Tuesday, 1 September 2015 - Seasonal Climate Summary for Tasmania - Product code IDCKGC27R0
Tasmania in winter 2015: Drier in the northeast with below average temperatures
Winter 2015 saw below average temperatures and below average rainfall across Tasmania. With the winter mean temperature being the coolest since 1966, there were plenty of cool days and nights throughout the season, and several widespread snow events. It was persistently dry in the northeast, particularly towards the end of the season.
- Below-average rain, especially in the northeast
- Snow to low levels during August
- Coolest winter mean temperature since 1966
- Coolest winter days since 1992
- Coolest winter nights since 1995
- Coolest winter nights in Hobart since 1992
Winter 2015 has been the coolest winter since 1966 with the statewide mean temperature coming in equal 6th coolest on record. With most days below average, the winter mean maximum temperature was 10th lowest on record and the coolest since 1992. Days were particularly cooler than average during August when a series of vigorous cold fronts brought snow to low levels about the state. Nights were also cooler than average, with the statewide mean minimum temperature coming in as 10th coolest on record (lowest since 1995). The coldest night was observed on August 8th at Liawenee on the Central Plateau, when the minimum temperature dropped to -11.1°C. Winter nights at Hobart (Ellerslie Road) were the coolest since 1992 with an average of 4.5°C.
With the generally cool conditions, several temperature records were set. Both Wynyard Airport and Devonport Airport observed their lowest winter temperature on record. A few sites had their lowest winter mean daily maximum temperature on record or their lowest winter mean daily minimum temperature on record. Several other sites had their lowest mean daily maximum, lowest mean daily minimum, or lowest mean temperature (the average of the daily maximum and daily minimum) in more than 20 years. The statewide mean temperature anomaly this winter ranks as equal 6th lowest on record and the coolest since 1966. As well as being cooler than the long-term average, several sites had their lowest winter mean temperature on record.
The State's total rainfall was about 16% below average and the lowest winter rainfall for the state as a whole since 2008. Rainfall was below average along the west coast, most of the north and much of the east coast. It was particularly dry along parts of the northeast coast, extending into the midlands areas where less than 60% of the long-term average winter total was recorded. Compared to last winter, it was drier in the northeast of the state, but slightly wetter in the west.
Temperatures were sufficiently cold that snow was reported down to low levels across much of the state on several occasions during winter, with a particularly unusual low level snow occurring during August. There were strong and gusty winds throughout the season. A record wind gust of 185 km/h was recorded at Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse on the afternoon of the June 8th, resulting in a new Australian record June wind gust.
Further information
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
- Enquiries
- helpdesk.climate@bom.gov.au
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
| Extremes in winter 2015 | |
|---|---|
| Hottest day |
20.0 °C at Campania (Kincora) on 7 Jun 20.0 °C at Swansea (Francis Street) on 21 Aug |
| Warmest days on average | 13.9 °C at Bicheno (Council Depot) |
| Coolest days on average | 2.2 °C at Mount Wellington |
| Coldest day | -3.7 °C at Mount Wellington on 5 Aug |
| Coldest night | -11.1 °C at Liawenee on 8 Aug |
| Coolest nights on average | -2.5 °C at Liawenee |
| Warmest nights on average | 8.4 °C at Hogan Island |
| Warmest night | 13.6 °C at Low Head on 7 Jun |
| Warmest on average overall | 10.6 °C at Hogan Island |
| Coolest on average overall | 0.0 °C at Mount Wellington |
| Wettest overall | 982.2 mm at *Mount Read |
| Wettest day | 81.0 mm at Strathgordon (Gordon Power Station) on 9 Jun |
| Strongest wind gust | 185 km/h at Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse on 8 Jun |
* note:The true total at Mount Read is probably higher, as it is likely some snow was lost.
