New South Wales in spring 2020: very warm with some rain

Spring was very warm across New South Wales, particularly at night. The spring mean temperature was the fifth warmest on record, and minimum temperatures were the warmest since 1914. Spring rainfall was below average in the north-east, and above average in the far west of the state.

Dry in the north-east, wet in the far west

  • Spring rainfall was below average in the north-east of the state, and above average in the far west.
  • A series of troughs brought widespread above average rainfall totals in October, including bursts of very heavy rain to coastal areas south of the Mid-North coast late in the month.
  • Smiths Lake on the Mid-North Coast recorded 209.8 mm in the 24 hours to 9am on 27 October, one of several sites that had their highest spring daily rainfall on record.
  • Mild to warm settled conditions for much of November, with a slow moving high in the Tasman Sea, brought below average rainfall for the month, particularly in the north-east.
  • Spring rainfall for the state as a whole was 5% below average, this is more than twice as much rain as that recorded in spring 2019.
  • A few sites had their highest total spring rainfall on record or highest for at least 20 years.
  • January to November rainfall for the state as a whole was above average.

Very warm days and nights

  • Daytime and night-time temperatures were above average to very much above average across the state.
  • For the state as a whole the mean temperature was 2.23 °C above average, the fifth warmest on record and the warmest spring since 2015.
  • Nights were particularly warm, at 1.99 °C above average the state mean minimum temperature was the warmest since 1914.
  • Many sites had their highest spring mean daily minimum temperature on record or highest for at least 20 years.
  • A strong cold front over 25 and 26 September brought a cold outbreak with damaging winds and some snow.
  • The cold outbreak was unusually late in the year, that saw two sites have their coldest spring day on record.

Severe heatwave conditions at the end of November

  • A heat trough over central Australia combined with two frontal systems brought dangerously hot and windy conditions to much of New South Wales at the end of November.
  • Severe to extreme heatwave conditions occurred in west and north-east of the state, extending to the Sydney region, over 28 and 29 November.
  • On 28 November many sites had their highest spring temperature on record.
  • Smithville reported 46.9 °C on 28 November, the highest spring temperature ever recorded in New South Wales.
  • On 29 November many sites had their warmest spring night on record, at Bankstown Airport and Camden Airport these were also the highest minimum temperatures recorded for any month.
  • Delta, west of Bourke, reported a minimum temperature of 33.8 °C on 29 November, the highest spring minimum temperature ever recorded in New South Wales, and the 4th highest for all of Australia.
  • Sydney (Observatory Hill) recorded maximum temperatures of 40.8 °C and 40.5 °C on 28 and 29 November, only the second instance, with records starting in 1859, of consecutive days over 40 degrees in any month at the city's primary site.

Further information

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Extremes in spring 2020
Hottest day 46.9 °C at Smithville AWS on 28 Nov
Warmest days on average 31.5 °C at Mungindi Post Office
Coolest days on average 9.4 °C at Thredbo AWS
Coldest day -3.4 °C at Thredbo AWS on 26 Sep
Coldest night -8.1 °C at Perisher Valley AWS on 1 Sep
-8.1 °C at Thredbo AWS on 26 Sep
Coolest nights on average 2.1 °C at Thredbo AWS
Warmest nights on average 17.5 °C at Byron Bay (Cape Byron AWS)
Warmest night 33.8 °C at Wanaaring (Delta AWS) on 29 Nov
Warmest on average overall 23.3 °C at Tibooburra Airport
Coolest on average overall 5.7 °C at Thredbo AWS
Wettest overall 563.2 mm at Perisher Valley AWS
Wettest day 209.8 mm at Smiths Lake (Patsys Flat Road) on 27 Oct
Strongest wind gust 146 km/h at Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS on 16 Nov

Maps
ObservedAnomalyDecile rank
Total
rainfall
Map of Rainfall totals Map of Percentage of normal rainfall Map of Rainfall deciles
Mean
daily
maximum
temperatures
Map of Mean maximum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean maximum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean maximum temperature
Mean
daily
minimum
temperatures
Map of Mean minimum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean minimum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean minimum temperature

Click on a map to show it full size in a pop-up window


Record highest spring daily rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Williamtown RAAF 128.8 on 26 Oct 122.9 on 12 Sep 1950 71
Ourimbah (Dog Trap Road) 127.0 on 26 Oct 121.9 on 13 Nov 1973 68
Smiths Lake (Patsys Flat Road) 209.8 on 27 Oct 160.0 on 5 Nov 2006 41
St Ives (Richmond Avenue) 98.2 on 26 Oct 92.6 on 18 Sep 2019 23
Wyong (Mount Elliot) 157.0 on 26 Oct 132.0 on 2 Oct 2004 20



Record highest spring total rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
spring
Wentworth (Scotia Sanctuary) 103.5 = 103.5 in 2005 21 55.0

Highest spring total rainfall for at least 20 years
Observed
(mm)
Most recent
higher
Average for
spring
Goulburn (Cherryton) 240.5 289.2 in 1976* 164.7
Bettowynd (Bellaringah) 253.0 291.2 in 1992* 174.2

