5 12th 4.6 -0.4 -0.7 23rd 40.4 95.2 v low 42%
East Coast (district 92)
Bicheno (Council Depot) 15.6 -0.6 20.0 21st 7.8 +0.4 1.5 4th 47.0 44.2 average 106%
Fingal (Legge Street) 16.0 +0.6 24.3 14th 3.5 +0.2 -3.7 4th 27.2 49.2 low 55%
Friendly Beaches 16.9 +0.1 25.6 14th 7.5 -0.1 1.2 4th 60.0 38.0 high 158%
Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) 12.6 +1.2 21.2 14th 2.1 +0.1 -3.2 2nd 37.8 70.3 low 54%
Larapuna (Eddystone Point) 15.8 +0.8 21.0 13th 8.5 +0.5 4.4 2nd 35.2 63.0 low 56%
Maria Island (Point Lesueur) 14.9 -0.4 21.9 14th 8.7 +0.3 4.1 23rd 36.6 45.9 average 80%
St Helens Aerodrome 16.1 0.0 22.9 13th 6.4 -0.3 1.7 4th 51.8 51.9 average 100%
Swan Island 15.1 +0.4 20.1 14th 8.8 -0.4 5.0 23rd 13.4 53.9 v low 25%
Swansea (Francis Street) 16.3   26.9 14th 6.7   1.0 2nd 39.0
Midlands (district 93)
Ross (The Boulevards) 15.2 +0.7 22.4 14th 3.4 -0.3 -4.0 4th 28.6 51.1 low 56%
Southeast (district 94)
Campania (Kincora) 16.4 +0.2 25.4 14th 5.8 +0.4 1.0 4th 24.4 45.9 v low 53%
Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) 14.0 -0.5 25.6 14th 7.6 +0.1 4.2 23rd 47.6 72.1 low 66%
Cape Bruny Lighthouse 13.5 +0.2 25.2 14th 8.0 +1.0 4.9 23rd 46.3 81.3 low 57%
Dennes Point 14.4   20.6 14th 7.5   3.9 22nd 32.6
Dover 15.0 +0.3 25.0 14th 5.3 +0.3 0.1 4th 41.0 83.5 low 49%
Dunalley (Stroud Point) 15.1   25.4 14th 7.9   3.9 2nd 32.8
Grove (Research Station) 15.7 +0.3 27.0 14th 4.3 -0.1 -1.5 4th 29.6 80.3 v low 37%
Hobart (Ellerslie Road) 16.2 +1.1 26.9 14th 7.4 +1.0 2.3 4th 25.0 53.0 low 47%
Hobart Airport 16.2 +0.8 26.9 14th 6.5 +0.4 1.0 4th 15.8 41.2 v low 38%
Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse 11.7 -0.5 22.9 14th 7.4 +0.6 3.8 22nd 66.4 109.1 low 61%
Melton Mowbray (North Stockman) 15.3 +0.7 24.2 14th 4.5 +0.1 0.9 4th 17.2 49.0 v low 35%
Mount Wellington 6.4 +1.9 17.0 14th 0.2 +1.4 -5.1 23rd 65.4 69.8 average 94%
Tasman Island 12.3 -0.4 20.2 14th 7.2 +0.3 2.8 22nd 38.4 82.6 v low 46%
Tunnack Fire Station 13.0 +0.5 20.1 14th 3.7 +0.4 -2.6 4th 21.2 60.5 v low 35%
Derwent Valley (district 95)
Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) 17.0 +1.5 27.8 14th 4.6 +0.7 -0.6 4th 12.4 53.8 v low 23%
Maydena Post Office 15.1 +1.4 26.9 14th 4.3 +0.8 1.2 23rd 35.4 134.7 v low 26%
Ouse Fire Station 16.9 +1.2 27.1 14th 4.4 +0.5 -0.6 25th 15.6 67.8 v low 23%
Central Plateau (district 96)
Butlers Gorge 12.1 +2.0 22.4 14th 1.3 +0.3 -3.6 4th 67.0 168.6 v low 40%
Liawenee 10.6 +1.7 18.3 13th -0.2 +0.3 -5.8 2nd 59.6 114.5 low 52%
West Coast (district 97)
Cape Sorell 14.2 +1.1 19.9 14th 8.0 +0.1 4.1 4th 27.2 121.2 lowest 22%
Hartz Mountain (Keoghs Pimple) 9.9 +1.3 22.7 14th 2.4 +0.5 -1.6 23rd 69.0 97.1 low 71%
Low Rocky Point 13.7   24.5 14th 7.4   3.6 1st 64.6 131.7 v low 49%
Scotts Peak Dam 13.7 +1.4 25.2 14th 4.5 +0.1 1.0 22nd 121.0 216.3 low 56%
Strahan Aerodrome 14.8 +0.5 26.3 14th 5.8 -0.5 0.3 1st 48.8 150.7 v low 32%
Warra 12.3 +0.7 25.0 14th 3.3 -0.3 -1.1 2nd 65.8 198.5 v low 33%
King Island (district 98)
King Island Airport 14.7 0.0 23.3 14th 7.7 -0.7 3.4 25th 46.6 85.8 v low 54%
Flinders Island (district 99)
Flinders Island Airport 15.8 +0.7 24.5 13th 7.4 -0.2 -0.9 2nd 18.2 62.9 v low 29%
Hogan Island 14.9 +0.4 22.7 13th 9.1 -0.1 6.0 2nd 15.2 52.6 v low 29%
Antarctica and Macquarie Island (district 300)
Macquarie Island 4.9 -0.5 6.7 26th 1.1 -0.4 -4.1 5th 57.2 74.5 low 77%

Notes

The Monthly climate summary lists the main features of the weather in Tasmania using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated. Later information, including data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review.

A climate summary is generally published on the first working day of each month.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 12 pm on Thursday 1 October 2015. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

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.

The ACORN-SAT dataset is used for temperature area averages.

Further information

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