Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - Seasonal Climate Summary for Sydney - Greater Sydney - Product code IDCKGC25L0

Sydney's 21st winter with above average temperatures

• 21st consecutive winter with above average day-time temperatures
• Wettest winter since 2007
• Warm nights

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Rainfall

Sydney Observatory Hill recorded 288.8 mm of rain during winter 2010, which is slightly below the historical average of 310.0 mm, and the wettest since 2007 (730.0 mm). The majority of the rain fell in the early part of the season, with above average rainfall in both June and July but below average rainfall during August. Eight days during the season had rainfall of over 10 mm, approximately average for winter, with the most significant falls associated with an East Coast Low between the 4th and 5th of June, reaching 114.4mm at Collaroy on the 5th.

Temperature

Average maximum temperatures during winter at Sydney Observatory Hill were 17.7°C, 0.7°C above the historical winter average of 17.0°C. It has now been over twenty years since Sydney last experienced below average winter maximums in 1989 (16.8°C). This is unprecendented in the historical record for Sydney Observatory Hill (records since 1939). Temperatures were fairly consistent across the metropolitan region, although Prospect Reservoir recorded its lowest winter maximum temperature since 1990.

Average minimum temperatures at Sydney Observatory Hill were 9.4 °C during winter 2010, 0.7 °C above the historical average of 8.7°C. Most of the Sydney Basin also recorded warmer than average winter nights, except western areas which reported cooler than average temperatures. Temperatures were coolest during late June and July. Prospect Reservoir recorded its coldest night on record on June 30th (-0.8 °C), and temperatures reached as low as -4.8°C at Richmond on the same night.

Wind

Prevailing winds during winter were northwesterly to southwesterly, forming 85% of morning winds and 50% of afternoon winds, which is approximately average for winter. The strongest wind gust was 107km/hr at Sydney Airport on August 3rd, associated with a coastal low pressure system.

Other phenomena

Sydney Airport recorded an average of 6.7 hours of sunshine during winter, slightly below the historical average of 6.8 hours. This was a result of the well below average sunshine hours and cloudy conditions experienced during July, with both June and August recording above average sunshine. Four thunderstorms were reported at Sydney Airport during winter, which is approximately average for the season.

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top