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




Record highest spring temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
spring
Menindee Post Office 46.4 on 28 Nov 45.4 on 29 Nov 2012 105 26.6
Lake Victoria Storage 45.5 on 28 Nov 45.1 on 29 Nov 2012 99 24.0
Hillston Airport 43.8 on 28 Nov 43.5 on 14 Nov 2014 63 24.8
Inverell Research Centre 39.2 on 30 Nov 38.6 on 15 Nov 2014 56 23.1
Mungindi Post Office 45.8 on 30 Nov 44.9 on 15 Nov 2014 54 28.9
Griffith Airport AWS 43.2 on 28 Nov 43.0 on 26 Nov 1997 48 24.3
Corowa Airport 43.0 on 28 Nov 42.5 on 17 Nov 1980 47 22.5
Broken Hill Airport AWS 44.7 on 28 Nov 43.5 on 18 Nov 2009 32 25.4
Albury Airport AWS 41.8 on 28 Nov 40.9 on 21 Nov 2019 28 22.1
Moree Aero 44.3 on 30 Nov 43.5 on 15 Nov 2014 26 27.9
Narrandera Airport AWS 43.4 on 28 Nov 43.0 on 20 Nov 2009 26 24.2
Norah Head AWS 41.5 on 29 Nov 40.3 on 20 Nov 2015 26 22.6
Deniliquin Airport AWS 44.1 on 28 Nov 44.0 on 26 Nov 1997 24 24.0
Taree Airport AWS 42.0 on 29 Nov 40.0 on 20 Nov 2015 24 24.6
Tibooburra Airport 45.3 on 28 Nov = 45.3 on 18 Nov 2009 24 29.2
Albion Park (Shellharbour Airport) 41.8 on 28 Nov = 41.8 on 20 Nov 2015 22 22.8
Newcastle University 42.2 on 29 Nov 42.0 on 20 Nov 2009 22 24.6
Yanco Agricultural Institute 43.3 on 28 Nov 42.0 on 30 Nov 2004 22 24.7
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 45.4 on 28 Nov 44.8 on 29 Nov 2012 21 27.0
Wilcannia Aerodrome AWS 46.0 on 28 Nov 45.9 on 29 Nov 2012 21 28.3
Jervis Bay (Point Perpendicular) 38.9 on 28 Nov 38.2 on 20 Nov 2009 20 20.9



Record lowest spring daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
spring
Narrandera Airport AWS 11.4 on 25 Sep = 11.4 on 16 Sep 2010 26 24.2
West Wyalong Airport AWS 9.6 on 25 Sep 11.2 on 1 Sep 2003 22 24.6



Record highest spring mean daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
spring
Cobar MO 29.3 28.9 in 2014 58 26.0



Record highest spring daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
spring
Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS 24.1 on 29 Nov 23.1 on 3 Nov 2018 64 13.9
Coonabarabran (Showgrounds) 26.0 on 29 Nov 23.1 on 26 Nov 1982 63 7.1
Cobar MO 29.8 on 29 Nov 28.8 on 20 Nov 2009 59 12.6
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 27.8 on 28 Nov 26.9 on 24 Nov 2014 56 9.5
Balranald (RSL) 27.6 on 22 Nov 26.7 on 19 Nov 2009 55 9.9
Parramatta North (Masons Drive) 26.5 on 29 Nov 25.6 on 18 Nov 1968 54 11.8
Bankstown Airport AWS 28.1 on 29 Nov 24.3 on 3 Oct 1981 53 11.7
Lake Cargelligo Airport 28.0 on 28 Nov = 28.0 on 18 Nov 1980 52 10.6
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn 24.0 on 28 Nov 22.5 on 16 Nov 2014 47 7.1
Camden Airport AWS 25.1 on 29 Nov 21.7 on 21 Nov 2009 45 9.9
Wanaaring Post Office 32.9 on 29 Nov 30.9 on 30 Nov 2012 30 13.1
Mudgee Airport AWS 21.5 on 29 Nov = 21.5 on 23 Nov 2009 29 7.8
Cobar Airport AWS 30.7 on 29 Nov 28.7 on 2 Nov 1995 28 11.7
Condobolin Airport AWS 27.9 on 28 Nov 27.0 on 24 Nov 2014 28 9.8
Richmond RAAF 24.9 on 29 Nov 23.0 on 27 Nov 2002 28 11.1
Mangrove Mountain AWS 25.5 on 29 Nov 25.4 on 26 Nov 2002 27 11.4
Badgerys Creek AWS 26.1 on 29 Nov 23.8 on 22 Nov 2006 26 10.6
Canterbury Racecourse AWS 25.1 on 29 Nov 23.2 on 10 Nov 2011 26 12.1
Penrith Lakes AWS 24.9 on 29 Nov 23.1 on 21 Nov 2009 26 12.2
Bellambi AWS 22.4 on 29 Nov 21.8 on 26 Nov 2015 24 14.1
Horsley Park Equestrian Centre AWS 27.4 on 29 Nov 24.6 on 22 Nov 2006 24 11.8
Nelson Bay (Nelson Head) 22.5 on 29 Nov 22.2 on 17 Nov 1968 24 14.1
Albion Park (Shellharbour Airport) 24.5 on 29 Nov 21.0 on 16 Oct 2007 22 10.9
Newcastle University 23.7 on 29 Nov 23.0 on 3 Nov 2018 22 13.3
Yanco Agricultural Institute 27.2 on 28 Nov 27.1 on 20 Nov 2009 22 10.9
Bourke Airport AWS 31.3 on 29 Nov 28.7 on 22 Nov 2019 20 13.5
Sydney Harbour (Wedding Cake West) 23.0 on 29 Nov = 23.0 on 26 Nov 2001 20 15.3



