Tasmania in winter 2023

Rainfall

  • Most of Tasmania had typical winter rainfall totals, but parts of the west were wetter than average while an area of the south-east was drier than average.
  • For Tasmania as a whole, winter rainfall was 5% above average.
  • A couple of sites had their highest winter daily rainfall on record on 23 June when showers developed over northern Tasmania.
  • The wettest day was 30 June when Mt Read recorded 100.8 mm as a low pressure system passed to the south of Tasmania and enhanced the west to south-westerly airstream.
  • Snow settled on the ground across elevated regions of southern Tasmania at times during June, July and August.

Temperature

Hobart (Ellerslie Road)

  • Total rainfall for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 110.6 mm, which is 69% of the long-term average of 159.3 mm.
  • The mean daily maximum temperature for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 14.5 °C, which is 2.2 °C above the long-term average of 12.3 °C.
  • The warmest day was 19.6 °C on 3 August, and the coolest day was on 4 July when the temperature reached 9.5 °C.
  • The mean daily minimum temperature for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 6.7 °C, which is 1.7 °C above the long-term average of 5.0 °C.
  • The coldest morning was 1.6 °C on 5 June, and the warmest morning was on 13 July when the minimum temperature was 13.0 °C.

Extremes in winter 2023
Hottest day 20.6 °C at Hobart Airport on 29 Aug
Warmest days on average 15.7 °C at Bicheno (Council Depot)
Coolest days on average 4.5 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle)
4.5 °C at Mount Read
Coldest day -2.0 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) on 19 Jun
Coldest night -8.1 °C at Liawenee on 4 Jun
Coolest nights on average -0.3 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle)
Warmest nights on average 9.8 °C at Hogan Island
Warmest night 14.5 °C at larapuna (Eddystone Point) on 8 Jun
Warmest on average overall 11.9 °C at Hogan Island
Coolest on average overall 2.1 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle)
Wettest overall 1602.4 mm at Mount Read
Wettest day 100.8 mm at Mount Read on 30 Jun
Strongest wind gust 200 km/h at Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse on 31 Jul

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

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Record highest winter daily rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Friendly Beaches 91.8 on 23 Jun 62.0 on 11 Aug 2010 27
St Helens Aerodrome 83.6 on 23 Jun 49.0 on 11 Aug 2010 23



Record highest winter mean daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
winter
Hobart (Ellerslie Road) 14.5 13.9 in 1988 140 12.3
Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) 14.3 14.1 in 2014 39 13.2
Wynyard Airport 14.0 = 14.0 in 2014 36 13.2
Devonport Airport 14.1 14.0 in 2014 31 13.2
Ross (The Boulevards) 13.1 12.7 in 2002 29 11.9
Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) 13.3 = 13.3 in 2014 26 12.5
Friendly Beaches 15.3 15.1 in 2005 26 14.2
Sheffield School Farm 12.0 11.9 in 2014 26 11.3
Tunnack Fire Station 11.4 10.8 in 2014 25 10.0
Campania (Kincora) 15.1 14.6 in 2002 23 13.6
Liawenee 7.3 = 7.3 in 2014 22 6.2
St Helens Aerodrome 15.0 14.7 in 2014 22 14.0
Tasman Island 12.2 11.9 in 2005 21 11.2

Highest winter mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
winter
Bicheno (Council Depot) 15.7 15.9 in 1988* 14.4
Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) 13.7 13.8 in 2002 11.9
Ouse Fire Station 13.2 13.5 in 2002 12.3

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




Record highest winter daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
winter
Wynyard Airport 13.9 on 17 Jun 13.8 on 2 Jun 2014 37 3.8
Devonport Airport 14.1 on 17 Jun 13.9 on 1 Jun 1992 32 5.0



Record highest winter mean daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
winter
Hobart (Ellerslie Road) 6.7 6.4 in 2002 140 5.0
Cape Sorell 8.9 8.5 in 2014 81 7.4
Butlers Gorge 1.8 1.2 in 2016 61 0.0
Flinders Island Airport 8.3 = 8.3 in 2016 61 6.7
Marrawah 8.2 8.1 in 2002 52 7.1
Bicheno (Council Depot) 7.5 7.4 in 2021 46 6.4
Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) 4.7 = 4.7 in 2009 39 2.9
Wynyard Airport 5.4 5.1 in 2021 36 3.8
Devonport Airport 6.4 6.2 in 2009 31 5.0
Strahan Aerodrome 7.3 6.6 in 2002 30 5.5
King Island Airport 8.9 8.6 in 2002 27 7.8
Luncheon Hill (Forestry) 6.1 5.9 in 2014 26 5.2
Sheffield School Farm 4.7 4.5 in 2001 26 3.6
Smithton Aerodrome 6.6 5.9 in 2009 26 4.9
Low Head 8.6 8.1 in 2021 25 7.2
Campania (Kincora) 4.7 = 4.7 in 2009 23 3.7
Scotts Peak Dam 4.4 = 4.4 in 2002 23 3.6
St Helens Aerodrome 6.4 = 6.4 in 2009 22 5.2
Swan Island 9.6 9.5 in 2021 21 8.7
Tasman Island 7.8 7.6 in 2014 21 6.8

