Monday, 1 March 2021 - Seasonal Climate Summary for Tasmania - Product code IDCKGC27R0
Tasmania in summer 2020-21: wet across the north
Rainfall was above average across northern Tasmania and close to average elsewhere. Temperatures were close to average in most parts but nights were warmer than average in the north-east.
Wettest summer in 10 years
- Summer rainfall was 19% above average for the state overall.
- It was Tasmania's highest summer rainfall since 2010–11.
- Pockets of the north had summer rainfall totals in the wettest 10% of records.
- The state's highest daily rainfall this summer, 125.0 mm, was recorded at Mathinna (Fingal Road) on 21 December when a low pressure system moved across Bass Strait..
- December was wetter than average in the north-east, but close to average elsewhere; February was wetter than average in the far north-east and January's rainfall was close to average for the state as a whole, but wetter than average across the north.
- Several sites had their highest summer daily rainfall on record on 6 February when a complex low pressure system, cold front and pre-frontal trough tracked over Tasmania.
- A few sites had their highest total summer rainfall on record and others their wettest summer for at least 20 years.
Coolest summer days on average in 10 years
- Averaged across the state, the mean maximum temperature was 0.15 °C lower than average and the coolest since summer 2010–11.
- Averaged across the state, the mean minimum temperature was only 0.04 °C lower than average but still the coolest since summer 2008–09.
- Both mean maximum and minimum temperatures were close to average for summer for most of Tasmania, however minimum temperatures were warmer than average for parts of the north-east.
- In terms of mean maximum, mean minimum and mean temperatures, December and February were cooler than average, while January was warmer than average.
- Bicheno (Council Depot) had their warmest summer night on record and their highest summer mean daily minimum temperature on record.
- Orford (Aubin Court) had their lowest summer mean daily minimum temperature since 1995.
Hobart (Ellerslie Road)
- Total rainfall for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 153.0 mm, which is 107% of the long-term average of 142.8 mm.
- The mean daily maximum temperature for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 21.9 °C, which is 0.6 °C above the long-term average of 21.3 °C.
- The warmest day was 37.5 °C on 25 January, and the coolest day was on 16 December when the temperature reached 15.5 °C.
- The mean daily minimum temperature for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 12.2 °C, which is 0.5 °C above the long-term average of 11.7 °C.
- The coldest morning was 6.3 °C on 20 January, and the warmest morning was on 15 December when the minimum temperature was 20.7 °C.
Further information
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Extremes in summer 2020-21 | |
---|---|
Hottest day |
38.0 °C at Dover on 11 Jan 2021 |
Warmest days on average |
23.6 °C at Cressy Research Station |
Coolest days on average |
12.3 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) |
Coldest day |
2.9 °C at Mount Read on 6 Dec 2020 |
Coldest night |
-4.0 °C at Liawenee on 20 Jan 2021 |
Coolest nights on average |
3.8 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) |
Warmest nights on average |
