Tuesday, 1 December 2009 - Seasonal Climate Summary for Tasmania - Product code IDCKGC27R0
Tasmania in spring 2009: wet in the east, warm overall
- Wet in the east
- Dry in the west
- Warm overall
Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top
A wet spring in the east — but dry in the west
A record-wet September and a very wet November
combined to balance out a relatively dry October and give a wet spring in the east and
southeast, with a a few sites having their wettest spring in many years. Included
was Swansea where 324 mm was the wettest since 1889 and more than
double the long-term average for the season. In the east much of the
rain came in short bursts, with several sites having their wettest spring day on record on
either 23 September (when Gray received 135 mm) or 29 November (when
Eaglehawk Neck had 114 mm).
Meanwhile, total spring rainfall amounts in the west of the state were typically 300 to 500 mm; similar to the wettest place in the east. This is not the usual pattern, and rainfall for the west was well below average, with a few sites there having one of their driest springs on record. Totals were close to average for spring along the north coast, in the central north, and on King Island.
The wettest spot overall Mount Wellington with 501.6 mm (although the normally wet Mount Read was not operating in September); the second-wettest was 486.7 mm at Strathgordon. At the other extreme, the driest overall was Ouse with 131.6 mm.
Plenty of cool days early — but hot ones later in the season
November was very warm, but there were several quite cool days through spring, especially in the east and south when it was raining, or in the wake of cold changes (Mount Wellington did not get above -1.2 °C on 6 or 7 October). Warm to hot days began to appear in late October (with several some sites topping 30 °C on the 31st), but the hottest weather was in November: 33.6 °C at Ouse Fire Station on 9 November and 35.1 °C at Bicheno on 20 November. A few sites had their highest spring temperature on record on one of those days. The hot days in November were part of an extended heatwave that affected central and southeastern Australia, which is the theme of a Bureau of Meteorology Special Climate Statement.
Launceston, Bushy Park and Ouse shared the
highest mean daily maximum for spring of 18.6 °C, whilst Mount
Wellington's 8.3 °C was the lowest mean for the season.
Overall, maximum temperatures were above average across the state: by less than half a degree in the east but by more than a full degree in the west. Several sites had their highest spring mean daily maximum temperature on record.
Mild nights predominate — but some cold ones in October
Overnight temperatures were above average for most of spring, but
the first week of October was generally cold by night and there was a
cold snap late in October. The coldest night was -5.7 °C at Liawenee on 29
September, which also recorded -5.3 °C on 26 October. There
were some very mild
nights during November: Luncheon
Hill in the northwest did not drop below 17.8 °C
on the night of 9/10 November, and Hogan Island (in Bass Strait) did
not drop below 17.7 °C that night.
Averaged across all of spring, minimum temperatures were warmer than usual, typically by half to one degree.
Floods and winds — but less windy than usual
The rain in the east, especially that of September (which followed several months of wet
weather) and the end of November (where locally very heavy falls
occurred), caused some rivers to flood.
There was also some very strong winds during September, with gusts to 146 km/h at Maatsuyker Island and 141 km/h at Cape Grim on on the 27th. However, there were less strong and gusty winds during spring than is normally the case. For example, although Hobart had a peak gust of 91 km/h (on 27 September) in most springs it records at least one gust over 100 km/h.
