Friday, 1 April 2016 - Monthly Climate Summary for Tasmania - Product code IDCKGC17R0

Tasmania in March 2016: another warm month

March was another warm month for Tasmania, with overnight temperatures especially mild in the first half of the month. There were a few days of localised heavy rain in the northeast, but the southwestern half of the State had less rain than usual for the time of year.

• Warm nights, especially in the east
• Warm days in the first half of the month
• Cooler weather from 18th to 30th
• Rain below average in the southwestern half
• Heavy rain at some spots in the northeast

The first half of March 2016 brought a continuation of the above-average temperatures that have been common in Tasmania through spring and summer. Nights were especially mild, particularly in the first part of the month and especially in the northeast. Daytime temperatures were also above average most of the time, although there were some cool spells around the 18th and 27th. Overall, mean maximum temperatures were above average across the State, typically by around a degree, whilst mean minimum temperatures were above average by a bit over a degree at most sites. This March was about one to three degrees warmer than March last year, and for many coastal areas mean minimum temperatures this March were more typical of what might be expected in January.

A low which developed on a trough in moist northeasterly winds brought localised heavy rain to the northeast corner on the morning of the 11th, with Larapuna (Eddystone Point Lighthouse) recording 128 mm (a March record for the site), leading to its wettest March since 1931 and it being the wettest spot in the State this March. There were gusty winds and statewide rain as a cold front and associated low crossed on the 18th, with moderate falls in the west and localised heavy falls in the northeast: Bridport had its wettest March day on record with 76 mm to 9 am on the 19th. Another front on the 26th brought moderate falls to the west, but very little elsewhere. Totals for the month were well above average in a small patch of the northeast, but below average across the southwestern half of the State.

Hobart

Hobart's rain for the month was 17 mm, below the March average of 45 mm, and there was no measurable rain after the 20th. The mean daily maximum of 21.6 °C was 1.4 °C above average, whilst the mean daily minimum of 12.5 °C was 1.6 °C above average. These averages are more typical of January than March. The temperature in Hobart exceeded 28 °C four times during the month (on the 1st, 2nd, 9th and 17th) and even on the coldest day (the 20th) it reached 15.7 °C. There were several cool nights toward the end of the month, with the temperature dipping to 7.2 °C on the morning of the 29th. This was the only temperature below 8 °C, compared to a March average of about five such cool mornings.

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

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top