Monday, 1 December 2014 - Seasonal Climate Summary for Tasmania - Product code IDCKGC27R0
Tasmania in spring 2014: unusually warm and unusually dry
Warm and dry weather was dominant in Tasmania during spring 2014, with mean maximum temperatures well above average in the eastern half and some sites (including Hobart) having their highest spring mean daily maximum on record. September was especially warm with many records set, and October and November were also generally above average. November had very variable weather, with Flinders Island having the warmest day of spring on 8 November but Mount Wellington have the coldest day of spring on the 2 November.
Rainfall was below average in almost all areas, and well below average in the northwest and parts of the southeast, with a few sites having their driest spring for several decades. Although totals were close to normal in October, both September and November were relatively dry in most areas, continuing a pattern of generally below-average rain that started in December 2013. The below-average rain of spring 2014 stands in stark contrast to the wet spring of 2013. Rainfall in Tasmania is well below average for the year so far.
Spring is often a time when Tasmania is affected by westerly winds, and this year was no exception. Cold fronts in those westerlies ensured highly variable temperatures, with high temperatures on some days giving way to a cold outbreak and highland snow. On several days, especially in late September and through October, winds became strong and gusty. Along with the damage these winds caused, when combined with warm temperatures and dry conditions they led to heightened early-season bushfire danger.
- Warm overall, with September especially mild
- Highest mean spring maximum temperatures on record at Hobart and some others locations
- Below average rain, with some records
- Strong and damaging winds on several days
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Further information
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
- Enquiries
- helpdesk.climate@bom.gov.au
| Extremes in spring 2014 | |
|---|---|
| Hottest day | 32.1 °C at Flinders Island Airport on 8 Nov |
| Warmest days on average | 19.2 °C at Friendly Beaches |
| Coolest days on average | 8.3 °C at Mount Read |
| Coldest day | -0.6 °C at Mount Wellington on 2 Nov |
| Coldest night | -8.1 °C at Liawenee on 15 Sep |
| Coolest nights on average | 0.8 °C at Mount Wellington |
| Warmest nights on average | 10.8 °C at Swan Island |
| Warmest night | 17.5 °C at King Island Airport on 8 Nov |
| Warmest on average overall | 14.1 °C at Friendly Beaches |
| Coolest on average overall | 4.7 °C at Mount Wellington |
| Wettest overall | 1040.4 mm at Mount Read |
| Driest overall | 51.4 mm at Tunbridge (Austin-Vale) |
| Wettest day | 87.8 mm at Mount Victoria (Una Plain) on 7 Oct |
| Strongest wind gust | 148 km/h at: Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) on 6 Oct Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse on 28 Oct Mount Read on 28 Oct |
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 lowest spring total rainfall | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (mm) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for spring |
||
| Marrawah | 151.4 | 176.6 | in 2006 | 44 | 261.9 |
| King Island Airport | 106.2 | 118.0 | in 2006 | 40 | 217.1 |
| Savage River Mine | 324.2 | 330.6 | in 1976 | 39 | 501.8 |
| Maydena Post Office | 233.8 | 252.2 | in 1993 | 22 | 349.6 |
| Nierinna (Cuthberts Road) | 169.6 | 175.2 | in 1999 | 21 | 274.3 |
| Ross (The Boulevards) | 72.4 | 72.8 | in 2007 | 21 | 143.8 |
| Lowest spring total rainfall for at least 20 years | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Observed (mm) |
Most recent lower | Years since lower |
Average for spring |
||
| Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 97.2 | 80.9 | in 1914* | 99 | 208.9 |
| Cape Sorell | 195.2 | 165.5 | in 1927* | 62 | 318.3 |
| Bothwell (Cluny) | 86.4 | 68.8 | in 1961 | 53 | 153.7 |
| Cape Bruny Lighthouse | 166.2 | 165.4 | in 1963 | 51 | 240.4 |
| Renison Bell | 375.3 | 372.8 | in 1961* | 46 | 596.3 |
| Rotherwood | 111.2 | 105.2 | in 1982 | 32 | 173.1 |
| Fern Tree (Grays Road) | 203.9 | 199.9 | in 1981* | 31 | 330.3 |
| Whitemark Post Office | 93.0 | 76.2 | in 1982* | 31 | 170.2 |
| Flinders Island Airport | 94.2 | 90.6 | in 1982* | 30 | 179.1 |
| Bronte Heights | 172.3 | 160.5 | in 1969* | 25 | 266.2 |
| Huonville (Tutton Avenue) | 140.0 | 135.3 | in 1977* | 24 | 212.2 |
| Lymington (Fattys Lane) | 121.8 | 111.2 | in 1990* | 23 | 211.8 |
| Margate (Sunnyside) | 125.6 | 124.8 | in 1990* | 23 | 207.6 |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a lower value has gone unreported.
| Record highest spring mean daily maximum temperature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for spring |
||
| Hobart (Ellerslie Road) | 18.5 | 18.2 | in 1921 | 132 | 16.9 |
| Flinders Island Airport | 18.0 | = 18.0 | in 2009 | 51 | 16.8 |
| Mount Wellington | 8.6 | 8.4 | in 2012 | 30 | 7.1 |
| Fingal (Legge Street) | 18.7 | = 18.7 | in 1987 | 28 | 17.4 |
| Dover | 17.4 | 17.0 | in 2005 | 24 | 16.1 |
| Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 14.7 | 14.4 | in 2007 | 24 | 13.6 |
| Highest spring mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent higher | Years since higher |
Average for spring |
||
| Orford (Aubin Court) | 18.1 | 18.9 | in 1982 | 32 | 17.2 |
| Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) | 19.1 | 19.3 | in 1987* | 24 | 18.0 |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported.
| Record highest spring daily minimum temperature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for spring |
|||
| Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) | 16.8 | on 8 Nov | 16.5 | on 27 Nov 1978 | 53 | 5.7 |
| King Island Airport | 17.5 | on 8 Nov | 17.0 | on 20 Oct 2011 | 20 | 9.1 |
| Record lowest spring temperature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for spring |
|||
| Butlers Gorge | -6.5 | on 7 Sep | -6.0 | on 12 Sep 2013 | 42 | 2.5 |
| Highest spring mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent higher | Years since higher |
Average for spring |
||
| Cape Sorell | 9.5 | 9.6 | in 1950* | 24 | 8.7 |
* 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 |
||
| Hobart (Ellerslie Road) | 13.7 | 13.5 | in 1981 | 132 | 12.4 |
| Larapuna (Eddystone Point) | 13.9 | = 13.9 | in 2011 | 55 | 12.9 |
| Bicheno (Council Depot) | 13.9 | = 13.9 | in 1972 | 38 | 13.0 |
| Dover | 12.1 | 12.0 | in 2005 | 24 | 11.2 |
| Highest spring mean temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent higher | Years since higher |
Average for spring |
||
| Cape Sorell | 12.6 | 12.8 | in 1937* | 36 | 11.5 |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported.
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
| Summary statistics for spring 2014 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum temperatures (°C) |
Minimum temperatures (°C) |
Rainfall (millimetres) |
||||||||||
| Mean for spring 2014 |
Diff from average |
Highest for spring 2014 |
Mean for spring 2014 |
Diff from average |
Lowest for spring 2014 |
Total for spring 2014 |
Average for spring |
Rank of spring 2014 |
Fraction of spring average |
|||
| Northern (district 91) | ||||||||||||
| Bridport (Sea View Villas) | 22.0 | 8 Nov | 6.7 | -1.5 | 1.0 | 3 Nov | 112.4 | 178.2 | low | 63% | ||
| Burnie (Round Hill) | 16.9 | +0.9 | 23.1 | 27 Nov | 9.1 | +0.9 | 3.8 | 1 Oct | 151.2 | 242.4 | v low | 62% |
| Cape Grim | 14.5 | 21.1 | 30 Nov | 9.8 | 4.3 | 20 Oct | 140.0 | |||||
| Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) | 15.1 | +0.5 | 21.0 | 30 Nov | 9.8 | +0.3 | 4.5 | 15 Sep | 139.4 | 193.3 | low | 72% |
| Cressy Research Station | 17.9 | +0.5 | 26.0 | 8 Nov | 5.3 | -0.2 | -2.2 | 15 Sep | 119.6 | 169.6 | average | 71% |
| Devonport Airport | 16.6 | +0.7 | 22.2 | 5 Nov | 7.5 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 3 Sep | 114.7 | 196.3 | v low | 58% |
| Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) | 19.1 | +1.1 | 27.1 | 30 Nov | 7.2 | +0.2 | 0.5 | 3 Sep | 94.8 | 169.2 | v low | 56% |
| Launceston Airport | 18.3 | +0.7 | 27.0 | 8 Nov | 5.3 | -0.5 | -0.3 | 12 Sep | 108.2 | 158.8 | low | 68% |
| Low Head | 16.1 | +0.6 | 21.2 | 30 Nov | 10.0 | +0.2 | 4.3 | 14 Oct | 110.4 | 163.9 | low | 67% |
| Luncheon Hill (Forestry) | 15.3 | +0.5 | 23.4 | 7 Nov | 6.7 | +0.3 | 0.6 | 14 Oct | 267.2 | 401.5 | v low | 67% |
| Marrawah | 15.8 | +0.7 | 22.8 | 30 Nov | 9.0 | +0.7 | 2.5 | 20 Oct | 151.4 | 261.9 | lowest | 58% |
| Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) | 17.3 | +0.9 | 24.8 | 8 Nov | 6.2 | +0.1 | 0.7 | 3 Nov | 174.6 | 249.1 | low | 70% |
| Sheffield School Farm | 15.9 | +0.5 | 23.0 | 30 Nov | 5.7 | -0.3 | -0.8 | 15 Sep | 201.6 | 292.2 | low | 69% |
| Smithton Aerodrome | 16.9 | +0.4 | 22.2 | 30 Nov | 6.9 | -0.4 | -0.8 | 7 Sep | 157.6 | 240.0 | v low | 66% |
| Wynyard Airport | 17.1 | +0.9 | 23.3 | 23 Nov | 6.5 | +0.1 | -0.4 | 15 Sep | 167.6 | 260.7 | v low | 64% |
| East Coast (district 92) | ||||||||||||
| Bicheno (Council Depot) | 18.2 | +0.9 | 26.6 | 28 Sep | 9.5 | +0.9 | 4.5 | 12 Sep | 75.9 | 158.7 | low | 48% |
| Fingal (Legge Street) | 18.7 | +1.3 | 30.2 | 8 Nov | 4.8 | -0.3 | -2.9 | 15 Sep | 90.2 | 149.0 | low | 61% |
| Friendly Beaches | 19.2 | +1.1 | 28.7 | 28 Sep | 9.0 | +0.3 | 3.6 | 5 Sep | 122.4 | 147.9 | average | 83% |
| Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 14.7 | +1.1 | 25.0 | 8 Nov | 3.6 | 0.0 | -4.1 | 15 Sep | 97.2 | 208.9 | v low | 47% |
| Larapuna (Eddystone Point) | 17.9 | +1.5 | 23.6 | 14 Nov | 9.9 | +0.6 | 3.7 | 18 Sep | 127.8 | 193.5 | low | 66% |
| Maria Island (Point Lesueur) | 16.8 | +0.2 | 24.8 | 8 Nov | 9.9 | +0.4 | 4.8 | 2 Nov | 78.2 | 141.2 | low | 55% |
| Orford (Aubin Court) | 18.1 | +0.9 | 30.9 | 8 Nov | 7.8 | +0.5 | 1.7 | 16 Sep | 90.6 | 176.6 | v low | 51% |
| St Helens Aerodrome | 18.8 | +1.3 | 28.5 | 8 Nov | 8.6 | +0.4 | 1.8 | 7 Sep | 109.8 | 203.8 | low | 54% |
| Swan Island | 16.9 | +0.9 | 25.0 | 8 Nov | 10.8 | +0.4 | 5.3 | 3 Sep | 94.8 | 174.8 | low | 54% |
| Swansea (Francis Street) | 18.9 | 30.8 | 8 Nov | 7.9 | 0.7 | 8 Sep | 67.9 | |||||
| Midlands (district 93) | ||||||||||||
| Ross (The Boulevards) | 18.0 | +0.9 | 28.3 | 8 Nov | 5.1 | -0.1 | -3.8 | 14 Oct | 72.4 | 143.8 | lowest | 50% |
| Southeast (district 94) | ||||||||||||
| Campania (Kincora) | 18.7 | +0.5 | 28.6 | 19 Nov | 7.1 | +0.3 | -0.2 | 14 Oct | 97.4 | 137.5 | low | 71% |
| Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) | 16.0 | +0.5 | 26.5 | 28 Sep | 8.7 | +0.3 | 4.6 | 29 Oct | 159.6 | 203.1 | v low | 79% |
| Cape Bruny Lighthouse | 26.4 | 28 Sep | 8.9 | +0.9 | 4.2 | 29 Oct | 166.2 | 240.4 | low | 69% | ||
| Dennes Point | 17.4 | 27.2 | 28 Sep | 9.0 | 3.8 | 7 Sep | 68.2 | |||||
| Dover | 17.4 | +1.3 | 27.7 | 28 Sep | 6.7 | +0.3 | 0.8 | 16 Sep | 164.6 | 240.3 | v low | 68% |
| Dunalley (Stroud Point) | 17.1 | 29.0 | 8 Nov | 9.3 | 4.7 | 2 Nov | 120.0 | |||||
| Geeveston (Cemetery Road) | 17.4 | +0.9 | 28.8 | 7 Nov | 6.2 | +0.1 | -0.6 | 16 Sep | 177.8 | 254.7 | low | 70% |
| Grove (Research Station) | 17.6 | +0.4 | 29.5 | 8 Nov | 5.9 | +0.2 | -1.7 | 5 Sep | 128.0 | 207.2 | v low | 62% |
| Hobart (Ellerslie Road) | 18.5 | +1.6 | 31.0 | 8 Nov | 8.9 | +1.1 | 3.2 | 3 Sep | 103.8 | 169.1 | low | 61% |
| Hobart Airport | 18.3 | +1.1 | 29.1 | 8 Nov | 8.3 | +0.7 | 2.5 | 16 Sep | 81.6 | 132.8 | low | 61% |
| Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse | 13.4 | +0.1 | 25.1 | 7 Nov | 8.2 | +0.6 | 3.8 | 2 Nov | 267.6 | 307.3 | average | 87% |
| Melton Mowbray (North Stockman) | 17.6 | +0.7 | 30.1 | 8 Nov | 5.4 | -0.4 | -3.9 | 14 Oct | 85.2 | 136.2 | v low | 63% |
| Mount Wellington | 8.6 | +1.5 | 20.7 | 8 Nov | 0.8 | +0.5 | -5.0 | 2 Nov | 129.8 | 245.4 | v low | 53% |
| Tasman Island | 14.2 | +0.4 | 25.2 | 28 Sep | 8.1 | +0.4 | 3.0 | 2 Nov | 203.6 | 214.8 | average | 95% |
| Tunnack Fire Station | 15.3 | +0.6 | 23.5 | 8 Nov | 4.2 | -0.4 | -5.2 | 14 Oct | 87.6 | 185.2 | v low | 47% |
| Derwent Valley (district 95) | ||||||||||||
| Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) | 18.6 | +0.9 | 30.0 | 8 Nov | 5.6 | -0.1 | -2.0 | 7 Sep | 106.0 | 164.2 | low | 65% |
| Maydena Post Office | 16.0 | +0.3 | 27.9 | 8 Nov | 4.3 | -0.6 | -2.4 | 14 Oct | 233.8 | 349.6 | lowest | 67% |
| Ouse Fire Station | 18.5 | +0.4 | 30.1 | 8 Nov | 5.1 | -0.3 | -3.3 | 7 Sep | 77.0 | 164.3 | v low | 47% |
| Central Plateau (district 96) | ||||||||||||
| Butlers Gorge | 13.3 | +0.9 | 24.9 | 22 Oct | 2.8 | +0.3 | -6.5 | 7 Sep | 379.0 | 470.0 | low | 81% |
| Liawenee | 12.8 | +1.0 | 23.6 | 22 Oct | 0.9 | -0.1 | -8.1 | 15 Sep | 136.2 | 249.4 | v low | 55% |
| West Coast (district 97) | ||||||||||||
| Cape Sorell | 15.7 | +1.4 | 21.7 | 7 Nov | 9.5 | +0.8 | 4.9 | 2 Nov | 195.2 | 318.3 | v low | 61% |
| Hartz Mountain (Keoghs Pimple) | 11.0 | 0.0 | 23.3 | 7 Nov | 3.0 | +0.1 | -1.6 | 2 Nov | 188.2 | 264.6 | v low | 71% |
| Low Rocky Point | 15.4 | 25.1 | 7 Nov | 8.7 | 3.0 | 6 Oct | 280.6 | 336.7 | low | 83% | ||
| Mount Read | 8.3 | +0.6 | 18.8 | 7 Nov | 1.6 | +0.1 | -3.3 | 2 Nov | 1040.4 | |||
| Scotts Peak Dam | 15.2 | +0.3 | 26.1 | 7 Nov | 5.7 | +0.3 | 0.8 | 2 Nov | 506.6 | 508.0 | average | 100% |
| King Island (district 98) | ||||||||||||
| King Island Airport | 16.8 | +0.9 | 27.9 | 7 Nov | 9.6 | +0.5 | 2.7 | 5 Sep | 106.2 | 217.1 | lowest | 49% |
| Flinders Island (district 99) | ||||||||||||
| Flinders Island Airport | 18.0 | +1.2 | 32.1 | 8 Nov | 9.2 | +0.4 | -0.8 | 3 Sep | 94.2 | 179.1 | v low | 53% |
| Hogan Island | 17.0 | 28.6 | 8 Nov | 10.7 | 4.0 | 18 Sep | 122.2 | 154.8 | low | 79% | ||
| Antarctica and Macquarie Island (district 300) | ||||||||||||
| Macquarie Island | 6.1 | +0.2 | 8.3 | 26 Nov | 2.2 | +0.1 | -3.1 | 22 Sep | 265.4 | 225.4 | high | 118% |
Extremes Maps 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.
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 Monday 1 December 2014. 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
