Climate of Launceston, Tasmania

Worldwide climate classifications

Main articles: Climate of Tasmania and Climate of Australia

Launceston, Tasmania has a cool, temperate climate,^[1] with four distinct seasons. The city is located in the Tamar Valley in Northern Tasmania and is surrounded by many large hills and mountains. With this type of topography, Launceston's weather patterns can change considerably in a short period of time.^[2]

The warmest months are in January and February with an average air temperature range of 12.2 °C (54 °F) up to 24.4 °C (76 °F). Throughout the year there is an average of 4.3 days a year over 30 °C (86 °F). The maximum recorded temperature was 39 °C (102 °F) on 30 January 2009, with Launceston Airport reaching 40.4 °C (105 °F) on that same day, during the 2009 Southeastern Australia heat wave. Winters are cool with minimum temperatures dropping below 2 °C (36 °F) an average of 61 days a year. The coldest month is July, with an average temperature range of 2.2 °C (36 °F) - 12.5 °C (54 °F). The lowest recorded minimum at Launceston's current weather station, Ti Tree Bend was 5.2 °C (41.4 °F), and unlike many other areas of Tasmania, Launceston rarely receives snowfall.^[3][4]

Winter, for Launceston, is also the season with the least amount of wind. Because of this and the topographical affect of the Tamar Valley, Launceston winters are renowned for foggy mornings, with Launceston Airport the most fog-bound commercial airport in Australia. The average annual rainfall, with moderate to low variability is 665 mm (26 in), falling an average of 88.4 days a year. The most rain Launceston received in a year was 829.6 millimetres (32.66 in) in 1992, with 2006 being the driest year when just 394.8 millimetres (15.54 in) fell.^[5][6]

Precipitation

Cataract Gorge in flood

There is an average of 663.4 millimetres (26.12 in) of rain a year (676.6 millimetres (26.64 in) at the airport). Cold fronts in winter account for much of this precipitation, with mountains surrounding Launceston regularly receiving snow in autumn, winter and spring.^[7]

Rainfall elements

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Yearly
Highest monthly rainfall	139.4	107.4	106.2	124.6	152.9	183.0	157.7	183.6	115.8	121.4	85.2	145.1	829.6
Lowest monthly rainfall	9.8	0.0	2.6	4.3	4.0	4.3	36.8	14.9	8.4	9.9	5.6	6.1	394.8
Source: Climate statistics for Launceston, Bureau of Meteorology

Seasonal conditions

Launceston has a cool, temperate climate,^[1] with four distinct seasons. Surrounded by many large hills and mountains, Launceston's weather patterns can change considerably in a short period of time. The warmest months are in January and February with an average air temperature range of 12.2 °C (54 °F) to 24.4 °C (76 °F). Throughout the year there is an average of 4.3 days a year over 30 °C (86 °F). The maximum recorded temperature was 39 °C (102 °F) on 30 January 2009, with Launceston Airport reaching 40.4 °C (105 °F) on that same day, during the 2009 Southeastern Australia heat wave. Winters are cool with minimum temperatures dropping below 2 °C (36 °F) an average of 61 days a year. The coldest month is July, with an average temperature range of 2.2 °C (36 °F) to 12.5 °C (54 °F). The lowest recorded minimum at Launceston's current weather station, Ti Tree Bend was −5.2 °C (22.6 °F), and unlike many other areas of Tasmania, Launceston rarely receives snowfall.

The average annual rainfall, with moderate to low variability, is 665 mm (26 in), falling on an average of 88.4 days a year. The most rain Launceston received in a year was 829.6 millimetres (32.66 in) in 1992, with 2006 being the driest year when just 394.8 millimetres (15.54 in) fell.^[5][6][8]

The Bureau of Meteorology reported that 2007 was the warmest year ever recorded in Launceston since temperatures were first recorded in 1884. Temperatures ranged from a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.6 °F) to a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.6 °F). During 2006 and 2007, Launceston had the warmest maximums throughout the state. In 2008, Launceston had the highest average maximum temperature out of all Tasmanian cities with 18.6 °C (65.5 °F).^[3][4][8][9]

Climate data for Launceston
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	39.0 (102.2)	34.4 (93.9)	32.9 (91.2)	27.7 (81.9)	22.0 (71.6)	18.4 (65.1)	17.6 (63.7)	20.3 (68.5)	24.8 (76.6)	28.7 (83.7)	30.7 (87.3)	33.8 (92.8)	39.0 (102.2)
Average high °C (°F)	24.2 (75.6)	24.4 (75.9)	22.4 (72.3)	18.8 (65.8)	15.8 (60.4)	13.0 (55.4)	12.5 (54.5)	13.7 (56.7)	15.5 (59.9)	18.0 (64.4)	20.4 (68.7)	22.4 (72.3)	18.4
Average low °C (°F)	12.2 (54.0)	12.0 (53.6)	10.0 (50.0)	7.4 (45.3)	5.1 (41.2)	2.8 (37.0)	2.2 (36.0)	3.5 (38.3)	5.1 (41.2)	6.9 (44.4)	8.8 (47.8)	10.6 (51.1)	7.2
Record low °C (°F)	2.5 (36.5)	3.4 (38.1)	0.5 (32.9)	−1.5 (29.3)	−3 (26.6)	−4.9 (23.2)	−5.2 (22.6)	−3.5 (25.7)	−2.4 (27.7)	−1.4 (29.5)	−2 (28.4)	2.0 (35.6)	−5.2 (22.6)
Precipitation mm (inches)	47.6 (1.874)	30.7 (1.209)	32.8 (1.291)	50.7 (1.996)	64.0 (2.52)	64.9 (2.555)	76.0 (2.992)	83.1 (3.272)	66.3 (2.61)	51.8 (2.039)	48.9 (1.925)	46.1 (1.815)	663.4 (26.118)
Source: Bureau of Meteorology[10]

Summer

During the summer, city minimums range from 10.8 °C (51 °F) in December, and up to 12.2 °C (54 °F) in January. High temperatures during Summer range from 22.4 °C (72 °F) in December and 24.4 °C (76 °F) in the warmest month, February. Launceston generally doesn't receive as many large thunderstorms as cities in mainland Australia, although during summer, thunderstorms are more frequent than in any other season. The Launceston suburb of Summerhill was hit by a tornado that descended from a thunderstorm on Christmas Eve 2001. Estimates suggest the tornado had wind speeds of between 200 and 250 km/h. There is an average of 3.9 days each summer of temperatures over 30.0 °C (86 °F) and during the 2009 South Eastern Australia heatwave, Ti Tree Bend surpassed its previous record temperature of 35 °C (95 °F) three days straight. Rainfall is at its lowest during Summer, with an average of 41.2 millimetres (1.62 in) and approximately 23 days of rain during the three months.^[7]

Summer Record

	Record	Date
Highest Summer Maximum Temperature	39.0 °C (102 °F)	30 January 2009
Lowest Summer Minimum Temperature	2.0 °C (36 °F)	12 December 1995
Highest Summer Monthly Rainfall	145.1 millimetres (5.71 in)	December 1985
Lowest Summer Monthly Rainfall	0.0 millimetres (0 in)	February 2003
Source: Climate statistics for Launceston, Bureau of Meteorology

Autumn

Autumn is a season of transition, and generally has the most settled weather patterns, although Launceston's worst floods both occurred in Autumn. City minimums range from 5.1 °C (41 °F) in May, and up to 10.0 °C (50 °F) in March. High temperatures during Autumn range from 15.8 °C (60 °F) in May up to 22.4 °C (72 °F) in March.^[7]

Autumn Record

	Record	Date
Highest Autumn Maximum Temperature	32.9 °C (91 °F)	17 March 2008
Lowest Autumn Minimum Temperature	−2.4 °C (28 °F)	27 May 2002
Highest Autumn Monthly Rainfall	152.9 millimetres (6.02 in)	May 2007
Lowest Autumn Monthly Rainfall	2.6 millimetres (0.10 in)	March 1994
Source: Climate statistics for Launceston, Bureau of Meteorology

Winter

On average, wintertime lows dip down to 2.2 °C (36 °F) in July, while daytime highs range from 12.5 °C (54 °F) in July up to 13.7 °C (57 °F) in August. Winter it typically the season with the least amount of wind, although the increased occurrence of cold frontal systems during the cooler months have helped cause wind gusts of up to 113 km/h - in the winters of 1949 and 1984 at Launceston Airport, 14.8 km away from Ti Tree Bend. This passage of cold frontal systems are responsible for winter being Launceston's and the rest of Tasmania's wettest season.^[7]

Winter Record

	Record	Date
Highest Winter Maximum Temperature	20.3 °C (69 °F)	26 August 2004
Lowest Winter Minimum Temperature	−5.2 °C (23 °F)	23 July 1991
Highest Winter Monthly Rainfall	183.6 millimetres (7.23 in)	August 2005
Lowest Winter Monthly Rainfall	4.3 millimetres (0.17 in)	June 2007
Source: Climate statistics for Launceston, Bureau of Meteorology

Spring

Spring is mostly a transition from winter to summer. Cold weather reaches Tasmania less often and temperatures slowly begin to rise. Snowfalls, although rare, have been recorded in Launceston's surrounding areas as late as October, during 1940, 1978 and 2003. The month of October experiences the greatest rise in temperatures.^[7]

Spring Record

	Record	Date
Highest Spring Maximum Temperature	30.7 °C (87 °F)	1 November 1987
Lowest Spring Minimum Temperature	−2.4 °C (28 °F)	7 September 1994
Highest Spring Monthly Rainfall	115.8 millimetres (4.56 in)	September 2002
Lowest Spring Monthly Rainfall	5.6 millimetres (0.22 in)	November 2003
Source: Climate statistics for Launceston, Bureau of Meteorology

2009 Southeastern Australia heat wave

Approximate affected area shown in red

The 2009 southeastern Australia heat wave was a heat wave that commenced in late January and led to record-breaking prolonged high temperatures in the region.^[11] During the heat wave, 50 separate locations across Australia set various records for consecutive, highest daytime and overnight temperatures.

The exceptional heat wave was caused by a slow moving high-pressure system that settled over the Tasman Sea, with a combination of an intense tropical low located off the North West Australian coast and a monsoon trough over Northern Australia, which produced ideal conditions for hot tropical air to be directed down over Southeastern Australia.^[12] The heat began in South Australia on 25 January but became more widespread over southeast Australia by 27 January. A weak cool change moved over the southern coastal areas bringing some relief on 30 January;^[12] in Melbourne the change arrived on the evening and dropped temperatures to an average of 30.8 °C (87.4 °F). Higher temperatures returned on the following weekend with Melbourne recording its hottest day since records began in 1855: 46.4 °C (115.5 °F), also the hottest temperature ever recorded in an Australian capital city.^[13]

During the heat wave, several records were broken; Tasmania recorded its highest ever temperature; 42.2 °C (108 °F) in Scamander, and the long standing Tasmanian record of 40.8 °C (105.4 °F) (recorded in Hobart on 4 January 1976) was broken five times within two days at Flinders Island, Fingal (twice), St Helens and Scamander. Launceston recorded its highest recorded temperature of 38.2 °C (100.8 °F) on 31 January.^[14] The heat wave generated extreme fire conditions during the peak of the 2008-09 Australian bushfire season, causing many bushfires in the affected region, contributing to the extreme bushfire conditions on 7 February, also known as the February 2009 Victorian bushfires, which claimed 173 lives in Victoria.^[15]

Launceston in January 2009

• 28th – 33.8 °C (92.8 °F)^[16]
• 29th – 36.9 °C (98.4 °F)
• 30th – 39.0 °C (102.2 °F) - Hottest day recorded in Launceston since records began in 1980.^[17]
• 31st – 38.2 °C (100.8 °F)

See also

• Environment of Australia

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Supervising Scientist Report" (pdf). Australian Government. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. p. 4. http://www.environment.gov.au/ssd/publications/ssr/pubs/ssr128-chap2.pdf. Retrieved 31 January 2009. 
2. ^ "Geography of Launceston". Asia Rooms. http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/australia/launceston/launceston-overview/geography-of-launceston.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Tasmania in 2007". Australian Government. Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/tas/summary.shtml. Retrieved 28 July 2008. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "Tasmanian in 2006". Australian Government. Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/tas/archive/2006.summary.shtml. Retrieved 1 November 2008. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Tasmania breaks all-time high temperature record again". Australian Government. Bureau of Meteorology. 30 January 2009. http://www.bom.gov.au/announcements/media_releases/tas/20090130.shtml. Retrieved 31 January 2009. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "42.2 deg: Scamander sets State's hottest record!". Fairfax Media. The Examiner. 31 January 2009. http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/news/environmental-issues/422-deg-scamander-sets-states-hottest-record/1420740.aspx. Retrieved 31 January 2009. 
7. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Climate of Launceston". Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/tas/launceston/climate.shtml. Retrieved 26 May 2009. 
8. ^ ^{a b} "Climate of Launceston". Australian Government. Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/tas/launceston/climate.shtml. Retrieved 26 July 2008. 
9. ^ "Climate of Launceston". Australian Government. Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_091237_All.shtml. Retrieved 2 September 2008. 
10. ^ "Climate Statistics for Launceston". Australian Government. Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_091237_All.shtml. Retrieved 5 February 2009. 
11. ^ "Heatwave record set in Melbourne". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC News). 30 January 2009. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/30/2478827.htm. Retrieved 1 February 2009. 
12. ^ ^{a b} The exceptional January-February 2009 heatwave in south-eastern Australia. National Climate Centre. 12 February 2009. p. 2. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf. 
13. ^ Townsend, Hamish (7 February 2009). "City swelters, records tumble in heat". The Age, Melbourne. http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html. Retrieved 7 February 2009. 
14. ^ "Houses destroyed, records broken in heatwave". The Australian (News Limited). 30 January 2009. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24984926-12377,00.html. Retrieved 31 January 2009. 
15. ^ "Bushfire update". Victorian Government. Victoria Police. 9 February 2009. http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190. Retrieved 9 February 2009. ^{[dead link]}
16. ^ "Launceston, Tasmania January 2009 Daily Weather Observations". Australian Government. Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/200901/html/IDCJDW7025.200901.shtml. Retrieved 4 February 2009. ^{[dead link]}
17. ^ "Tasmania in January 2009". Australian Government. Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/tas/summary.shtml. Retrieved 9 February 2009.