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
| Maps | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Observed | Anomaly | Decile rank | |
| Total rainfall |
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| Mean daily maximum temperatures |
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| Mean daily minimum temperatures |
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Click on a map to show it full size in a pop-up window
| Record highest winter daily rainfall | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (mm) |
Old record |
Years of record |
||||
| Judbury (Huon River) | 50.4 | on 29 Aug | 43.8 | on 26 Jun 2009 | 21 | |
| Record lowest winter mean daily maximum temperature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for winter |
||
| Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) | 11.6 | = 11.6 | in 1992 | 35 | 12.4 |
| Strahan Aerodrome | 11.8 | 12.1 | in 1992 | 22 | 12.6 |
| Ross (The Boulevards) | 10.7 | 10.9 | in 1995 | 21 | 11.9 |
| Lowest winter mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent lower |
Average for winter |
|||
| Dover | 11.8 | 11.6 | in 1992 | 12.7 | |
| Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 8.2 | 7.8 | in 1992 | 9.0 | |
| Flinders Island Airport | 13.2 | 13.1 | in 1994 | 13.8 | |
| Lake St Clair National Park | 6.6 | 6.5 | in 1992* | 7.8 | |
| Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) | 11.9 | =11.9 | in 1992* | 12.8 | |
| Devonport Airport | 12.5 | 12.4 | in 1995 | 13.1 | |
| Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) | 12.6 | 12.4 | in 1995 | 13.2 | |
| Macquarie Island | 4.5 | 3.5 | in 1995 | 5.0 | |
| Marrawah | 12.1 | =12.1 | in 1995 | 12.6 | |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a lower value has gone unreported.
| Record lowest winter temperature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for winter |
|||
| Wynyard Airport | -3.6 | on 21 Jun | = -3.6 | on 25 Jul 2002 | 29 | 3.9 |
| Devonport Airport | -2.2 | on 19 Jul | -2.0 | on 10 Jul 1997 | 24 | 5.0 |
| Record lowest winter mean daily minimum temperature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for winter |
||
| Bicheno (Council Depot) | 5.6 | = 5.6 | in 2006 | 40 | 6.4 |
| Fingal (Legge Street) | -0.2 | = -0.2 | in 2006 | 28 | 1.0 |
| Dover | 2.6 | 2.7 | in 2008 | 25 | 3.8 |
| Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | -0.6 | -0.4 | in 2008 | 25 | 0.6 |
| Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) | 7.4 | 7.6 | in 2007 | 21 | 8.5 |
| Lowest winter mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent lower |
Average for winter |
|||
| Burnie (Round Hill) | 5.0 | 4.5 | in 1971* | 6.3 | |
| Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) | 1.8 | 1.6 | in 1982* | 3.0 | |
| Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) | 3.2 | 2.3 | in 1978* | 4.0 | |
| Cape Sorell | 6.7 | 6.5 | in 1951* | 7.3 | |
| Hobart (Ellerslie Road) | 4.5 | 4.4 | in 1992 | 5.0 | |
| Mount Wellington | -2.2 | -2.9 | in 1994 | -1.3 | |
| Cape Bruny Lighthouse | 5.9 | 5.5 | in 1995 | 6.4 | |
| Devonport Airport | 4.0 | 3.8 | in 1995 | 5.0 | |
| Larapuna (Eddystone Point) | 6.6 | 6.5 | in 1995 | 7.4 | |
| Macquarie Island | 0.6 | 0.2 | in 1995 | 1.6 | |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a lower value has gone unreported.