14.2 °C at Bicheno (Council Depot) 14.2 °C at Swan Island |
Warmest night |
21.1 °C at Hobart Airport on 15 Dec 2020 |
Warmest on average overall |
17.6 °C at Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) |
Coolest on average overall |
8.0 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) |
Wettest overall |
671.2 mm at Mount Read |
Wettest day |
125.0 mm at Mathinna (Fingal Road) on 21 Dec 2020 |
Strongest wind gust |
161 km/h at Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse on 2 Dec 2020 |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Maps | |||
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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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Record highest summer daily rainfall | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (mm) |
Old record |
Years of record |
||||
Mauriceton (Jordan River) | 67.0 | on 6 Feb 2021 | 55.9 | on 22 Feb 1969 | 58 | |
Mount Dromedary | 69.4 | on 6 Feb 2021 | 44.6 | on 14 Jan 2015 | 23 | |
Liawenee | 75.2 | on 6 Feb 2021 | 73.8 | on 29 Jan 2016 | 22 |
Record highest summer total rainfall | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (mm) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for summer |
||
Deloraine Railway Bridge (Meander River) | 225.4 | 223.2 | in 2015 | 21 | 118.3 |
Sheffield School Farm | 329.4 | 289.8 | in 2003 | 21 | 161.8 |
Ross (Macquarie River) | 160.6 | = 160.6 | in 2017 | 20 | 94.9 |
Highest summer total rainfall for at least 20 years | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Observed (mm) |
Most recent higher |
Average for summer |
|||
larapuna (Eddystone Point) | 290.0 | 311.2 | in 1976* | 152.1 | |
Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) | 285.0 | 291.8 | in 1985 | 164.6 | |
Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 227.2 | 318.0 | in 1995 | 170.1 | |
Melton Mowbray (North Stockman) | 163.2 | 184.0 | in 1998 | 105.0 |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported
Record highest summer daily minimum temperature | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for summer |
|||
Bicheno (Council Depot) | 19.5 | on 19 Feb 2021 | = 19.5 | on 8 Feb 2018 | 47 | 12.7 |
Record highest summer mean daily minimum temperature | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for summer |
||
Bicheno (Council Depot) | 14.2 | = 14.2 | in 2015 | 43 | 12.7 |
Lowest summer mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent lower |
Average for summer |
|||
Orford (Aubin Court) | 11.2 | 10.8 | in 1995 | 11.6 |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Summary statistics for summer 2020-21 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum temperatures (°C) |
Minimum temperatures (°C) |
Rainfall (millimetres) |
||||||||||
Mean for summer 2020-21 |
Diff from average |
Highest for summer 2020-21 |
Mean for summer 2020-21 |
Diff from average |
Lowest for summer 2020-21 |
Total for summer 2020-21 |
Average for summer |
Rank of summer 2020-21 |
Fraction of summer average |
|||
Northern (district 91) | ||||||||||||
Cape Grim | 18.2 | -0.7 | 24.5 | 19 Feb 2021 | 12.5 | -0.7 | 8.0 | 11 Dec 2020 | 147.6 | 118.2 | high | 125% |
Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) | 18.1 | -0.7 | 24.5 | 19 Feb 2021 | 12.5 | -0.5 | 8.1 | 11 Dec 2020 | 187.8 | 118.7 | v high | 158% |
Cressy Research Station | 23.6 | -0.9 | 32.3 | 11 Jan 2021 | 9.0 | -0.9 | -0.7 | 3 Dec 2020 | 197.0 | 109.8 | high | 179% |
Devonport Airport | 21.1 | 0.0 | 27.5 | 30 Jan 2021 | 11.8 | -0.2 | 3.6 | 28 Dec 2020 | 179.8 | 131.6 | high | 137% |
Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) | 23.5 | -0.5 | 31.8 | 15 Dec 2020 | 11.5 | -0.4 | 2.9 | 8 Dec 2020 | 196.4 | 126.8 | v high | 155% |
Launceston Airport | 22.6 | -1.5 | 31.6 | 25 Jan 2021 | 9.7 | -0.7 | 1.7 | 8 Dec 2020 | 170.2 | 118.3 | high | 144% |
Luncheon Hill (Forestry) | 19.3 | -1.0 | 30.1 | 11 Jan 2021 | 9.6 | -0.5 | 4.1 | 28 Dec 2020 | ||||
Marrawah | 19.0 | -0.8 | 26.3 | 11 Jan 2021 | 11.4 | -0.3 | 7.0 | 11 Dec 2020 | 226.2 | 156.5 | high | 145% |
Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) | 21.0 | -1.3 | 30.9 | 25 Jan 2021 | 10.6 | +0.1 | 2.5 | 8 Dec 2020 | 285.0 | 164.6 | v high | 173% |
Sheffield School Farm | 20.2 | -1.1 | 30.8 | 25 Jan 2021 | 9.5 | -0.7 | 3.4 | 8 Dec 2020 | 329.4 | 161.8 | highest | 204% |
Smithton Aerodrome | 20.6 | -0.6 | 28.7 | 25 Jan 2021 | 10.4 | -0.4 | 1.7 | 23 Feb 2021 | 203.6 | 135.6 | v high | 150% |
Wynyard Airport | 20.8 | -0.4 | 32.2 | 25 Jan 2021 | 11.1 | +0.2 | 3.7 | 28 Dec 2020 | 252.4 | 155.6 | v high | 162% |
East Coast (district 92) | ||||||||||||
Bicheno (Council Depot) | 20.3 | -0.8 | 36.0 | 25 Jan 2021 | 14.2 | +1.5 | 8.5 | 23 Feb 2021 | 257.2 | 180.8 | high | 142% |
Fingal (Legge Street) | 21.7 | -1.1 | 35.0 | 25 Jan 2021 | 10.0 | +0.2 | 1.9 | 20 Jan 2021 | ||||
Friendly Beaches | 22.3 | -0.4 | 37.5 | 25 Jan 2021 | 12.3 | -0.5 | 6.7 | 25 Dec 2020 | 280.6 | 175.2 | v high | 160% |
Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 18.4 | -0.6 | 31.1 | 25 Jan 2021 | 7.5 | -0.5 | 0.0 | 20 Jan 2021 | 227.2 | 170.1 | high | 134% |
larapuna (Eddystone Point) | 21.1 | +0.7 | 31.8 | 25 Jan 2021 | 13.4 | +0.3 | 6.1 | 8 Dec 2020 | 290.0 | 152.1 | v high | 191% |
Maria Island (Point Lesueur) | 20.1 | -0.8 | 30.4 | 25 Jan 2021 | 13.0 | -0.3 | 7.2 | 8 Dec 2020 | 133.6 | 134.6 | average | 99% |
Orford (Aubin Court) | 21.2 | -0.3 | 35.9 | 25 Jan 2021 | 11.2 | -0.4 | 5.4 | 8 Dec 2020 | 160.2 | 156.9 | average | 102% |
St Helens Aerodrome | 21.4 | -0.7 | 36.0 | 25 Jan 2021 | 12.5 | -0.4 | 4.9 | 8 Dec 2020 | 332.6 | 180.5 | v high | 184% |
Swan Island | 20.4 | -0.2 | 28.1 | 25 Jan 2021 | 14.2 | -0.4 | 7.3 | 8 Dec 2020 | 170.2 | 134.6 | average | 126% |
Swansea (Francis Street) | 21.3 | 37.6 | 25 Jan 2021 | 11.5 | 5.1 | 8 Dec 2020 | 184.2 | 141.2 | high | 130% | ||
Midlands (district 93) | ||||||||||||
Ross (The Boulevards) | 22.8 | -1.1 | 32.6 | 25 Jan 2021 | 8.5 | -1.5 | 0.1 | 3 Dec 2020 | 150.8 | 119.6 | high | 126% |
Southeast (district 94) | ||||||||||||
Campania (Kincora) | 23.0 | -0.8 | 35.7 | 25 Jan 2021 | 10.3 | -0.8 | 2.5 | 20 Jan 2021 | 99.8 | 110.7 | average | 90% |
Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) | 20.0 | +0.5 | 36.8 | 11 Jan 2021 | 11.5 | -0.3 | 6.6 | 10 Dec 2020 | 182.2 | 155.9 | high | 117% |
Cape Bruny Lighthouse | 19.0 | +1.0 | 34.4 | 11 Jan 2021 | 11.8 | +0.6 | 6.8 | 3 Dec 2020 | 196.4 | 192.0 | average | 102% |
Dennes Point | 20.8 | 34.1 | 25 Jan 2021 | 12.3 | 6.7 | 28 Dec 2020 | 98.6 | |||||
Dover | 20.9 | +0.5 | 38.0 | 11 Jan 2021 | 9.7 | -0.2 | 3.4 | 20 Jan 2021 | 168.4 | 173.0 | average | 97% |
Dunalley (Stroud Point) | 21.0 | 36.1 | 11 Jan 2021 | 12.6 | 7.6 | 2 Dec 2020 | 155.2 | |||||