Record highest spring mean daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
spring
Moruya Heads Pilot Station 12.9 12.4 in 2009 144 10.7
Wagga Wagga AMO 10.1 9.6 in 2015 78 7.9
Taralga Post Office 6.8 = 6.8 in 2000 59 5.4
Cobar MO 14.4 = 14.4 in 1965 58 12.6
Tumbarumba Post Office 7.4 6.8 in 2015 53 5.3
Bankstown Airport AWS 13.0 = 13.0 in 2015 52 11.7
Tocumwal Airport 10.1 = 10.1 in 1975 49 9.0
Woolbrook (Woolbrook Road) 7.8 7.6 in 2018 48 5.2
Goulburn TAFE 8.8 8.4 in 2015 45 7.1
Narooma (Marine Rescue) 12.5 = 12.5 in 2015 35 11.3
Thredbo AWS 2.1 1.8 in 2015 34 0.0
Broken Hill Airport AWS 13.2 = 13.2 in 2009 30 11.7
Cessnock Airport AWS 11.2 11.1 in 2005 30 10.0
Braidwood Racecourse AWS 7.7 7.1 in 1992 29 5.8
Bathurst Airport AWS 7.7 7.5 in 2009 28 6.4
Bega AWS 10.2 10.1 in 2015 28 8.6
Cooma Airport AWS 5.5 5.0 in 2000 28 3.7
Goulburn Airport AWS 6.8 = 6.8 in 2000 28 5.5
Ulladulla AWS 13.9 13.5 in 2015 28 12.5
Young Airport 7.7 7.3 in 1993 28 5.9
Cobar Airport AWS 13.9 12.8 in 1997 27 11.7
Richmond RAAF 12.3 12.1 in 2015 25 11.1
Badgerys Creek AWS 12.4 11.8 in 2015 24 10.6
Cootamundra Airport 8.4 8.0 in 2000 24 6.6
Orange Airport AWS 6.7 = 6.7 in 2010 24 5.7
Tuggeranong (Isabella Plains) AWS 8.2 7.7 in 2009 24 6.6
Merimbula Airport AWS 10.6 10.3 in 2015 22 9.2
Albion Park (Shellharbour Airport) 12.0 = 12.0 in 2015 21 10.9
Moruya Airport AWS 11.3 10.9 in 2015 20 9.5

Highest spring mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
spring
Hillston Airport 12.2 13.9 in 1914* 10.4
Bathurst Agricultural Station 7.3 8.6 in 1950* 6.2
Bombala (Therry Street) 6.6 7.5 in 1949* 4.6
Brewarrina Hospital 14.7 14.8 in 1965* 12.7
Cooma Visitors Centre 5.7 6.3 in 1997 3.9
Walgett Airport AWS 12.9 13.0 in 1997 12.0
Bombala AWS 6.4 7.4 in 1998 4.9
Albury Airport AWS 10.0 10.1 in 2000 8.4
Burrinjuck Dam 10.2 =10.2 in 2000 8.4

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




Record highest spring mean temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
spring
Bombala (Therry Street) 13.7 13.3 in 2015 95 11.6
Cobar MO 21.8 21.5 in 2014 58 19.3
Bankstown Airport AWS 19.1 = 19.1 in 2013 52 17.7
Tumbarumba Post Office 14.6 = 14.6 in 2015 52 12.3
Bega AWS 16.6 = 16.6 in 2015 28 15.3
Cooma Airport AWS 12.3 12.2 in 2015 28 11.0
Ulladulla AWS 17.7 17.4 in 2015 28 16.5
Cobar Airport AWS 21.5 20.7 in 2014 27 19.3
Moruya Airport AWS 16.8 16.4 in 2015 20 15.5

Highest spring mean temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
spring
Moruya Heads Pilot Station 17.0 17.5 in 1882 15.4
Brewarrina Hospital 23.0 23.2 in 1965* 20.7
Bombala AWS 12.7 12.8 in 1998 11.4