| Record lowest winter mean temperature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for winter |
||
| Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) | 7.2 | = 7.2 | in 1982 | 31 | 8.1 |
| Fingal (Legge Street) | 5.9 | = 5.9 | in 1992 | 28 | 6.9 |
| Dover | 7.2 | 7.3 | in 1992 | 25 | 8.3 |
| Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 3.7 | 4.0 | in 1992 | 25 | 4.8 |
| Strahan Aerodrome | 8.2 | = 8.2 | in 2007 | 22 | 9.1 |
| Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) | 9.7 | 9.8 | in 1992 | 21 | 10.6 |
| Ross (The Boulevards) | 5.7 | 6.1 | in 1995 | 21 | 6.9 |
| Lowest winter mean temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent lower |
Average for winter |
|||
| Burnie (Round Hill) | 8.9 | 8.7 | in 1971* | 9.7 | |
| Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) | 7.4 | 7.0 | in 1978* | 8.2 | |
| Marrawah | 9.3 | =9.3 | in 1992 | 9.9 | |
| Bicheno (Council Depot) | 9.8 | =9.8 | in 1995 | 10.4 | |
| Cape Bruny Lighthouse | 8.8 | 8.4 | in 1995 | 9.0 | |
| Devonport Airport | 8.2 | 8.1 | in 1995 | 9.1 | |
| Flinders Island Airport | 9.7 | =9.7 | in 1995 | 10.2 | |
| Hobart Airport | 8.4 | 8.2 | in 1995 | 8.7 | |
| Larapuna (Eddystone Point) | 10.0 | 9.8 | in 1995 | 10.5 | |
| Macquarie Island | 2.5 | 1.9 | in 1995 | 3.3 | |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a lower value has gone unreported.
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
| Summary statistics for winter 2015 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum temperatures (°C) |
Minimum temperatures (°C) |
Rainfall (millimetres) |
||||||||||
| Mean for winter 2015 |
Diff from average |
Highest for winter 2015 |
Mean for winter 2015 |
Diff from average |
Lowest for winter 2015 |
Total for winter 2015 |
Average for winter |
Rank of winter 2015 |
Fraction of winter average |
|||
| Northern (district 91) | ||||||||||||
| Bridport (Sea View Villas) | 13.1 | -0.6 | 16.8 | 27 Aug | 5.1 | -0.7 | -0.5 | 18 Aug | 184.8 | 247.2 | low | 75% |
| Burnie (Round Hill) | 12.8 | -0.3 | 16.2 | 12 Jul | 5.0 | -1.3 | 0.6 | 1 Jun | 222.5 | 336.6 | low | 66% |
| Cape Grim | 11.7 | 15.3 | 7 Jun | 7.5 | 2.9 | 7 Jul | 299.8 | |||||
| Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) | 11.9 | -0.9 | 15.7 | 7 Jun | 7.4 | -1.1 | 3.1 | 3 Aug | 310.0 | 289.2 | average | 107% |
| Cressy Research Station | 11.4 | -1.0 | 16.2 | 22 Aug | 0.9 | -1.1 | -6.4 | 19 Jul | 101.0 | 189.1 | v low | 53% |
| Devonport Airport | 12.5 | -0.6 | 16.0 | 27 Aug | 4.0 | -1.0 | -2.2 | 19 Jul | 180.3 | 263.1 | low | 69% |
| Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) | 12.6 | -0.6 | 16.7 | 27 Aug | 1.8 | -1.2 | -3.4 | 21 Jun | 153.9 | 230.9 | low | 67% |
| Launceston Airport | 11.3 | -1.1 | 15.5 | 26 Jun | 1.2 | -1.5 | -5.4 | 4 Jun | 136.8 | 200.9 | low | 68% |
