Thursday, 6 January 2022 - Monthly Climate Summary for Tasmania - Product code IDCKGC17R0

Tasmania in December 2021: very dry and warm

December rainfall was very much below average for most parts and sixth-lowest on record for the state overall. Daytime temperatures were warmer than average state-wide, but night-time temperatures were close to average in most areas.

Very dry for most of the state

• December rainfall was 67% below average for Tasmania, the sixth-lowest on record since 1900.
• It was the state's driest December since 1994.
• Several stations had their driest December on record including Flinders Island Airport, Whitemark Post Office and Barrington Post Office, all with more than 50 years of records.
• On the 19th there were strong winds across Tasmania, and moderate rainfall totals over the west as a cold front crossed south-eastern Australia. Wind gusts over 100 km/h were recorded at Cape Grim, kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle), and Scotts Peak Dam.
• Tasmania had many dry days in December and when it did rain it was mostly sparse with light daily rainfall totals generally below 5 mm.
• The Southern Annular Mode was in a strong positive phase at times during December—a positive Southern Annular Mode during summer increases the chance of below average rainfall for western Tasmania.

Warm days

• The mean maximum temperature for Tasmania as a whole was 1.68 °C warmer than average.
• Days were warmer than average across the state, except for King Island where maximum temperatures were more typical for December.
• The mean minimum temperature for Tasmania was close average (0.01 °C above average), although nights were warmer than usual along the north coast.
• A couple of sites had their lowest December temperature on record on the 5th associated with a high pressure system, and their lowest December mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years.

Hobart (Ellerslie Road)

• Total rainfall for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 40.8 mm, which is 72% of the long-term average of 56.3 mm.
• The mean daily maximum temperature for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 21.1 °C, which is 0.7 °C above the long-term average of 20.4 °C.
• The warmest day was 32.1 °C on the 18th, and the coolest day was on the 4th when the temperature reached 15.1 °C.
• The mean daily minimum temperature for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 11.4 °C, which is 0.5 °C above the long-term average of 10.9 °C.
• The coldest morning was 5.4 °C on the 5th, and the warmest morning was on the 25th when the minimum temperature was 16.2 °C.

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 lower value has gone unreported

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top