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




Summary statistics for spring 2020
Maximum temperatures
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
(°C)
Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
spring
2020
Diff
from
average
Highest for
spring
2020
Mean for
spring
2020
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
spring
2020
Total for
spring
2020
Average
for
spring
Rank of
spring
2020
Fraction of
spring
average
Western (Far Northwest) (district 46)
Fowlers Gap AWS 28.4 +0.4 46.2 28 Nov 14.1 +0.9 1.3 1 Sep 77.8 52.4 high 148%
Smithville AWS 29.8   46.9 28 Nov 14.5   2.7 1 Sep 90.4
Tibooburra Airport 30.1 +0.9 45.3 28 Nov 16.5 +1.2 5.5 1 Sep 87.6 56.6 high 155%
White Cliffs AWS 29.4 +0.8 45.9 28 Nov 16.0 +1.5 4.5 26 Sep 56.2 57.0 average 99%
Wilcannia Aerodrome AWS 28.9 +0.6 46.0 28 Nov 12.8 +0.8 -0.5 1 Sep 116.0 62.3 high 186%
Western (Lower Darling) (district 47)
Broken Hill Airport AWS 26.4 +1.0 44.7 28 Nov 13.2 +1.5 2.9 1 Sep 85.2 66.2 high 129%
Lake Victoria Storage 25.5 +1.5 45.5 28 Nov 11.6 +1.0 3.5 10 Sep 122.2 74.2 high 165%
Menindee Post Office 27.9 +1.3 46.4 28 Nov 12.8 +1.4 1.5 1 Sep 91.3 62.2 high 147%
Mulurulu AWS 27.0   45.1 28 Nov 12.1   -1.7 1 Sep 123.0
Pooncarie Mail Agency 27.5 +0.2 45.9 28 Nov 12.6 +1.5 1.5 1 Sep 156.6 68.6 v high 228%
Western (Upper Darling) (district 48)
Bourke Airport AWS 31.4 +1.8 43.9 28 Nov 15.1 +1.6 3.6 27 Sep 53.6 80.2 average 67%
Brewarrina Hospital 31.2 +2.4 44.1 29 Nov 14.7 +2.0 2.1 27 Sep 71.4 88.2 average 81%
Cobar Airport AWS 29.0 +2.2 42.9 28 Nov 13.9 +2.2 -0.3 1 Sep 55.2 91.5 average 60%
Cobar MO 29.3 +3.3 43.1 28 Nov 14.4 +1.8 2.9 1 Sep 42.4 93.0 low 46%
Noona AWS 28.7   43.7 28 Nov 15.3   3.5 1 Sep 101.2
Wanaaring (Delta AWS) 30.8   43.6 28 Nov 15.0   1.9 1 Sep 50.4
Wanaaring Post Office 30.9 +1.6 44.5 28 Nov     3.5 27 Sep 71.0 61.1 average 116%
Western (Southwest Plains) (district 49)
Euabalong (Mount Hope AWS) 27.7   42.7 28 Nov 11.4   -2.7 1 Sep
Ivanhoe Aerodrome AWS 27.6 +0.6 45.4 28 Nov 13.7 +1.5 2.5 1 Sep 90.0 58.4 high 154%
Central Western Plains (South) (district 50)
Condobolin Ag Research Stn 26.6 +1.7 41.7 28 Nov 10.2 +0.7 -1.1 1 Sep 135.0 118.3 average 114%
Condobolin Airport AWS 26.8 +1.4 42.8 28 Nov 9.8 0.0 -1.8 1 Sep 124.8 117.2 average 106%
Peak Hill Post Office 26.9 +2.2 40.4 29 Nov 13.3 +1.9 1.3 1 Sep 129.4 133.9 average 97%
West Wyalong Airport AWS 25.4 +0.8 41.0 28 Nov 9.9 +0.6 -0.4 1 Sep 171.6 123.2 average 139%
Central Western Plains (North) (district 51)
Coonamble Airport AWS 28.7 +1.2 43.4 29 Nov 12.7 +1.3 0.5 27 Sep 97.2 125.1 average 78%
Girilambone (Okeh) AWS 29.3   42.7 28 Nov 13.9   3.4 27 Sep 81.8
Trangie Research Station AWS 28.2 +3.1 42.0 21 Nov 11.9 +1.7 1.1 1 Sep 80.4 121.0 average 66%
Walgett (Brewon AWS) 31.2   45.0 29 Nov 13.4   0.3 1 Sep 48.2
Northwest Plains (West) (district 52)
Mungindi Post Office 31.5 +2.6 45.8 30 Nov 14.7 +1.5 3.4 27 Sep 66.2 111.2 low 60%
Walgett Airport AWS 30.4 +1.5 44.5 29 Nov 12.9 +0.9 0.9 1 Sep 103.2 105.5 average 98%
Northwest Plains (East) (district 53)
Moree Aero 30.0 +2.1 44.3 30 Nov 14.0 +1.3 1.4 1 Sep 86.6 143.1 average 61%
Northwest Slopes (North) (district 54)
Barraba (Clifton Lane) 26.5 +1.4 39.8 30 Nov 8.1 0.0 -2.6 27 Sep 117.0 177.8 low 66%
Narrabri Airport AWS 29.1 +1.2 42.2 29 Nov 12.6 +0.4 0.7 27 Sep 124.2 137.8 average 90%
Northwest Slopes (South) (district 55)
Gunnedah Airport AWS 28.3 +1.0 41.6 29 Nov 10.8 +0.9 -2.3 27 Sep 142.6 144.5 average 99%
Quirindi Post Office 26.8 +1.5 39.4 29 Nov 9.9 +1.3 -1.2 27 Sep 216.0 171.1 high 126%
Tamworth Airport AWS 27.4 +2.0 39.9 29 Nov 10.1 +0.5 -1.9 27 Sep 103.4 176.8 low 58%
Woolbrook (Woolbrook Road) 22.4 +1.5 34.0 28 Nov 7.8 +2.6 -5.2 27 Sep 147.0 209.3 low 70%
Northern Tablelands (West) (district 56)
Armidale (Tree Group Nursery) 22.5 +1.3 32.5 29 Nov 6.5 +0.5 -3.0 27 Sep 141.6 200.6 low 71%
Armidale Airport AWS 21.4 +1.0 32.2 29 Nov 7.9 +0.5 -1.8 27 Sep 163.4 214.2 low 76%
Glen Innes Ag Research Stn         7.9 +0.8 -1.5 27 Sep 115.6 218.3 low 53%
Glen Innes Airport AWS 22.5 +1.5 34.5 30 Nov 5.9 +0.1 -6.1 27 Sep 118.2 254.0 v low 47%
Guyra Hospital 19.9 +1.5 32.2 30 Nov 7.0 +0.6 -2.6 27 Sep 134.2 232.7 v low 58%
Inverell (Raglan St) 26.2 +1.5 39.6 30 Nov 8.2 +0.3 -2.6 27 Sep 132.2 215.0 low 61%
Inverell Research Centre 25.5 +2.4 39.2 30 Nov 11.0 +0.9 1.1 27 Sep 119.8 207.5 low 58%
Tenterfield (Federation Park) 23.5 +1.2 34.2 29 Nov 7.4 -0.4 -3.8 27 Sep 70.7 209.7 v low 34%
Northern Tablelands (East) (district 57)
Tabulam (Muirne) 25.3 +1.6 37.1 29 Nov 13.2 +0.7 5.8 27 Sep 100.8 242.6 v low 42%
Upper North Coast (district 58)
Ballina Airport AWS 25.0 +0.1 31.7 17 Nov 14.5 +0.5 5.0 27 Sep 172.8 286.5 average 60%
Byron Bay (Cape Byron AWS) 24.1 +0.4 30.6 27 Nov 17.5 +0.6 12.1 28 Sep 143.0 232.7 low 61%
Casino Airport AWS 28.7 +1.3 40.9 29 Nov 12.4 -0.8 1.7 27 Sep 72.8 204.8 v low 36%
Evans Head RAAF Bombing Range AWS 26.3 +0.8 38.7 29 Nov 15.4 +0.3 9.5 27 Sep 181.0 248.2 average 73%
Grafton Airport AWS 27.6 +0.9 40.8 29 Nov 12.9 +0.1 2.3 27 Sep 63.6 207.5 v low 31%
Grafton Research Stn 28.0 +0.9 42.5 29 Nov     7.1 25 Sep 99.0 178.2 low 56%
Lismore Airport AWS 27.5 +0.2 39.6 29 Nov 11.8 -0.8 1.4 27 Sep 126.2 228.3 low 55%
Murwillumbah (Bray Park) 26.9 +0.5 36.5 23 Nov 14.4 +0.3 4.0 27 Sep 124.0 256.0 low 48%
Yamba Pilot Station 24.9 +1.5 29.3 23 Nov 16.5 +1.2 10.9 27 Sep 124.8 230.2 low 54%
Lower North Coast (district 59)
Coffs Harbour Airport 24.8   31.3 22 Sep 14.7   3.2 27 Sep 212.0
Dorrigo (Old Coramba Rd) 21.6 +0.6 35.6 29 Nov 10.2 +0.3 0.5 27 Sep 210.0 353.6 low 59%
Kempsey Airport AWS 25.9 +0.1 40.2 29 Nov 11.8 +0.6 0.9 27 Sep 208.2 223.5 average 93%
Manning (district 60)
Port Macquarie Airport AWS (Comparison) 24.7 +0.7 36.1 29 Nov 12.5 +0.3 2.3 27 Sep 140.2 273.9 low 51%
Taree Airport AWS 25.3 +0.7 42.0 29 Nov 12.6 +0.5 4.3 29 Sep 104.0 218.6 v low 48%
Yarras (Mount Seaview) 26.5 +1.1 40.0 28 Nov 12.7 +1.3 6.2 27 Sep 379.0 359.6 average 105%
Hunter (district 61)
Cessnock Airport AWS 25.6 +0.6 41.9 29 Nov 11.2 +1.2 2.9 2 Sep 181.4 167.7 average 108%
Cooranbong (Lake Macquarie AWS) 24.6 +0.2 41.2 29 Nov 11.4 +0.4 2.9 2 Sep 239.2 240.2 average 100%
Gosford AWS 24.0   41.6 29 Nov 13.2   5.5 28 Sep 339.6
Maitland Airport AWS 26.0   41.3 29 Nov 11.9   2.6 29 Sep 153.6
Mangrove Mountain AWS 23.8 +1.1 40.4 29 Nov 11.9 +0.5 3.5 27 Sep 289.6 240.0 high 121%
Merriwa (Roscommon) 24.9 -0.4 39.7 29 Nov 8.7 0.0 -0.1 28 Sep 194.2 147.0 high 132%
Murrurundi Gap AWS 21.9 +0.3 35.2 29 Nov 11.2 +0.3 1.6 26 Sep 215.0 174.7 average 123%
Nelson Bay (Nelson Head) 23.2 +0.1 37.8 29 Nov 15.5 +1.4 11.3 27 Sep 236.9 247.2 average 96%
Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS 22.8 +0.8 40.6 29 Nov 15.6 +1.7 8.5 26 Sep 254.0 216.0 average 118%
Newcastle University 25.4 +0.8 42.2 29 Nov 13.9 +0.6 6.3 2 Sep 213.3 234.6 average 91%
Norah Head AWS 23.6 +1.0 41.5 29 Nov 15.4 +0.6 8.6 27 Sep
Paterson (Tocal AWS) 25.7 +0.7 41.6 29 Nov 12.3 +0.8 3.6 29 Sep 198.6 199.1 average 100%
Scone Airport AWS 26.1 +0.8 41.5 29 Nov 10.1 +0.3 0.2 29 Sep 152.0 152.6 average 100%
Singleton Defence AWS 25.5   41.7 29 Nov 13.2   5.4 27 Sep 196.8
Williamtown RAAF 25.0 +1.4 41.8 29 Nov 12.7 +0.9 3.4 29 Sep 338.2 218.2 v high 155%
Central Tablelands (North) (district 62)
Mudgee Airport AWS 23.8 +0.7 37.7 29 Nov 8.9 +1.1 -0.2 28 Sep 197.8 177.3 average 112%
Nullo Mountain AWS 17.8 +0.5 30.9 29 Nov 8.5 +0.6 -0.7 26 Sep 221.4 237.5 average 93%
Central Tablelands (South) (district 63)
Bathurst Agricultural Station 21.5 +1.5 35.1 28 Nov 7.3 +1.1 -2.0 28 Sep 177.2 166.5 average 106%
Bathurst Airport AWS 21.4 +0.9 34.7 28 Nov 7.7 +1.3 -1.2 28 Sep 181.0 162.6 average 111%
Katoomba (Farnells Rd) 19.4 +1.8 32.5 28 Nov 7.9 +0.2 -0.3 26 Sep 287.1 272.4 average 105%
Lithgow (Cooerwull) 19.6 0.0 32.2 28 Nov 7.8 +1.4 -1.7 28 Sep 184.3 182.1 average 101%
Marrangaroo (Defence) 19.6   31.5 28 Nov 7.0   -2.5 28 Sep 215.6
Mount Boyce AWS 19.0 +1.3 31.6 28 Nov 8.7 +1.1 -0.4 26 Sep 207.6 221.5 average 94%
Oberon (Albion St) 18.9 +1.8 31.4 28 Nov 5.5 +0.8 -4.0 28 Sep 231.6 216.2 average 107%
Orange Airport AWS 18.9 +0.5 31.4 28 Nov 6.7 +1.0 -2.7 28 Sep 233.2 235.8 average 99%
Springwood (Valley Heights) 23.8 +0.2 38.5 28 Nov 12.4 +0.7 5.3 28 Sep 213.4 224.6 average 95%
Central Western Slopes (North) (district 64)
Coonabarabran (Showgrounds) 25.3 +1.1 38.4 30 Nov 8.6 +1.5 -1.0 27 Sep 128.0 172.2 average 74%
Coonabarabran Airport AWS 24.2 +0.6 38.9 29 Nov 12.0 +0.4 2.5 26 Sep 120.6 151.0 average 80%
Dunedoo Post Office 26.1 +1.7 40.2 29 Nov 10.5 +1.3 1.3 1 Sep 172.2 148.2 average 116%
Central Western Slopes (South) (district 65)
Cowra Airport AWS 24.6 +0.4 40.2 28 Nov 8.7 +1.1 -0.8 28 Sep 171.0 145.1 average 118%
Dubbo Airport AWS 26.5 +1.4 40.7 28 Nov 10.6 +0.9 -0.5 27 Sep 120.8 145.1 average 83%
Forbes Airport AWS 25.7 +0.8 41.3 28 Nov 9.8 +0.9 -0.4 1 Sep 212.4 127.3 high 167%
Parkes Airport AWS 24.8 +0.6 40.6 28 Nov 9.4 +1.4 -1.2 1 Sep 201.6 155.6 average 130%
Wellington (D&J Rural) 26.1 +1.4 39.6 28 Nov 9.9 +1.1 1.0 28 Sep 157.4 156.9 average 100%
Metropolitan (East) (district 66)
Bankstown Airport AWS 25.2 +1.5 41.9 28 Nov 13.0 +1.3 5.3 2 Sep 146.0 179.6 average 81%
Canterbury Racecourse AWS 24.0 +0.6 40.7 28 Nov 12.8 +0.7 5.2 2 Sep 155.0 183.8 average 84%
Holsworthy Aerodrome AWS 24.6   41.4 28 Nov 12.3   4.4 28 Sep 180.4
Parramatta North (Masons Drive) 24.9 +1.1 40.6 28 Nov 12.6 +0.8 5.5 2 Sep 166.0 201.2 average 83%
Sydney (Observatory Hill) 24.3   40.8 28 Nov 15.0   8.8 28 Sep
Sydney Airport AMO 24.7 +2.2 43.0 28 Nov 15.0 +1.9 9.6 28 Sep 136.2 209.7 average 65%
Sydney Harbour (Wedding Cake West) 21.4 +0.4 40.1 28 Nov 15.9 +0.6 10.8 26 Sep
Sydney Olympic Park AWS (Archery Centre) 25.3   41.6 28 Nov 13.3   5.6 28 Sep 150.4 188.0 average 80%
Terrey Hills AWS 22.8 +0.3 39.9 29 Nov 13.6 +0.4 6.7 27 Sep 229.2 237.6 average 96%
Metropolitan (West) (district 67)
Badgerys Creek AWS         12.4 +1.8 4.1 2 Sep
Horsley Park Equestrian Centre AWS 24.9 +0.3 40.5 28 Nov 12.4 +0.6 5.0 28 Sep 211.2 163.9 high 129%
Penrith Lakes AWS 26.6 +1.0 41.5 28 Nov 12.7 +0.5 4.2 27 Sep 177.0 168.2 average 105%
Richmond RAAF 25.7 +0.6 39.9 28 Nov 12.3 +1.2 3.3 27 Sep 174.6 170.1 average 103%
Illawarra (district 68)
Albion Park (Shellharbour Airport) 23.3 +0.5 41.8 28 Nov 12.0 +1.1 3.7 28 Sep 197.0 189.0 average 104%
Bellambi AWS 21.8 +0.4 39.7 29 Nov 14.7 +0.6 8.2 28 Sep 196.8 220.4 average 89%
Camden Airport AWS 25.3 +1.0 40.7 28 Nov 10.9 +1.0 2.6 2 Sep 187.0 174.3 average 107%
Campbelltown (Mount Annan) 25.1 +0.2 40.2 28 Nov 10.9 +0.5 3.1 2 Sep 186.8 140.6 average 133%
High Range AWS (Wanganderry) 19.4   33.6 28 Nov 9.3   1.0 26 Sep 201.0
Holsworthy Defence AWS 24.2   41.8 28 Nov 11.9   4.6 28 Sep 222.0
Jervis Bay (Point Perpendicular) 21.4 +0.5 38.9 28 Nov 14.4 +0.8 9.0 26 Sep 160.2 215.0 low 75%
Jervis Bay NSW (Jervis Bay Airfield AWS) 21.6   40.3 28 Nov 13.2   7.0 2 Oct 212.4
Kiama (Bombo Headland) 21.5 +0.1 41.5 28 Nov 14.4 +0.5 9.1 26 Sep 168.2 207.1 low 81%
Moss Vale AWS 20.1 +0.6 34.2 28 Nov 8.7 +0.8 -0.8 28 Sep 208.4 149.9 high 139%
Nowra RAN Air Station AWS 24.0 +1.0 40.4 28 Nov 12.2 +1.3 4.9 25 Sep 228.0 182.7 average 125%
South Coast (district 69)
Bega AWS 23.2 +1.3 34.8 3 Oct 10.2 +1.6 -0.6 1 Sep 213.2 146.5 high 146%
Braidwood Racecourse AWS 19.9 +0.5 33.7 28 Nov 7.7 +1.9 -3.1 28 Sep 237.4 177.6 high 134%
Green Cape AWS 19.3 +0.1 26.4 28 Nov 13.2 +0.8 7.2 1 Sep 189.4 146.6 high 129%
Merimbula Airport AWS 21.1 +0.5 33.6 29 Nov 10.6 +1.4 1.8 28 Sep 293.8 178.4 high 165%
Montague Island Lighthouse 19.8 +0.9 34.2 29 Nov 14.2 +1.3 8.8 1 Sep 172.0 192.9 average 89%
Moruya Airport AWS 22.3 +0.8 40.5 28 Nov 11.3 +1.8 2.4 28 Sep 222.6 196.2 average 113%
Moruya Heads Pilot Station 21.0 +0.9 38.5 28 Nov 12.9 +2.2 5.6 1 Sep 230.6 214.4 average 108%
Narooma (Marine Rescue) 20.5 +0.9 34.4 29 Nov 12.5 +1.2 4.6 1 Sep 243.2 206.2 high 118%
Nerriga AWS 20.7   34.1 28 Nov 9.1   0.3 28 Sep 203.2
Ulladulla AWS 21.4 +0.8 38.8 28 Nov 13.9 +1.4 8.2 1 Sep 310.4 243.2 high 128%
Southern Tablelands (Goulburn-Monaro) (district 70)
Bombala (Therry Street) 20.9 +2.2 34.8 28 Nov 6.6 +2.0 -3.4 28 Sep 153.4 164.5 average 93%
Bombala AWS 19.1 +1.1 34.6 28 Nov 6.4 +1.5 -2.7 1 Sep 122.4 148.4 average 82%
Canberra Airport 21.0 -0.7 35.3 28 Nov 8.0 +1.7 -1.3 28 Sep 267.0 162.7 high 164%
Cooma Airport AWS 19.2 +0.9 31.7 28 Nov 5.5 +1.8 -6.7 1 Sep 145.6 147.1 average 99%
Cooma Visitors Centre     34.0 28 Nov 5.7 +1.8 -6.1 1 Sep 127.6 137.1 average 93%
Goulburn Airport AWS 20.7 +0.8 33.8 28 Nov 6.8 +1.3 -2.9 6 Sep 210.6 149.0 high 141%
Goulburn TAFE 20.5 +0.7 34.4 28 Nov 8.8 +1.7 -0.9 28 Sep 228.4 162.6 high 140%
Mount Ginini AWS 12.5 +0.2 25.1 28 Nov 4.2 +1.2 -6.9 26 Sep 412.2 272.1 high 151%
Taralga Post Office 19.9 +1.5 33.0 28 Nov 6.8 +1.4 -3.0 6 Sep 221.2 198.5 average 111%
Tuggeranong (Isabella Plains) AWS 21.1 +0.1 34.9 28 Nov 8.2 +1.6 -1.6 28 Sep 294.8 186.4 v high 158%
Southern Tablelands (Snowy Mountains) (district 71)
Perisher Valley AWS 11.9 +1.0 24.9 28 Nov 2.6 +1.5 -8.1 1 Sep 563.2 531.1 average 106%
Thredbo AWS 9.4 +1.8 21.2 28 Nov 2.1 +2.1 -8.1 26 Sep 492.4 424.2 average 116%
Southwest Slopes (South) (district 72)
Albury Airport AWS 23.5 +1.4 41.8 28 Nov 10.0 +1.6 0.6 1 Sep 126.6 160.9 average 79%
Hume Reservoir 23.0 +1.8 36.9 20 Nov 10.9 +1.7 0.8 1 Sep 139.0 180.2 average 77%
Tumbarumba Post Office 21.9 +2.6 35.1 28 Nov 7.4 +2.1 -2.5 1 Sep 323.9 259.5 high 125%
