Weather News
Interesting or Unusual Weather Events
at Armidale NSW
© Compiled by Peter Burr. No part of the
following may be reproduced for commercial purposes without prior permission
from the author.
Weather News 2023
(using information from Armidale City weather
station)
2023
YEARLY WEATHER REVIEW - 2023 was warmer than normal but with lower
than average rainfall particularly during the winter months. Details in
the 2023 Yearly Weather Review here. Includes
statistics table. (PDF format - printable)
2023 TOTAL RAINFALL: 684.2 mm, 99 mm lower than the average.
Rainfall was below average in all but three months - March, November and
December. March was the wettest month with 165.6 mm, and September was the
driest with just 4.4 mm.
DECEMBER RAINFALL: 129.2 mm on 14 days, 40 mm higher than
the average. Most of the rain (102 mm) fell in the second half of the month as
a result of a number of low pressure troughs developing over the state. The
highest daily fall was 43.4 mm on the 20th. Details in the December 2023 Weather Review. December 2023 daily data
table.
NOVEMBER RAINFALL: 97.6 mm on 16 days, 16 mm higher than
the average. A number of low pressure troughs developed over northern New South
Wales during the month contributing to the higher than normal November
rainfall. The highest daily fall was 18.6 mm on the 10th. Details in the November 2023 Weather Review. November 2023 daily data
table.
OCTOBER RAINFALL: 46.8 mm on 5 days, 21 mm less than the
average, and was the seventh consecutive month with below average rainfall. The
highest daily fall was 34.8 mm on the 27th. Details in the October 2023 Weather Review. October 2023 daily data
table.
HAILSTORM - 27th October - Humid easterly winds feeding into a low pressure trough over
north-eastern New South Wales caused the development of a large number of
thunderstorms in the evening of the 26th and early hours of the 27th. Armidale
experienced thunderstorms moving from the north from 10.40pm through until
around 2am with hail from 12.55 to 1.10am. Hailstones 10 to 20 mm diameter were
numerous enough to completely whiten the ground. Much needed rain during and
following the storms totalled 34.8 mm for
the 24 hours to 9am on the 27th.
SEPTEMBER RAINFALL: 4.4 mm on 3 days, 46 mm lower than the
average. It was the driest September since the drought year of 2019 (1.2 mm),
and was the sixth consecutive month with below average rainfall. Details in
the September
2023 Weather Review. September 2023 daily data
table.
WARMEST SEPTEMBER DAY FOR 6 YEARS - 18th Sept - The maximum of 27.5C was
the highest for September since 23rd September 2017 when 28.5C was recorded.
The unusually warm conditions were caused by north-westerly winds drawing warm
air into New South Wales from the centre of
Australia.
COLDEST SEPTEMBER MORNING FOR 6 YEARS - 10th Sept - The early morning
minimum of -5.4C was the lowest for September since 2nd
September 2017 when -6.2C was recorded. Cold dry air in the wake of a cold
front which passed through on the 8th caused the unusually chilly conditions.
WARMEST WINTER ON RECORD - The winter of 2023 was Armidale’s mildest
winter on record based on maximum temperatures from 133 years of records. The
average maximum for the three winter months of 15.7C was 2.3C higher than the
long term average, and was the highest since 1891 when reliable temperature
records commenced. The unusually warm conditions were caused by strong high
pressure systems moving across northern New South Wales keeping rain bearing
systems with colder temperatures to central and southern parts of the
state.
The total rainfall for the three months was 50.2 mm, 150 mm less than the
average.
Details in
the Winter 2023 Weather Review.
AUGUST RAINFALL: 8.8 mm on 4 days, 39 mm lower than the
average. Rainfall has been below average in every month this year with the
exception of March. Details in the August 2023 Weather Review. August 2023 daily data table.
JULY RAINFALL: 15.4 mm on 6 days, 32 mm lower than the
average. The rain fell in the first week with the remainder of the month dry
except for 0.2 mm on the 18th. Details in the July 2023 Weather Review. July 2023 daily data table.
WARMEST JULY DAY FOR 7 YEARS - 30th July - The maximum of 20.1C was
the highest for the month of July since 20th July 2016 when 21.2C was recorded
which was the highest on record for July at the present weather station site.
