- Climate of Sydney, New South Wales
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Main article: Climate of Australia
Sydney has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters, with rainfall spread throughout the year.[1][2][3][4]
Contents
Temperature
The weather is moderated by proximity to the ocean, and more extreme temperatures are recorded in the inland western suburbs. The warmest month is January, with an average air temperature range at Observatory Hill of 18.6–25.8 °C (65–78 °F). An average of 14.6 days a year have temperatures of more than 30 °C (86.0 °F). The maximum recorded temperature was 45.3 °C (113.5 °F) on 14 January 1939 at the end of a four-day heatwave across Australia.[5]In winter, temperatures rarely drop below 5 °C (41 °F) in coastal areas. The coldest month is July, with an average range of 8.0–16.2 °C (46–61 °F). The lowest recorded minimum at Observatory Hill was 2.1 °C (35.8 °F).
Inland, in Sydney’s western suburbs, the climate is drier and summers are much hotter with temperatures around 2-5 degrees Celsius above Sydney's and winter lows around 2 degrees cooler than the coastal suburbs.[6] Although Sydney has high humidity and precipitation levels in summers, it does get dry heatwaves that bring hot and arid searing winds from the desert that make the temperatures soar to 40° Celsius. Heat waves lead to water restrictions and a high risk of bushfires (that sometimes bring a smoky haze to the city).[7][8] Hot summer days often end with a "southerly buster", a cold front sweeping up from the south which abruptly cool the temperature by bringing thunderstorms and gale winds.[9][10]
Climate data for Sydney Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 45.3
(113.5)42.1
(107.8)39.8
(103.6)33.9
(93.0)30.0
(86.0)26.9
(80.4)25.9
(78.6)31.3
(88.3)34.6
(94.3)38.2
(100.8)41.8
(107.2)42.2
(108.0)45.3
(113.5)Average high °C (°F) 25.9
(78.6)25.8
(78.4)24.7
(76.5)22.4
(72.3)19.4
(66.9)16.9
(62.4)16.3
(61.3)17.8
(64.0)20.0
(68.0)22.1
(71.8)23.6
(74.5)25.2
(77.4)21.7 Average low °C (°F) 18.7
(65.7)18.8
(65.8)17.5
(63.5)14.7
(58.5)11.5
(52.7)9.3
(48.7)8.0
(46.4)8.9
(48.0)11.1
(52.0)13.5
(56.3)15.6
(60.1)17.5
(63.5)13.8 Record low °C (°F) 10.6
(51.1)9.6
(49.3)9.3
(48.7)7.0
(44.6)4.4
(39.9)2.1
(35.8)2.2
(36.0)2.7
(36.9)4.9
(40.8)5.7
(42.3)7.7
(45.9)9.1
(48.4)2.1
(35.8)Rainfall mm (inches) 101.5
(3.996)118.7
(4.673)128.9
(5.075)125.8
(4.953)121.1
(4.768)130.7
(5.146)97.3
(3.831)81.2
(3.197)69.1
(2.72)77.6
(3.055)83.1
(3.272)77.8
(3.063)1,212.8
(47.748)Avg. rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) 12.2 12.4 13.5 12.8 13.2 12.5 11.1 10.5 10.6 11.6 11.6 11.5 143.5 Sunshine hours 220.1 194.3 198.4 192.0 182.9 165.0 198.4 220.1 216.0 223.2 234.0 235.6 2,480 Source: Bureau of Meteorology[11] Climate data for Liverpool (Sydney's west) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 44.8
(112.6)45.8
(114.4)41.0
(105.8)37.1
(98.8)29.6
(85.3)25.9
(78.6)26.8
(80.2)30.5
(86.9)35.4
(95.7)39.8
(103.6)43.3
(109.9)43.5
(110.3)45.8
(114.4)Average high °C (°F) 28.2
(82.8)27.9
(82.2)26.4
(79.5)23.9
(75.0)20.5
(68.9)17.8
(64.0)17.3
(63.1)18.9
(66.0)21.5
(70.7)23.7
(74.7)25.3
(77.5)27.5
(81.5)23.2 Average low °C (°F) 17.6
(63.7)17.7
(63.9)15.9
(60.6)12.4
(54.3)9.3
(48.7)6.3
(43.3)4.7
(40.5)5.8
(42.4)8.3
(46.9)11.5
(52.7)13.8
(56.8)16.2
(61.2)11.6 Record low °C (°F) 7.8
(46.0)9.4
(48.9)5.0
(41.0)−3.2
(26.2)−1.5
(29.3)−2
(28.4)−5
(23.0)−3.4
(25.9)−1.8
(28.8)3.3
(37.9)4.7
(40.5)7.8
(46.0)−5
(23.0)Precipitation mm (inches) 97.6
(3.843)94.9
(3.736)101.0
(3.976)85.3
(3.358)68.8
(2.709)71.3
(2.807)40.2
(1.583)55.9
(2.201)45.6
(1.795)61.6
(2.425)78.3
(3.083)67.4
(2.654)867.7
(34.161)Avg. precipitation days 10.7 10.4 10.9 8.3 9.3 8.6 7.2 7.4 8.0 9.3 10.4 9.1 109.6 Source: Bureau of Meteorology[12] Climate data for Penrith (The far west) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 46.0
(114.8)45.0
(113.0)40.6
(105.1)34.2
(93.6)28.4
(83.1)26.0
(78.8)25.2
(77.4)29.7
(85.5)35.8
(96.4)38.9
(102.0)43.0
(109.4)41.8
(107.2)46.0
(114.8)Average high °C (°F) 30.7
(87.3)29.4
(84.9)27.5
(81.5)24.6
(76.3)21.0
(69.8)18.3
(64.9)17.7
(63.9)19.7
(67.5)23.1
(73.6)25.8
(78.4)26.8
(80.2)29.3
(84.7)24.6 Average low °C (°F) 18.3
(64.9)18.4
(65.1)16.6
(61.9)12.9
(55.2)9.6
(49.3)6.6
(43.9)5.4
(41.7)6.2
(43.2)9.5
(49.1)12.1
(53.8)14.6
(58.3)16.8
(62.2)12.3 Record low °C (°F) 11.3
(52.3)11.6
(52.9)8.3
(46.9)3.6
(38.5)2.1
(35.8)−0.5
(31.1)−1.4
(29.5)−0.5
(31.1)2.5
(36.5)5.0
(41.0)7.8
(46.0)9.8
(49.6)−1.4
(29.5)Precipitation mm (inches) 91.6
(3.606)122.8
(4.835)65.8
(2.591)38.9