Grove (Research Station) | 22.0 | -0.5 | 36.4 | 11 Jan 2021 | 8.9 | -0.3 | 0.9 | 20 Jan 2021 | 161.8 | 152.7 | average | 106% |
Hobart (Ellerslie Road) | 21.9 | +0.6 | 37.5 | 25 Jan 2021 | 12.2 | +0.5 | 6.3 | 20 Jan 2021 | 153.0 | 142.8 | average | 107% |
Hobart Airport | 21.7 | -0.3 | 35.9 | 25 Jan 2021 | 11.6 | -0.1 | 6.0 | 8 Dec 2020 | 173.4 | 127.6 | high | 136% |
kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) | 12.3 | -0.6 | 26.1 | 11 Jan 2021 | 3.8 | -0.6 | -2.2 | 8 Dec 2020 | 262.6 | 254.8 | average | 103% |
Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse | 16.9 | +0.2 | 30.2 | 11 Jan 2021 | 11.0 | +0.4 | 6.4 | 2 Dec 2020 | 173.4 | 237.3 | low | 73% |
Melton Mowbray (North Stockman) | 21.8 | -1.4 | 35.1 | 11 Jan 2021 | 8.9 | -1.0 | 1.8 | 20 Jan 2021 | 163.2 | 105.0 | v high | 155% |
Tasman Island | 17.1 | -0.5 | 31.3 | 25 Jan 2021 | 11.1 | -0.1 | 5.0 | 10 Dec 2020 | 298.8 | 177.7 | v high | 168% |
Tunnack Fire Station | 19.8 | -1.2 | 33.4 | 25 Jan 2021 | 7.7 | -0.8 | 0.3 | 20 Jan 2021 | 112.4 | 134.4 | low | 84% |
Derwent Valley (district 95) | ||||||||||||
Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) | 23.4 | 0.0 | 36.2 | 11 Jan 2021 | 9.1 | -0.7 | 1.5 | 20 Jan 2021 | 99.2 | 125.5 | average | 79% |
Ouse Fire Station | 23.3 | -1.3 | 35.5 | 11 Jan 2021 | 8.9 | -0.8 | 1.3 | 21 Jan 2021 | 96.2 | 92.8 | average | 104% |
Central Plateau (district 96) | ||||||||||||
Butlers Gorge | 17.6 | -0.6 | 29.0 | 11 Jan 2021 | 5.4 | -0.7 | -2.3 | 21 Jan 2021 | 277.0 | 300.6 | average | 92% |
Liawenee | 16.5 | -1.4 | 28.8 | 25 Jan 2021 | 4.5 | -0.3 | -4.0 | 20 Jan 2021 | 242.4 | 154.6 | high | 157% |
West Coast (district 97) | ||||||||||||
Cape Sorell | 19.2 | +1.1 | 28.7 | 11 Jan 2021 | 12.1 | +0.4 | 7.6 | 20 Jan 2021 | 201.8 | 214.9 | average | 94% |
Hartz Mountain (Keoghs Pimple) | 15.9 | -0.8 | 31.4 | 11 Jan 2021 | 5.9 | -0.6 | -0.2 | 27 Feb 2021 | 248.6 | 202.9 | high | 123% |
Low Rocky Point | 18.9 | 30.2 | 11 Jan 2021 | 11.4 | 7.1 | 8 Dec 2020 | ||||||
Mount Read | 12.7 | -0.8 | 25.3 | 11 Jan 2021 | 5.0 | -0.4 | -0.6 | 8 Dec 2020 | 671.2 | 681.0 | average | 99% |
Scotts Peak Dam | 20.1 | -0.3 | 35.2 | 11 Jan 2021 | 8.6 | -0.4 | 3.5 | 8 Dec 2020 | 389.6 | 323.6 | high | 120% |
Strahan Aerodrome | 20.5 | 0.0 | 35.8 | 11 Jan 2021 | 10.4 | -0.1 | 3.4 | 20 Jan 2021 | 291.8 | 248.0 | high | 118% |
Warra | 17.9 | -0.8 | 32.4 | 11 Jan 2021 | 7.8 | -0.1 | 2.8 | 8 Dec 2020 | 289.0 | 311.0 | average | 93% |
King Island (district 98) | ||||||||||||
King Island Airport | 19.7 | -0.8 | 34.9 | 11 Jan 2021 | 11.6 | -0.7 | 4.3 | 20 Jan 2021 | 177.6 | 119.3 | v high | 149% |
Flinders Island (district 99) | ||||||||||||
Flinders Island Airport | 21.3 | -0.5 | 36.4 | 25 Jan 2021 | 13.2 | +0.1 | 3.5 | 11 Dec 2020 | 190.4 | 144.6 | high | 132% |
Hogan Island | 20.6 | -0.4 | 32.5 | 11 Jan 2021 | 13.8 | -0.7 | 8.8 | 8 Dec 2020 | 115.8 | 124.2 | average | 93% |
Note: From 2017, information about Macquarie Island can be found in the climate summary for the Remote Islands and Antarctica |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Notes
The Seasonal climate summary, generally published on the first working day of each 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. 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 10 am on Monday 1 March 2021. 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
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057