COLDEST MORNING FOR 5 YEARS - 20th July - The minimum of -9.2C was
the lowest temperature recorded since 15th July 2018 when -10.1C was recorded.
A high pressure system over New South Wales combined with very dry air resulted
in many low minimum temperatures over the state. The minimum at Armidale
airport was milder at -4.8C. Temperatures in the Armidale valley drop to -8.0C
or lower on average of two days per year.
JUNE RAINFALL: 26.0 mm on 6 days, 29 mm lower than the
average. Daily falls were all light with the exception of 15.4 mm on the 23rd.
June was the third consecutive month with below average rain. Details in
the June 2023
Weather Review. June 2023 daily data table.
COLDEST MORNING FOR TWO YEARS - 21st June - The minimum temperature
of -7.6C was the lowest recorded since 7th July 2021 which was
also -7.6C. The chilly morning was the result of cold dry air following the
passage of a front two days earlier combined with a high pressure system over
New South Wales which produced clear skies overnight with no wind. The minimum
at the Armidale airport was a little milder at -4.4C. Temperatures in the
Armidale valley drop to -7.0C or lower on average of four days per year.
MAY RAINFALL: 12.4 mm on 2 days, 30 mm less than the
average, and was Armidale’s driest month since June 2022 (10.2 mm).
The rain fell over the two day period 15th-16th. Details in the May 2023 Weather Review. May 2023 daily data table.
COLDEST MAY MORNING FOR 7 YEARS - 28th May - The minimum of -6.7C which
occurred at 6.50am was the lowest for the month of May since 30th May 2016 when
-7.0C was recorded. The minimum at the Armidale Airport weather station was a
little higher at -3.4C. Such differences between the two weather stations are
common on calm clear nights when temperature inversions develop in the Armidale
valley.
FIRST FROST OF THE YEAR - 4th May - The first frost for
2023 with a screen minimum of 2.2C was recorded at 6.50am
ending a frost-free period of 134 days since the last frost on 20th December
2022. The minimum temperature on the grass was -2.4C. This started a run of
eleven consecutive frosts.
APRIL RAINFALL: 31.8 mm on 11 days, 13 mm less than the
average. There were no major rain systems during the month, all falls
were light except for a moderate fall of 16.2 mm on the 7th. Details in
the April 2023
Weather Review. April 2023 daily data table.
MARCH RAINFALL: 165.6 mm on 15 days, 99 mm higher than the
average, wettest March since 2017 (201 mm). There were several moderate and
heavy falls including 62.2 mm on the 29th which was the highest daily fall of
rain for three years. Most of the rain for the month fell during thunderstorms.
Details in the March
2023 Weather Review. March 2023 daily data table.
HEAVIEST RAIN FOR 3 YEARS - 28th/29th March - A low pressure trough
over inland New South Wales intensified during the 28th producing thunderstorms
and areas of heavy rain over the east of the state. Armidale received moderate
to heavy falls in the evening of the 28th and morning of the 29th. The 24 hour
total to 9am on the 29th of 62.2 mm was the highest daily fall
since 18th January 2020.
SUMMER OF 2022/2023 - It was a dry summer
with rainfall 103 mm lower than the average, and temperatures were unusually
cool for the first three weeks. Details in the Summer 2022/23
Weather Review.
FEBRUARY RAINFALL: 64.8 mm on 10 days, 23 mm lower than the
average. Most of the daily falls were light with the exception of the 27th when
27.4 mm was recorded from thunderstorms. February 2023 Weather Review. February 2023 daily data
table.
COOLEST FEBRUARY MORNING FOR 18 YEARS - 5th February - The
minimum temperature of 3.7C recorded at 5.35am was the lowest
for the month of February since 4th February 2005 when 2.5C was recorded. The
unusually cool overnight conditions were caused by cool dry air being pushed
north over New South Wales by a low pressure system and cold front passing over
southern Australia.
JANUARY RAINFALL: 81.4 mm on 14 days, 20 mm lower than the
average. The highest daily falls were 21.8 mm on the 23rd, and 21.0 mm on the
31st.
January 2023 Weather
Review. January
2023 daily data table.