(1.531)44.5
(1.752)48.7
(1.917)31.6
(1.244)29.4
(1.157)32.1
(1.264)58.4
(2.299)78.6
(3.094)58.1
(2.287)698.6
(27.504)Source: Bureau of Meteorology[13] Warm and cool periods
The Bureau of Meteorology has reported that 2002 through 2005 were the warmest summers in Sydney since records began in 1859. 2004 saw an average daily maximum temperature of 23.39 °C, 2005 of 23.35 °C, 2002 of 22.91 °C, and 2003 of 22.65 °C. The average daily maximum between 1859 and 2004 was 21.6 °C (70.9 °F). For the first nine months of 2006 the mean temperature was 18.41 °C (65.1 °F); the warmest year previously was 2004 with 18.51 °C (65.32 °F). Since November 2003, there have been only two months in which the average daily maximum was below average: March 2005 (about 1 °C below average)[14] and June 2006 (0.7 °C below average).[15]
The summer of 2007–08 proved to be one of the coolest on record. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that it was the coolest summer in 11 years, the wettest summer in six years, and one of only three summers in recorded history to lack a maximum temperature above 31 °C (88 °F).[16]
The Bureau of Meteorology reported that 2009 was a warm year, with above-average maximum temperatures. In 2009, the average annual daytime temperature at Observatory Hill was 22.9 °C, which is 0.9 °C above the historical annual average. This ranks as 7th highest annual average maximum temperature since records commenced in 1859. It was the 17th consecutive year with above average annual maximum temperatures. Average night-time temperatures at Sydney Observatory Hill of 15.1 °C were well above (+1.2 °C) the historical average during 2009. This is equal second highest in the 151 years of record, and the same as 1988.[17]
The year 2010 was a warm, wetter year with an average maximum of 22.6°C, which was 0.9°C above the historical average. Night-time temperatures were also above average, at 15.0°C during this year, compared to a historical average of 13.9°C. 2010 was also the wettest year since 2007, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with the cloudiest October and the third cloudiest July on record. 2010 was the equal 4th warmest year on record for Sydney. Seven (of the ten) warmest years on 151 years of record have occurred in the ten years between 2001 and 2010, with this decade being the warmest on record for minimum temperatures.[18]
Sydney saw a driest start to the year since 1965.[citation needed] January and February 2011 (usually wet months) were very dry and had well above average temperatures.[citation needed] Sydney recorded 53.8mm of rain during January, which is well below the historical average of 101.5mm. Towards the end of the month, the city had a heatwave that brought up the temperatures to over 30°C for five consecutive days. The west had five days with temperatures over 35°C.[citation needed][vague]
Sydney had the driest February in 30 years with only 18mm of rain falling, which is well below than the average 118mm. Some of the western suburbs recorded the lowest total February rainfall on record. The month was also the 2nd warmest on record for mean temperatures and third warmest for maximums. In contrast, March and April 2011 were very wet with well above average rainfall. March 2011 recorded 191.6 mm well above the average of 128.9 mm of rain and was the wettest March in in ten years. April 2011 recorded 206.2 mm of rain well above the average of 125.8 mm and was the wettest April since 1999. May 2011 also recorded above average rainfall, making it the wettest autumn since 2003 according to the Bureau.[19] [20][21] July 2011 was the wettest July since 1950.[22]
Precipitation
Rainfall is fairly evenly spread through the year, but is slightly higher during the first half of the year when easterly winds dominate (Feb-Jun), and lower in the second half (mainly Jul-Sep).[23][24] The average annual rainfall in the city, with moderate to low variability, is 1,217 mm (48 in), falling on an average 138 days a year. As seen from the climate table above, Sydney's wettest month is June, though most of its western suburbs' wettest month is February. The driest months are July through to September.[25] Snowfall was last reported in the Sydney City area in 1836.[26] However, a July 2008 fall of graupel, or soft hail, mistaken by many for snow, has raised the possibility that the 1836 event was not snow, either.[27]
Storms