Further information
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
- Enquiries
- helpdesk.climate@bom.gov.au
| Extremes in spring 2009 | |
|---|---|
| Hottest day | 35.1 °C at Bicheno
(Council Depot) on 20 Nov |
| Warmest days on average | 18.6 °C at Bushy
Park (Bushy Park Estates) 18.6 °C at Ouse Fire Station 18.6 °C at Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) |
| Coolest days on average | 8.3 °C at Mount
Wellington |
| Coldest day | -1.2 °C at Mount Wellington on 6 and 7 Oct |
| Coldest night | -5.7 °C at Liawenee on 29 Sep |
| Coolest nights on average | 1.0 °C at Mount Wellington |
| Warmest nights on average | 11.2 °C at Hogan Island |
| Warmest night | 17.8 °C at Luncheon
Hill (Forestry) on 10 Nov |
| Wettest overall | 501.6 mm at Mount
Wellington* |
| Driest overall | 131.6 mm at Ouse
Fire Station |
| Wettest day | 135.4 mm at Gray
(Blueberry Cottage) on 23 Sep |
| Highest wind gust | 146 km/h at Maatsuyker
Island Lighthouse on 27 Sep |
* Mount Read on the west coast was not functioning during September, but may have received more rain than Mount Wellington
Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top
| Record highest spring daily rainfall | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest daily rainfall in spring 2009 (mm) |
Previous highest for spring |
Years of record |
||||
| Eaglehawk Neck (Jetty Road) | 113.6 | on 29 Nov | 88.9 | on 9 Oct 1891 | 90 | |
| Margate (Sunnyside) | 57.2 | on 23 Sep | 52.6 | on 6 Sep 1983 | 42 | |
| Sandspit River (Ringrove) | 60.0 | on 23 Sep | 51.0 | on 4 Nov 1975 | 31 | |
| Mount Wellington | 101.2 | on 29 Nov | 75.0 | on 12 Oct 2001 | 29 | |
| Swansea (Belmont) | 71.6 | on 23 Sep | 69.8 | on 9 Oct 2005 | 29 | |
| Nugent (Twilight Valley) | 88.4 | on 23 Sep | 72.2 | on 12 Sep 2005 | 27 | |
| Record highest total spring rainfall | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total rainfall for spring 2009 (mm) |
Previous highest for spring |
Years of record |
Average for spring |
||
| Bicheno (Council Depot) | 378.6 | 328.4 | in 1934 | 83 | 157.9 |
| Risdon Vale (Poplar Road) | 255.8 | 240.4 | in 2005 | 30 | 137.0 |
| Nugent (Twilight Valley) | 439.8 | 351.6 | in 2001 | 26 | 212.1 |
| Highest total spring rainfall for at least 20 years | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total rainfall for spring 2009 (mm) |
Most recent higher for spring |
Years since higher |
Average for spring |
||
| Swansea Post Office | 323.8 | 444.6 | in 1889 | 119 | 146.1 |
| Lewis Hill (St Pauls River) | 292.8 | 300.8 | in 1952 | 55 | 157.0 |
| Levendale | 359.4 | 359.8 | in 1976 | 33 | 197.2 |
| Copping | 300.6 | 345.0 | in 1976 | 30 | 194.1 |
| Eddystone Point | 315.8 | 414.2 | in 1976 | 30 | 193.0 |
| Blackmans Bay Treatment Plant | 246.6 | 251.8 | in 1983 | 25 | 159.3 |
| Taroona (Taroona Crescent) | 246.6 | 264.2 | in 1983 | 23 | 170.0 |
| Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 274.4 | 312.0 | in 1988 | 20 | 209.6 |
| Record lowest total spring rainfall | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total rainfall for spring 2009 (mm) |
Previous lowest for spring |
Years of record |
Average for spring |
