Monday, 3 June 2013 - Seasonal Climate Summary for NSW - Product code IDCKGC15R0

NSW in autumn 2013: A dry autumn with early rain.

• Below average rainfall, driest in the south
• Above average maximum temperatures, close to average minimum temperatures

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Rainfall

NSW recorded a statewide average rainfall of 101.4 mm during autumn 2013, well below the historical average of 142.7 mm and the driest autumn since 2008. The Murray Darling Basin also recorded 81.8 mm during autumn (average 119 mm). Rainfall was average to below average across most of the state, with driest conditions in the southern regions.

In inland NSW, most of the rain fell associated with a strong cold front and surface trough at the beginning of March, which produced widespread falls greater than 25 mm in northern and eastern NSW, including 4-day rainfall totals of 539.2 mm at Yarras. Two weaker troughs also produced widespread rain in inland NSW on 13/14 and 22/23 May. Most of NSW recorded less than 25 mm of rain between 4 March and 12 May, with large areas of the state recording April rainfall in the lowest decile.

Coastal NSW recorded closer to normal rainfall during the season, with onshore winds producing coastal showers while two East Coast Lows generated widespread coastal totals above 25 mm. The first, on 20-21 April, produced heaviest falls on the south coast, with widespread totals above 50 mm and 2-day totals reaching 226.2 mm at Ulladulla. The second, on 24-25 May, generated widespread totals above 25 mm, with two-day totals above 100 mm on the Mid North Coast, reaching 364.6 mm at Fishermans Reach.

Some sites had their highest autumn daily rainfall on record.

Temperature

NSW recorded a statewide average maximum temperature of 24.8 °C during autumn, 0.8 °C above the historical average. Temperatures were warmest in western NSW and coolest in the northeast, a pattern consistent throughout the season, with warmest days during April when rainfall was lower. There were several notable warm events during the season, with temperatures reaching 40.9 °C at Fowlers Gap on 28 March, the latest such warm day on record for NSW, while Broken Hill recorded its latest warm spell on record with eight consecutive days above 30 °C between 7-14 April.

The average minimum temperature was 11.3 °C, equal to the historical average. Nights were warmer than normal during March but cool during April and May, associated with generally clear conditions. The mean temperature was consequently 18 °C, 0.4 °C above the historical average.

Some sites had their coldest autumn day (lowest maximum temperature) on record. Some sites had their lowest autumn temperature on record.

Other phenomena

Severe thunderstorm activity in parts of the Riverina region on 21 March generated a tornado that caused major damage to the border towns of Barooga and Mulwala.

Tropical Cyclone Sandra caused wind gusts of up to 146 km/h and minor damage as it passed Lord Howe Island overnight on the 14 March.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Maps
	Observed	Anomaly	Decile rank
Total rainfall
Mean daily maximum temperatures
Mean daily minimum temperatures

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Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top