| Low Head | 12.2 | -1.0 | 15.2 | 27 Aug | 6.3 | -1.0 | 0.9 | 18 Jul | 146.2 | 224.1 | low | 65% |
| Luncheon Hill (Forestry) | 10.1 | -1.0 | 14.0 | 27 Aug | 4.0 | -1.3 | -0.9 | 3 Aug | 553.8 | 557.1 | average | 99% |
| Marrawah | 12.1 | -0.5 | 15.7 | 7 Jun | 6.5 | -0.6 | 2.2 | 18 Jul | 335.8 | 392.4 | low | 86% |
| Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) | 11.6 | -0.8 | 16.0 | 27 Aug | 3.2 | -0.8 | -3.0 | 4 Aug | 233.2 | 340.2 | low | 69% |
| Smithton Aerodrome | 12.8 | -0.7 | 16.3 | 7 Jun | 4.1 | -0.9 | -3.9 | 20 Jun | 279.6 | 326.0 | average | 86% |
| Wynyard Airport | 12.6 | -0.5 | 16.0 | 7 Jun | 3.0 | -0.9 | -3.6 | 21 Jun | 259.8 | 354.5 | low | 73% |
| East Coast (district 92) | ||||||||||||
| Bicheno (Council Depot) | 13.9 | -0.5 | 19.5 | 6 Jun | 5.6 | -0.8 | 0.9 | 4 Aug | 100.2 | 163.2 | low | 61% |
| Fingal (Legge Street) | 11.9 | -0.8 | 18.3 | 6 Jun | -0.2 | -1.2 | -7.2 | 19 Jul | 108.2 | 180.3 | low | 60% |
| Friendly Beaches | 13.4 | -0.8 | 19.1 | 21 Aug | 4.9 | -1.2 | -0.6 | 19 Jul | 115.6 | 151.8 | low | 76% |
| Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 8.2 | -0.8 | 13.2 | 21 Aug | -0.6 | -1.2 | -6.2 | 21 Jun | 137.6 | 241.2 | low | 57% |
| Larapuna (Eddystone Point) | 13.4 | -0.2 | 16.8 | 26 Jun | 6.6 | -0.8 | 0.6 | 18 Aug | 140.6 | 221.4 | low | 64% |
| Maria Island (Point Lesueur) | 12.3 | -0.8 | 17.5 | 22 Aug | 6.8 | -0.9 | 2.2 | 3 Aug | 86.8 | 120.8 | v low | 72% |
| St Helens Aerodrome | 13.2 | -0.8 | 18.0 | 6 Jun | 4.0 | -1.3 | -0.9 | 3 Jul | 116.8 | 168.1 | low | 69% |
| Swan Island | 12.9 | -0.7 | 16.6 | 23 Jun | 7.7 | -1.0 | 3.5 | 18 Aug | 190.8 | 190.9 | average | 100% |
| Swansea (Francis Street) | 13.2 | 20.0 | 21 Aug | 3.4 | -2.9 | 19 Jul | 75.0 | |||||
| Midlands (district 93) | ||||||||||||
| Ross (The Boulevards) | 10.7 | -1.2 | 15.6 | 6 Jun | 0.7 | -1.1 | -6.1 | 19 Jul | 95.0 | 125.9 | average | 75% |
| Southeast (district 94) | ||||||||||||
| Campania (Kincora) | 12.7 | -1.0 | 20.0 | 7 Jun | 3.2 | -0.5 | -2.7 | 19 Jul | 96.4 | 125.4 | low | 77% |
| Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) | 11.8 | -0.7 | 18.2 | 7 Jun | 5.8 | -1.1 | 1.6 | 3 Aug | 211.4 | 237.8 | average | 89% |
| Cape Bruny Lighthouse | 11.7 | +0.1 | 18.4 | 7 Jun | 5.9 | -0.5 | 0.9 | 5 Aug | 199.1 | 277.3 | low | 72% |
| Dennes Point | 12.1 | 19.6 | 7 Jun | 5.6 | 0.9 | 3 Aug | 148.0 | |||||
| Dover | 11.8 | -0.9 | 18.0 | 7 Jun | 2.6 | -1.2 | -2.0 | 8 Jul | 285.4 | 256.4 | average | 111% |
| Dunalley (Stroud Point) | 12.2 | 19.3 | 7 Jun | 5.7 | 0.7 | 3 Aug | 108.6 | |||||
| Grove (Research Station) | 11.9 | -0.8 | 19.0 | 7 Jun | 1.5 | -0.7 | -3.8 | 9 Jul | 249.2 | 210.3 | average | 118% |
| Hobart (Ellerslie Road) | 12.5 | +0.2 | 19.8 | 7 Jun | 4.5 | -0.5 | 0.3 | 22 Jun | 131.0 | 159.7 | average | 82% |
| Hobart Airport | 12.8 | -0.2 | 19.6 | 7 Jun | 4.0 | -0.5 | -0.9 | 3 Jul | 77.6 | 122.6 | low | 63% |
