Thursday, 2 February 2023 - Monthly Climate Summary for Tasmania - Product code IDCKGC17R0

Tasmania in January 2023: Dry and warm with patchy storms

January was drier and warmer than average with patches of heavy rain and periods of cold weather. Thunderstorms brought the highest falls. Temperatures were up to 12 °C above average on the 13th.

Below average rainfall across the west, south and central parts

• For Tasmania overall, the January total rainfall of 39.94 mm was 46.8% below the 1961-1990 January average.
• The west, south and central parts had below average rainfall with areas along the west coast very much below average.
• Significant severe thunderstorms were observed about the south-east on 2 January. Large hail was reported at Campania and Primrose Sands.
• The wettest day was the 24th to 9 am, with patchy storms bringing 15-25 mm across the south-west and up to 41 mm at Ouse, where 28.6 mm was recorded in 30 minutes. This was the highest January daily rainfall on record for Ouse Fire Station, from 25 years of data.
• Ouse Fire Station also had its highest total January rainfall on record.
• Fortescue Bay had its lowest total January rainfall on record.
• Whitemark Post Office, Hermitage (Shannon River) and Bothwell (Clyde River) had their lowest total January rainfall for at least 20 years.

Warmer than average days statewide

• For Tasmania overall, the mean maximum temperature of 21.94 °C was 2.18 °C above the 1961-1990 January average, making it the 9th warmest January since comparable records began in 1900. At 10.65 °C, overnight temperatures were 1.38 °C above the January average.
• High pressure systems over the Tasman Sea brought northerly winds and high temperatures across Tasmania. Low to isolated severe heatwave warnings were issued for 1-2 January and again for 12, 13, 14 January. It was hot in the south and west on the 17th. A series of cold fronts brought low temperatures across the state from 3-5 January and again on 18 and 26 January.
• Low Head had its highest January temperature on record on the 15th.
• Cape Sorrell and Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse had their highest January mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years.
• Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse also had its highest January mean daily minimum temperature on record.
• Cape Sorell and Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse had their highest January mean temperature for at least 20 years.

Hobart (Ellerslie Road)

• Total rainfall for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 11.0 mm, which is 24% of the long-term average of 46.7 mm.
• The mean daily maximum temperature for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 23.5 °C, which is 1.7 °C above the long-term average of 21.8 °C.
• The warmest day was 32.3 °C on the 28th, and the coolest day was on the 3rd when the temperature reached 15.1 °C.
• The mean daily minimum temperature for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 14.2 °C, which is 2.2 °C above the long-term average of 12.0 °C.
• The coldest morning was 9.7 °C on the 5th, and the warmest morning was on the 2nd when the minimum temperature was 20.1 °C.

High fire danger conditions

• High fire danger conditions were forecast for 14-18 January for the Upper Derwent Valley and for 15 and 18 January in most districts, with pockets of extreme fire danger in some fuel types. High danger was again forecast in most districts on 28 January.

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

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

* 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