||
| Lake St Clair National Park | 399.0 | 401.0 | in 1999 | 20 | 528.4 |
| Lowest total spring rainfall for at least 20 years | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total rainfall for spring 2009 (mm) |
Most recent lower for spring |
Years since lower |
Average for spring |
||
| Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse | 193.8 | 167.0 | in 1937 | 71 | 308.1 |
| Strathgordon Village | 486.7 | 362.6 | in 1985 | 24 | 705.4 |
| Record highest spring temperature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest temperature in spring 2009 (°C) |
Previous highest for spring |
Years of record |
Average for spring |
|||
| Marrawah | 29.0 | on 9 Nov | 27.6 | on 13 Nov 1988 | 39 | 15.0 |
| Bicheno (Council Depot) | 35.1 | on 20 Nov | 33.9 | on 15 Nov 2003 | 36 | 17.3 |
| Wynyard Airport | 30.5 | on 19 Nov | 28.4 | on 18 Nov 2002 | 23 | 16.0 |
| Lake St Clair National Park | 28.0 | on 8 Nov | 27.7 | on 19 Nov 2007 | 20 | 12.6 |
| Record highest spring mean daily maximum temperature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mean daily maximum temperature for spring 2009 (°C) |
Previous highest for spring |
Years of record |
Average for spring |
||
| Burnie (Round Hill) | 17.3 | = 17.3 | in 1981 | 60 | 16.0 |
| Eddystone Point | 17.7 | 17.5 | in 2007 | 50 | 16.3 |
| Flinders Island Airport | 18.0 | 17.9 | in 1980 | 46 | 16.7 |
| Marrawah | 16.3 | 16.0 | in 2005 | 38 | 15.0 |
| Strathgordon Village | 15.1 | = 15.1 | in 2005 | 27 | 13.7 |
| Wynyard Airport | 17.8 | 16.9 | in 2006 | 21 | 16.0 |
| Highest spring mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean daily maximum temperature for spring 2009 (°C) |
Most recent higher for spring |
Years since higher |
Average for spring |
||
| Butlers Gorge | 13.9 | 14.2 | in 1963 | 27 | 12.3 |
Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top
| Summary statistics for spring 2009 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum temperatures for spring (°C) |
Minimum temperatures for spring (°C) |
Rainfall for spring (millimetres) |
||||||||||
| Mean for spring 2009 |
Diff from average |
Highest for spring 2009 |
Mean for spring 2009 |
Diff from average |
Lowest for spring 2009 |
Total for spring 2009 |
Average for spring |
Rank of spring 2009 |
Fraction of spring average |
|||
| Northern (district 91) | ||||||||||||
| Bridport (Sea View Villas) | 17.0 | +0.6 | 27.0 | 19 Nov | 8.7 | +0.4 | 3.1 | 7 Oct | 183.9 | 180.1 | average | 102% |
| Burnie (Round Hill) | 17.3 | +1.4 | 30.3 | 19 Nov | 9.7 | +1.6 | 4.6 | 7 Oct | 198.1 | 241.9 | average | 82% |
| Cape Grim BAPS | 15.6 | +1.1 | 27.2 | 10 Nov | 10.1 | +0.7 | 5.0 | 7 Oct | ||||
| Cressy Research Station | 17.7 | +0.3 | 31.6 | 19 Nov | 6.4 | +1.2 | -1.0 | 2 Sep | 182.8 | 162.5 | average | 112% |
| Devonport Airport | 16.8 | +1.0 | 24.5 | 19 Nov | 8.4 | +1.0 | 1.7 | 7 Oct | 189.1 | 195.6 | average | 97% |
| Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) | 18.6 | +0.6 | 30.0 | 9 Nov | 7.9 | +1.0 | 0.9 | 10 Oct | 177.2 | 166.3 | average | 107% |
| Launceston Airport | 17.6 | 29.5 | 9 Nov | 6.5 | 0.9 | 2 Oct | 199.8 | |||||