Wagga Wagga AMO 23.7 +1.9 40.3 28 Nov 10.1 +2.2 0.0 28 Sep
Southwest Slopes (North) (district 73)
Burrinjuck Dam 22.2 +1.7 35.0 20 Nov 10.2 +1.8 1.5 28 Sep 326.0 240.4 high 136%
Cootamundra Airport 23.0 +0.5 38.8 28 Nov 8.4 +1.8 -1.8 28 Sep 183.2 151.3 average 121%
Grenfell (Manganese Rd) 23.7 +1.1 39.1 28 Nov 9.7 +0.8 -0.2 1 Sep 172.6 153.3 average 113%
Gundagai (Nangus Rd) 23.8 +1.2 39.5 28 Nov 9.9 +1.5 0.2 1 Sep 210.8 173.7 average 121%
Temora Airport 24.5 +0.2 42.4 28 Nov 8.4 +0.9 -2.3 28 Sep 158.4 125.5 average 126%
Young Airport 23.0 +0.8 39.2 28 Nov 7.7 +1.8 -2.0 28 Sep 206.0 157.4 high 131%
Riverina (East) (district 74)
Corowa Airport 24.1 +1.6 43.0 28 Nov 8.8 +0.6 -1.0 1 Sep 117.2 140.7 average 83%
Deniliquin Airport AWS 25.3 +1.3 44.1 28 Nov 9.5 +0.7 -1.5 1 Sep 72.4 107.5 average 67%
Kapooka (Defence) 24.1   42.7 28 Nov 9.4   -1.2 28 Sep 169.6
Narrandera Airport AWS 26.4 +2.2 43.4 28 Nov 10.2 +1.0 -1.5 1 Sep 139.8 111.0 average 126%
Tocumwal Airport 24.5 +1.7 42.8 28 Nov 10.1 +1.1 -0.4 1 Sep 96.2 115.9 average 83%
Yanco Agricultural Institute 26.5 +1.8 43.3 28 Nov 11.7 +0.8 0.7 1 Sep 93.2 101.2 average 92%
Riverina (West) (district 75)
Griffith Airport AWS 26.6 +2.3 43.2 28 Nov 11.4 +2.2 -2.1 1 Sep 107.6 105.0 average 102%
Hay Airport AWS 26.9 +0.9 45.5 28 Nov 10.6 +0.7 -1.9 1 Sep 111.6 88.4 high 126%
Hillston Airport 27.3 +2.5 43.8 28 Nov 12.2 +1.8 -1.0 1 Sep 125.8 92.6 high 136%
Lake Cargelligo Airport 27.1 +1.5 42.3 28 Nov 12.4 +1.8 1.1 1 Sep 126.4 104.1 average 121%
Note: From 2017, information about Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands can be found in the climate summary for the Remote Islands and Antarctica

Notes

The Seasonal climate summary, generally published on the first working day of each month, lists the main features of the weather in New South Wales using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated. More extensive discussion of significant weather events, along with later information and data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 11 am on Tuesday 1 December 2020. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

In some situations, some or all of the rainfall is in the form of hail or snow. In these cases the totals given are for the water equivalent: the depth of liquid water that results from melting any frozen precipitation. There can be significant 'undercatch' of snow in strong winds, meaning the true precipitation can be higher than that reported.

Averages for individual sites are long-term means based on observations from all available years of record, which vary widely from site to site. They are not shown for sites with less than 10 years of record, as they cannot then be calculated reliably.
The median is sometimes more representative than the mean of long-term average rain.

The Rank indicates how rainfall this time compares with the climate record for the site, based on the decile ranking (very low rainfall is in decile 1, low in decile 2 or 3, average in decile 4 to 7, high in decile 8 or 9 and very high is in decile 10).
The Fraction of average shows how much rain has fallen this time as a percentage of the long-term mean.

Where temperature area averages are mentioned, they are derived from the ACORN-SAT dataset.

Further information

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