Even in its months of highest rainfall Sydney has very few rainy days, on average less than 14 rainy days per month. This means the average rain event in Sydney contains heavy rain. The city is not affected by cyclones, although remnants of ex-cyclones do affect the city.[28] The El Niño Southern Oscillation plays an important role in determining Sydney's weather patterns: drought and bushfire on the one hand, and storms and flooding on the other, associated with the opposite phases of the oscillation.
Many areas of the city bordering bushland have experienced bushfires, notably in 1994 and 2001–02 — these tend to occur during the spring and summer. The city is also prone to severe hail storms and wind storms. One such storm was the 1999 hailstorm, which severely damaged Sydney's eastern and city suburbs. The storm produced massive hailstones of at least 9 cm (3.5 in) in diameter and resulting in insurance losses of around A$1.7 billion in less than five hours.[29]
The city is occasionally prone to flash flooding from rain caused either by East Coast Lows (during autumn-winter periods) and Ex-Tropical Cyclone remnants (during spring-summer periods). They are low pressure depressions that can bring significant damage by heavy rain, cyclonic winds and huge swells. The most notable event was the great Sydney flood which occurred on 6 August 1986 (unusual in that month) and dumped a record 327.6 mm (12.9 in) on the city in 24 hours. This caused major traffic problems and damage in many parts of the metropolitan area.[30]
The next notable event was in in the first weeks of February 2010 when Sydney received some of the highest rainfalls in 25 years, which caused flash flooding and traffic chaos. On 4 February, some suburbs in the North Shore region recorded their heaviest rain in 20 years. On 12 and 13 February, some suburbs were hit by thunderstorms which brought heavy rain and gusty winds which cut out power and damaged homes.[31][32] On 13 February, Sydney experienced one of the highest rainfall of the last decade with 65 millimetres (2.6 in) of rain falling in one night at Observatory Hill.[33] The heavy rain was caused by remnants of ex-tropical Cyclone Olga and humid north-easterly winds feeding into the low pressure trough.[34][35]
Drought
Sydney is prone to drought[36][37] as Sydney’s climate appears to be becoming drier. The city has had fewer rain days in recent years than shown in the long-term climate table above. The years 2009 and 2010 had dry conditions, according to Bureau of Meteorology.[38]
Dust storms
See 2009 Australian dust storm for more information
On 23 September 2009, a dust storm that started in South Australia and inland New South Wales blanketed the city with reddish orange skies.[39] It stretched as far north as southern Queensland. It was the worst dust storm in 70 years[40] During that year, Sydney experienced a number of warm winter days, dry gusty winds and another milder dust storm.[41][42]
See also
References
- ^ "CLIMATE AND THE SYDNEY 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES". Australian Government. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2007-09-24. http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/1301.0Feature%20Article32000?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=1301.0&issue=2000&num=&view=. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ^ "Sydney Basin - climate". New South Wales Government. Department of Environment and Climate Change. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/bioregions/SydneyBasin-Climate.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ^ "Australian climatic zones". Australian Government. Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/environ/travel/map.shtml. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ^ "Living in Sydney". Sydney Institute of Business & Technology. http://www.sibt.nsw.edu.au/index.php/about-australia/living-in-sydney.html. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ^ Bureau of Meteorology. 2006. Climate summary for Sydney, January 2006
- ^ http://www.livingin-australia.com/climate-weather-sydney/
- ^ http://www.livingin-australia.com/climates-australia-cities/
- ^ http://goaustralia.about.com/cs/practicalinfo/a/sydneysummer.htm
- ^ http://www.sydneyeguide.com/weather.php
- ^ http://www.weatherzone.com.au/help/glossary.jsp?l=s#southerly%20buster
- ^ "Sydney (Observatory Hill)". Climate statistics for Australian locations. Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_066062_All.shtml. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
- ^ "Climate statistics for Liverpool". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_067035_All.shtml.
- ^ "Climate statistics for Penrith". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_067113_All.shtml.
- ^ Cool, cloudy and rainy end to March in Sydney in Sydney Climate Summary — NSW Regional Office, Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ Sydney has coldest June in 24 years in Sydney Monthly Climate Summary — NSW Regional Office, Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ Sydney has coolest summer in 11 years in Sydney Climate Summary — NSW Regional Office, Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 25 March 2008.
- ^ http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/nsw/archive/2009.sydney.shtml
- ^ http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/nsw/archive/2010.sydney.shtml
- ^ http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current//month/nsw/archive/201104.sydney.shtml
- ^ http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/nsw/archive/201101.sydney.shtml
- ^ http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/nsw/sydney.shtml
- ^ http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/sydneys-wettest-july-since-1950/18135
- ^ http://www.start-a-new-life-in-australia.com/climate-of-sydney-australia.html
- ^ http://www.australiantravelguide.com.au/nsw/sydney/
- ^ Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 2005. Climate averages; Ellyard, D. 1994. Droughts and Flooding Rains. Angus & Robertson ISBN 0-207-18557-3
- ^ MacDonnell, Freda. Thomas Nelson (Australia) Limited, 1967. Before King’s Cross
- ^ "Sydney weather hail, not snow". AAP. 27 July 2008. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,24085664-5003402,00.html?from=public_rss. Retrieved 2008-08-11.[dead link]
- ^ http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/about/cyclones-nsw-impacts.shtml
- ^ "The Sydney Hailstorm - 14 April 1999". Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/sevwx/14april1999.shtml. Retrieved 2006-10-05.
- ^ Rain in Sydney, 1986 in Australian Climate Extremes, Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 9 September 2006.
- ^ "Storm drenches Sydney". UPI.com. 2010-02-12. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/International/2010/02/12/Storm-drenches-Sydney/UPI-14931266019035/. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ "Sydney dries out but regional threatened". News.smh.com.au. 2010-02-12. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/hundreds-of-calls-as-rain-deluges-nsw-20100213-nxqd.html. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ "Weather News - Wild storms lash Sydney". Weatherzone.com.au. 2010-02-13. http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/wild-storms-lash-sydney/13848. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ "Rain swamps Sydney's water catchments". Smh.com.au. 2010-02-07. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/water-issues/rain-swamps-sydneys-water-catchments-20100206-nk2b.html. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ Huffer, Julie. "Heaviest rain in almost 20 years - Environment - News | Hornsby & Upper North Shore Advocate". Hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au. http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/news/story/heaviest-rain-in-almost-20-years/. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ http://www.sydneywater.com.au/WaterQuality/WaterQualityandDrought/
- ^ http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/water-quality/drought
- ^ "Sydney in 2009". Bom.gov.au. 2010-01-04. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/nsw/sydney.shtml. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ Ramachandran, Arjun (2009-09-23). "Sydney turns red: dust storm blankets city". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/sydney-turns-red-dust-storm-blankets-city-20090923-g0so.html.
- ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/23/2694096.htm
- ^ "Sydney in Autumn 2010". Bom.gov.au. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/season/nsw/sydney.shtml. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ "Sydney Rainfall Districts in 1 June to 31 August 2009". Bom.gov.au. 1995-08-27. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/season/nsw/archive/200908.sydney.shtml. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
Categories:- Climate of Australia
- Climate by city
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