| Low Head | 16.1 | +0.6 | 24.6 | 19 Nov | 10.4 | +0.8 | 5.2 | 2 Sep | 181.4 | 160.9 | average | 113% |
| Luncheon Hill (Forestry) | 16.2 | +1.5 | 30.8 | 9 Nov | 7.1 | +0.9 | 0.4 | 7 Oct | 311.4 | 400.7 | v low | 78% |
| Marrawah | 16.3 | +1.2 | 29.0 | 9 Nov | 9.1 | +0.9 | 3.5 | 7 Oct | 269.8 | 261.7 | average | 103% |
| Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) | 17.0 | +0.6 | 29.3 | 19 Nov | 7.1 | +1.0 | -0.1 | 2 Oct | 202.0 | 252.3 | average | 80% |
| Sheffield School Farm | 16.0 | +0.6 | 28.7 | 19 Nov | 6.4 | +0.5 | -0.1 | 8 Oct | 273.8 | 284.8 | average | 96% |
| Smithton Aerodrome | 17.5 | +1.0 | 27.1 | 19 Nov | 7.6 | +0.4 | 0.5 | 11 Sep | 216.8 | 237.7 | average | 91% |
| Wynyard Airport | 17.8 | +1.8 | 30.5 | 19 Nov | 7.0 | +0.8 | 0.6 | 3 Oct | 219.6 | 258.9 | average | 85% |
| East Coast (district 92) | ||||||||||||
| Bicheno (Council Depot) | 17.3 | 0.0 | 35.1 | 20 Nov | 9.3 | +0.8 | 4.4 | 26 Oct | 378.6 | 157.9 | highest | 240% |
| Eddystone Point | 17.7 | +1.4 | 30.0 | 9 Nov | 10.1 | +0.8 | 4.2 | 2 Oct | 315.8 | 193.0 | v high | 164% |
| Fingal (Legge Street) | 17.6 | +0.2 | 31.8 | 20 Nov | 6.2 | +1.2 | -0.9 | 2 Sep | 238.2 | 149.5 | v high | 159% |
| Friendly Beaches | 18.0 | 0.0 | 33.2 | 20 Nov | 9.2 | +0.5 | 4.1 | 11 Sep | 174.2 | 150.6 | high | 116% |
| Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 14.1 | +0.6 | 28.2 | 19 Nov | 4.5 | +0.9 | -2.4 | 26 Oct | 274.4 | 209.6 | high | 131% |
| Maria Island (Point Lesueur) | 16.3 | 29.6 | 20 Nov | 9.7 | 4.8 | 1 Sep | 274.8 | |||||
| Orford (Aubin Court) | 17.2 | 0.0 | 31.4 | 20 Nov | 8.3 | +1.0 | 2.1 | 2 Sep | 307.0 | 177.0 | v high | 173% |
| Scamander | 17.5 | 0.0 | 32.8 | 20 Nov | 9.0 | +0.7 | 3.4 | 3 Oct | 294.3 | 181.4 | high | 162% |
| St Helens Aerodrome | 17.6 | 32.9 | 9 Nov | 8.9 | 2.7 | 2 Sep | 327.2 | |||||
| Swansea Post Office | 17.6 | 0.0 | 32.0 | 20 Nov | 7.8 | +0.5 | 1.1 | 2 Oct | 323.8 | 146.1 | v high | 222% |
| Midlands (district 93) | ||||||||||||
| Ross (The Boulevards) | 17.2 | +0.1 | 32.4 | 19 Nov | 6.2 | +1.1 | -1.6 | 26 Oct | 176.6 | 141.7 | high | 125% |
| Southeast (district 94) | ||||||||||||
| Campania (Kincora) | 17.9 | 33.5 | 20 Nov | 7.1 | 0.0 | 11 Sep | 215.2 | |||||
| Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) | 15.7 | +0.3 | 25.6 | 9 Nov | 8.7 | +0.3 | 3.8 | 11 Sep | 197.2 | 187.8 | average | 105% |
| Cape Bruny Lighthouse | 14.9 | +0.5 | 24.7 | 9 Nov | 9.1 | +1.1 | 4.0 | 25 Oct | 224.2 | 239.8 | average | 93% |
| Dover | 16.1 | +0.1 | 31.7 | 20 Nov | 6.7 | +0.3 | -0.1 | 11 Sep | 290.0 | 240.0 | high | 121% |
| Geeveston (Cemetery Road) | 17.2 | +0.8 | 32.9 | 9 Nov | 6.8 | +0.8 | -0.8 | 11 Sep | 289.8 | 253.6 | average | 114% |
| Grove (Research Station) | 17.1 | 31.9 | 9 Nov | 6.3 | -1.0 | 4 Oct | 301.6 | |||||
| Hobart (Ellerslie Road) | 17.4 | +0.6 | 32.6 | 20 Nov | 8.7 | +0.9 | 3.1 | 29 Sep | 266.2 | 169.0 | v high | 158% |
| Hobart Airport | 17.2 | 0.0 | 32.6 | 20 Nov | 8.6 | +1.0 | 2.5 | 15 Sep | 203.0 | 132.4 | high | 153% |
| Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse | 13.7 | +0.4 | 23.8 | 9 Nov | 8.4 | +0.8 | 3.7 | 1 Sep | 193.8 | 308.1 | v low | 63% |