| Melton Mowbray (North Stockman) | 11.0 | -1.0 | 18.6 | 7 Jun | 1.5 | -0.8 | -4.7 | 8 Jul | 99.4 | 118.8 | average | 84% |
| Mount Wellington | 2.2 | -0.8 | 9.0 | 13 Jun | -2.2 | -0.9 | -7.5 | 3 Aug | 112.0 | 213.0 | low | 53% |
| Tunnack Fire Station | 9.0 | -1.1 | 14.1 | 22 Aug | 0.8 | -1.1 | -6.3 | 8 Jul | 112.2 | 168.0 | low | 67% |
| Derwent Valley (district 95) | ||||||||||||
| Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) | 12.1 | +0.2 | 19.7 | 7 Jun | 1.1 | -0.9 | -5.1 | 9 Jul | 150.0 | 151.6 | average | 99% |
| Ouse Fire Station | 11.6 | -0.8 | 19.3 | 7 Jun | 0.9 | -0.7 | -6.8 | 8 Jul | 152.8 | 159.2 | average | 96% |
| Central Plateau (district 96) | ||||||||||||
| Butlers Gorge | 7.3 | -0.3 | 12.6 | 26 Aug | -0.4 | -0.4 | -6.6 | 9 Jul | 436.6 | 506.9 | low | 86% |
| Lake St Clair National Park | 6.6 | -1.2 | 11.8 | 26 Aug | -1.0 | -1.2 | -6.7 | 8 Jul | 521.0 | 611.9 | average | 85% |
| Liawenee | 5.1 | -1.2 | 12.0 | 13 Jun | -2.5 | -1.3 | -11.1 | 8 Aug | 244.6 | 354.9 | v low | 69% |
| West Coast (district 97) | ||||||||||||
| Cape Sorell | 15.2 | 26 Aug | 6.7 | -0.6 | 2.8 | 8 Aug | 237.8 | 445.4 | lowest | 53% | ||
| Hartz Mountain (Keoghs Pimple) | 5.2 | -1.4 | 11.4 | 26 Aug | 0.5 | -1.2 | -4.3 | 3 Aug | 291.4 | 315.2 | average | 92% |
| Low Rocky Point | 11.7 | 15.5 | 15 Jun | 6.2 | 1.9 | 8 Jul | 328.0 | 418.5 | low | 78% | ||
| Scotts Peak Dam | 8.7 | -1.1 | 15.3 | 26 Aug | 2.4 | -1.2 | -1.9 | 8 Jul | 553.4 | 597.7 | average | 93% |
| Strahan Aerodrome | 11.8 | -0.8 | 15.8 | 7 Jun | 4.7 | -0.8 | -1.8 | 24 Aug | 456.2 | 502.8 | average | 91% |
| Warra | 8.0 | -1.2 | 14.6 | 7 Jun | 1.5 | -1.4 | -3.7 | 8 Jul | 568.6 | |||
| King Island (district 98) | ||||||||||||
| King Island Airport | 12.8 | -0.8 | 16.4 | 7 Jun | 7.4 | -0.4 | 1.4 | 31 Aug | 231.8 | 325.4 | low | 71% |
| Flinders Island (district 99) | ||||||||||||
| Flinders Island Airport | 13.2 | -0.6 | 17.8 | 21 Aug | 6.2 | -0.4 | -1.9 | 20 Jun | ||||
| Hogan Island | 12.8 | -0.6 | 16.6 | 21 Aug | 8.4 | -0.9 | 3.2 | 27 Jul | 134.8 | 205.9 | v low | 65% |
| Antarctica and Macquarie Island (district 300) | ||||||||||||
| Macquarie Island | 4.5 | -0.5 | 7.0 | 7 Jun | 0.6 | -1.0 | -5.4 | 12 Jun | 299.8 | 224.8 | v high | 133% |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Notes
The Seasonal climate summary lists 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.
A climate summary is generally published on the first working day of each month.
This statement has been prepared based on information available at 9 am on Tuesday 1 September 2015. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.
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.
The ACORN-SAT dataset is used for temperature area averages.
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