Highest winter mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
winter
Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) 5.1 5.5 in 2001 4.0
Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) 7.6 7.7 in 2002 6.8



Record highest winter mean temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
winter
Hobart (Ellerslie Road) 10.6 10.1 in 1988 140 8.7
Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) 8.3 8.1 in 2002 85 6.9
Cape Sorell 11.2 = 11.2 in 2014 81 9.7
Butlers Gorge 5.2 5.0 in 2014 61 3.8
Flinders Island Airport 11.4 11.3 in 2005 61 10.2
Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) 9.5 9.1 in 2009 39 8.1
Wynyard Airport 9.7 9.4 in 2021 36 8.5
Devonport Airport 10.3 10.0 in 2021 31 9.1
Strahan Aerodrome 10.3 10.0 in 2021 30 9.1
King Island Airport 11.6 11.5 in 2013 27 10.7
Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) 10.5 10.4 in 2002 26 9.6
Friendly Beaches 10.9 = 10.9 in 2005 26 10.1
Sheffield School Farm 8.3 8.1 in 2005 26 7.5
Smithton Aerodrome 10.3 9.9 in 2014 26 9.2
Low Head 11.1 10.8 in 2021 25 10.2
Tunnack Fire Station 6.9 6.7 in 2005 25 5.9
Campania (Kincora) 9.9 9.5 in 2002 23 8.7
Liawenee 3.6 3.3 in 2005 22 2.5
St Helens Aerodrome 10.7 10.2 in 2009 22 9.6
Swan Island 11.8 = 11.8 in 2014 21 11.1
Tasman Island 10.0 9.7 in 2014 21 9.0

Highest winter mean temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
winter
Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) 9.0 9.3 in 2001 8.2
Ouse Fire Station 8.0 8.1 in 2002 6.9



Summary statistics for winter 2023
Maximum temperatures
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
(°C)
Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
winter
2023
Diff
from
average
Highest for
winter
2023
Mean for
winter
2023
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
winter
2023
Total for
winter
2023
Average
for
winter
Rank of
winter
2023
Fraction of
winter
average
Northern (district 91)
Cape Grim 13.2 +0.6 16.0 4 Aug 9.4 +1.0 4.6 14 Aug 438.6 349.3 high 126%
Cressy (Brumbys Creek) 13.2   16.8 19 Aug 3.2   -3.9 3 Jul 196.4
Devonport Airport 14.1 +0.9 17.6 19 Aug 6.4 +1.4 -0.3 15 Aug 257.6 261.4 average 99%
Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) 14.3 +1.1 18.3 10 Aug 4.7 +1.8 -2.5 29 Jun 252.4 230.6 average 109%
Launceston Airport 13.3 +1.0 16.7 30 Aug 3.7 +1.2 -2.9 21 Jun 203.0 200.8 average 101%
Low Head 13.7 +0.6 15.8 28 Aug 8.6 +1.4 2.8 15 Aug 204.2 224.9 average 91%
Luncheon Hill (Forestry) 11.4 +0.4 15.2 3 Aug 6.1 +0.9 1.4 13 Aug 666.8 563.7 high 118%
Marrawah 13.4 +0.7 16.2 4 Aug 8.2 +1.1 3.5 19 Jul 445.2 397.3 high 112%
Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) 12.9 +0.5 17.4 7 Jun 5.1 +1.1 -1.1 20 Jun 350.0 338.3 average 103%
Sheffield School Farm 12.0 +0.7 16.4 2 Jul 4.7 +1.1 -1.4 21 Jun 422.4 383.9 average 110%
Smithton Aerodrome 14.1 +0.6 17.3 3 Aug 6.6 +1.7 0.3 13 Aug 452.4 341.1 high 133%
Wynyard Airport 14.0 +0.8 16.2 23 Aug 5.4 +1.6 -1.8 21 Jun 353.4 354.0 average 100%
East Coast (district 92)
Bicheno (Council Depot) 15.7 +1.3 19.4 19 Aug 7.5 +1.1 2.5 20 Jun 127.6 163.3 average 78%
Fingal (Fleming St) 13.8   17.9 20 Aug 1.6   -6.0 21 Jun 107.4
Friendly Beaches 15.3 +1.1 18.5 29 Aug 6.6 +0.6 0.5 16 Aug 162.8 155.5 average 105%
larapuna (Eddystone Point) 14.9 +1.5 18.7 19 Aug 8.3 +1.1 3.4 29 Jun 151.6 217.7 low 70%
Maria Island (Point Lesueur) 14.1 +1.1 17.9 21 Aug 8.6 +0.9 4.9 20 Jul 118.4 121.7 average 97%
St Helens Aerodrome 15.0 +1.0 19.3 2 Jul 6.4 +1.2 -0.3 20 Jun 171.4 164.7 average 104%
Swan Island 14.1 +0.5 17.7 6 Jun 9.6 +0.9 4.3 21 Jun 189.2 174.5 average 108%
Swansea (Francis Street) 15.0 +1.0 19.2 29 Aug 5.0 +0.6 -1.2 16 Aug 135.2 122.7 average 110%
Midlands (district 93)
Ross (The Boulevards) 13.1 +1.2 17.6 6 Jun 1.4 -0.3 -5.9 21 Jun 140.0 128.5 average 109%
Southeast (district 94)
Campania (Kincora) 15.1 +1.5 20.1 24 Aug 4.7 +1.0 -3.1 16 Aug 63.8 126.1 v low 51%
Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) 13.3 +0.8 18.2 3 Aug 7.6 +0.8 3.8 15 Aug 172.8 236.3 v low 73%
Dennes Point 14.1 +1.2 19.1 21 Aug 7.4 +0.8 2.6 16 Aug 103.4 150.3 v low 69%
Dover 13.2 +0.5 19.2 17 Jun 4.7 +0.9 -0.8 5 Jun 219.1 258.0 average 85%
Dunalley (Stroud Point) 14.3 +1.3 19.4 29 Aug 7.3 +0.8 2.4 16 Aug 76.8 139.1 v low 55%
Grove (Research Station) 13.9 +1.2 19.3 3 Aug 3.3 +1.0 -3.6 21 Jun 171.4 220.2 low 78%
Hobart (Ellerslie Road) 14.5 +2.2 19.6 3 Aug 6.7 +1.7 1.6 5 Jun 110.6 159.3 low 69%
Hobart Airport 15.0   20.6 29 Aug 5.3   -1.2 3 Jul 52.0
kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) 4.5 +1.5 11.4 3 Jul -0.3 +1.0 -4.6 15 Aug 116.4 217.9 low 53%
Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse 11.9 +0.7 17.7 7 Jun 8.0 +1.1 4.5 31 Jul 385.8 368.6 average 105%
Tasman Island 12.2 +1.0 16.8 21 Aug 7.8 +1.0 4.1 31 Jul 122.6 204.5 low 60%
Tunnack Fire Station 11.4 +1.4 16.5 29 Aug 2.5 +0.7 -5.2 4 Jun 98.2 166.9 low 59%
Derwent Valley (district 95)
Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) 13.7 +1.8 20.0 29 Aug 2.9 +1.0 -3.9 16 Aug 112.2 151.4 low 74%
Ouse Fire Station 13.2 +0.9 19.0 13 Jul 2.8 +1.2 -4.9 3 Jul 123.2 160.6 low 77%
Central Plateau (district 96)
Butlers Gorge 8.7 +1.0 14.4 28 Aug 1.8 +1.8 -5.7 5 Jun 556.8 512.5 average 109%
Liawenee 7.3 +1.1 12.9 3 Jul -0.1 +1.2 -8.1 4 Jun 188.0 331.0 low 57%
West Coast (district 97)
Cape Sorell 13.5 +1.4 17.5 7 Jun 8.9 +1.5 3.7 14 Aug 440.0 443.9 average 99%
Hartz Mountain (Keoghs Pimple) 6.8 +0.4 15.4 3 Jul 2.2 +0.6 -1.4 26 Aug 332.0 340.3 average 98%
Low Rocky Point 13.1 +0.4 19.4 6 Jun 8.1 +0.9 2.3 4 Jun 489.0 431.9 average 113%
Mount Read 4.5 +0.4 11.7 3 Jul 1.0 +0.6 -2.7 20 Jun 1602.4 1134.5 high 141%
Scotts Peak Dam 10.2 +0.4 16.1 28 Aug 4.4 +0.8 -0.8 14 Aug 649.8 634.8 average 102%
Strahan Aerodrome 13.4 +0.7 19.5 6 Jun 7.3 +1.8 0.1 4 Jun 564.2 519.1 average 109%
Warra 9.8 +0.7 15.1 3 Aug 3.8 +1.0 -2.3 14 Aug 618.4 544.1 high 114%
King Island (district 98)
King Island Airport 14.3 +0.7 17.7 6 Jun 8.9 +1.1 0.3 14 Aug 278.6 326.9 low 85%
Flinders Island (district 99)
Flinders Island Airport 14.5 +0.7 20.0 7 Jun 8.3 +1.6 -0.6 21 Jun 213.0 228.0 average 93%
Hogan Island 14.0 +0.6 18.1 4 Aug 9.8 +0.6 6.0 20 Jun 165.2 205.3 low 80%
Note: From 2017, information about Macquarie Island can be found in the climate summary for the Remote Islands and Antarctica

Notes

The Seasonal climate summary, usually published in the first week of the following month, 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.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 10 am on Friday 1 September 2023. 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.

Information about Australian Indigenous seasonal calendars is available at the Indigenous Weather Knowledge website.


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