| Melton Mowbray (North Stockman) | 16.7 | -0.3 | 31.0 | 20 Nov | 6.4 | +0.7 | -0.5 | 11 Sep | 198.0 | 133.5 | high | 148% |
| Mount Wellington | 8.2 | +1.3 | 23.7 | 9 Nov | 1.0 | +0.8 | -4.9 | 1 Sep | 501.6 | 249.2 | v high | 201% |
| Tasman Island | 14.2 | 30.3 | 20 Nov | 8.0 | 3.3 | 1 Sep | 276.6 | |||||
| Tunnack Fire Station | 14.5 | -0.2 | 28.5 | 20 Nov | 5.3 | +0.8 | -1.7 | 26 Oct | 367.0 | 182.3 | v high | 201% |
| Derwent Valley (district 95) | ||||||||||||
| Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) | 18.6 | +1.0 | 33.1 | 9 Nov | -1.7 | 11 Sep | 161.2 | 164.1 | average | 98% | ||
| Maydena Post Office | 16.4 | +0.7 | 32.0 | 9 Nov | 5.3 | +0.5 | -2.4 | 8 Oct | 309.3 | 354.1 | average | 87% |
| Ouse Fire Station | 18.6 | +0.5 | 33.6 | 9 Nov | 5.8 | +0.5 | -1.9 | 8 Oct | 131.6 | 167.9 | low | 78% |
| Tarraleah Village | 14.7 | +1.1 | 28.5 | 9 Nov | 4.3 | +1.1 | -1.9 | 11 Sep | 261.2 | 327.1 | low | 80% |
| Central Plateau (district 96) | ||||||||||||
| Butlers Gorge | 13.9 | +1.6 | 28.0 | 8 Nov | 3.1 | +0.7 | -4.2 | 26 Oct | 339.4 | 467.6 | low | 73% |
| Lake St Clair National Park | 14.1 | +1.5 | 28.0 | 8 Nov | 2.7 | +0.6 | -3.5 | 26 Oct | 399.0 | 528.4 | lowest | 76% |
| Liawenee | 13.0 | 27.4 | 9 Nov | 1.8 | -5.7 | 29 Sep | 270.2 | |||||
| West Coast (district 97) | ||||||||||||
| Hartz Mountain (Keoghs Pimple) | 11.6 | +0.6 | 26.9 | 9 Nov | 3.5 | +0.6 | -1.6 | 1 Sep | 320.8 | |||
| Scotts Peak Dam | 16.0 | +1.3 | 31.4 | 9 Nov | 5.9 | +0.6 | 1.1 | 1 Sep | 402.6 | |||
| Strahan Aerodrome | 17.0 | +1.1 | 30.2 | 8 Nov | 8.0 | +0.8 | 1.0 | 7 Oct | 304.0 | 319.6 | low | 95% |
| Strathgordon Village | 15.1 | +1.4 | 30.0 | 9 Nov | 6.3 | +0.7 | -0.2 | 8 Oct | 486.7 | 705.4 | v low | 69% |
| Warra | 14.0 | 29.4 | 9 Nov | 5.0 | -1.2 | 11 Sep | 445.8 | |||||
| King Island (district 98) | ||||||||||||
| King Island Airport | 16.9 | +1.1 | 30.2 | 9 Nov | 10.0 | +1.0 | 3.5 | 9 Oct | 218.6 | 218.9 | average | 100% |
| Flinders Island (district 99) | ||||||||||||
| Flinders Island Airport | 18.0 | +1.2 | 33.0 | 19 Nov | 9.5 | +0.8 | 2.1 | 4 Oct | 210.6 | 180.2 | high | 117% |
| Hogan Island | 17.0 | 29.5 | 19 Nov | 11.2 | 5.9 | 27 Sep | 180.2 | |||||
| Antarctica and Macquarie Island (district 300) | ||||||||||||
| Macquarie Island | 5.8 | -0.1 | 8.1 | 30 Nov | 2.0 | -0.1 | -2.1 | 23 Sep | 251.2 | 221.0 | high | 114% |
Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top
Notes
A Seasonal Climate Summary is prepared to list the main features of the weather in Tasmania using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated. Later information, including data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review, usually published in the fourth week of the month.
This statement has been prepared based on information available at 10 am on Tuesday 1 December 2009. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.
Averages 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.
Further information
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
- Enquiries
- helpdesk.climate@bom.gov.au
Unless otherwise noted, all maps, graphs and diagrams in this page are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence
