Friday, 3 January 2014 - Annual Climate Summary for Canberra - Product code IDCKGC35R0

Canberra in 2013: Second-warmest year on record

• Second-warmest year on record for maximum temperatures
• Warmest January, July, September and Winter on record
• Close to average rainfall and minimum temperatures

The Bureau of Meteorology's Australian annual climate statement is also available.

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Rainfall

Canberra Airport recorded 533.8 mm of rain during 2013, which is 13% below the historical average of 614.4 mm. Canberra's rain fell over 98 rain days, close to the historical average of 106 days, of which seven recorded at least 25 mm (average 5 days) – the most heavy rain days since 2010.

Rainfall was above average during January with 72.6 mm, including 40.8 mm at the airport and 65.2 mm at Tuggeranong during a thunderstorm on the 27th. In contrast, the same amount (73 mm) fell over the four months between February and May, less than 40% of the historical average and the fourth-driest February-May on record.

Rainfall was closer to normal during winter and spring. June was the ninth-wettest on record and September the seventh-wettest, including 57.8 mm on September 17, the wettest September day on record. November rainfall was also well above average, with the most days above 25 mm on record. In contrast, October was the sixth-driest on record for Canberra, reflecting significant rainfall variability during the year.

Temperature - Second-warmest year on record

The average maximum temperature at Canberra Airport during 2013 was 21.7 °C, 2.0 °C above the historical average. This is the second-warmest year on record for Canberra, following 21.8 °C in 2006. Every month during 2013 recorded above-average daytime temperatures. January, July and September all broke their long-term monthly records, and winter was the equal-warmest on record.

The particularly warm temperatures during the cool season were reflected in a lack of cold days for the year: only four days dropped to 10 °C or lower (average 19 days), the fewest on record for Canberra. Temperatures reached at least 30 °C on 47 days (average 32 days), including the second-hottest day on record for Canberra with 42.0 °C on 18 January.

The average minimum temperature at Canberra Airport during 2013 was 6.2 °C, 0.3 °C below the historical average. There were 52 nights below 0 °C during the year, slightly below the historical average of 60 days, but only two nights dropped below -5 °C (average 7 nights). Night-time temperatures were well below average during both autumn and spring, but above average during winter. October and November were both more than 2 °C below normal, with several severe frosts causing widespread agricultural damage during October.

The very warm daytime temperatures but the only slightly cool nights meant the mean temperature for Canberra Airport was 14.0 °C, 0.9 °C above the historical average.

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top