Weather News 2022
(using information from Armidale City weather
station)
2022 YEARLY WEATHER REVIEW - 2022 was the
coolest and cloudiest year for 30 years. It was also the third consecutive year
with well above average rainfall with flooding in Dumaresq Creek on 19 days.
Details in the 2022 Yearly Weather Review
here. Includes statistics table.
2022 TOTAL RAINFALL: 962.2 mm, 180
mm or 23 per cent higher than the average. Rainfall was above average in eight
months of the year with the wettest month being March which recorded 159.0 mm. 2022 was the third consecutive year with well above
average rainfall (2020: 973 mm, 2021: 992 mm).
DECEMBER RAINFALL: 30.0 mm on 6 days, 59 mm lower than the average, and was the
driest December since 2013 (22 mm). Daily falls were all light except for 18.8
mm on the 12th. December 2022 Weather Review. December 2022 daily data table.
COOL DECEMBER - It was unusually
cool for the first month of summer. Based on maximum temperatures it was the
coolest December for 11 years, but based on minimums it was the coldest on
record (131 years of records).
COLDEST DECEMBER MORNINGS FOR 9 YEARS - 15th & 20th December - The
minimum temperature on the 15th of 0.4C
recorded at 6.00am, along with a light frost, was the lowest for the month of
December since 7th December 2013 when 0.4C was also recorded. Cold dry air
following two cold fronts being pushed north from the Southern Ocean into New
South Wales resulted in the unusually chilly conditions.
The cool conditions continued for another five days with a second frost and
minimum of 1.0C on the 20th. It is
most unusual for frost level temperatures to occur in the second half of
December.
Armidale’s lowest December minimum on record at the current weather station
site was -0.5C on 4th Dec 1987, and also on 7th Dec 2002.
COLDEST DECEMBER DAY FOR 11 YEARS - 1st December - It was an overcast
drizzly day with cool easterly winds which restricted the maximum temperature
to just 14.8C. This is 9 degrees
lower than the average, and was Armidale’s coolest December day since 7th
December 2011 (14.0C).
NOVEMBER RAINFALL: 59.4 mm on 9
days, 23 mm lower than the average. The rain all fell in the first 15 days with
the remainder of the month dry except for a light fall on the 28th. Details in the November 2022 Weather Review. November 2022 daily data table.
COLDEST NOVEMBER MORNING FOR 16 YEARS - 17th November - Cold dry southerly
air following a cold front which passed through the region on the 15th caused
the temperature to drop to -0.6C at
5.35am on the 17th. This was the lowest November minimum since 17th November
2006 (-2.2C).
COLDEST NOVEMBER DAY & NIGHT FOR 16 YEARS - 2nd/3rd November - The
maximum temperature of 12.4C on the 2nd was the lowest for the month of
November since 16th November 2006 (11.2C), and the minimum of -0.4C with a
frost on the 3rd, was the lowest for November since 17th November 2006 (-2.2C).
The unseasonally cold conditions were caused by cold air following a front and
trough which passed through eastern New South Wales on the 1st and 2nd.
HEAVY RAIN & STRONG WINDS - 1st November - A strong cold front moved
through north-eastern New South Wales in the early morning. Strong winds
accompanied the front with gusts to 78 km per hour at Armidale airport between
2.30 and 3.30am, and gusts in excess of 50 km per hour in the Armidale valley.
Heavy rain fell between 3.30 and 4.30am. Rainfall totals for the 24 hours to
9am: Armidale city 39.2 mm, Armidale airport 49.4 mm. The heavy rain caused
moderate to major flooding in Dumaresq Creek.
OCTOBER RAINFALL: 148.0 mm on 18
days, 80 mm higher than the average. It was Armidale’s wettest October since
1972 (157.8 mm). The majority of the rain (108 mm) fell during the 11 day
period 17th to the 27th. Flooding occurred in Dumaresq Creek on four days. The
highest daily fall was 30.4 mm on the 17th. Details in the October 2022 Weather Review. October 2022 daily data table.
THUNDERSTORM, HEAVY RAIN & HAIL - 17th October - A low pressure trough
over eastern New South Wales generated a number of moderate to heavy
thunderstorms along the North Coast and Northern Tablelands. In the
mid-afternoon a large multi-cell thunderstorm developed south of Uralla and
slowly moved north reaching Armidale at 3.50pm with strong wind gusts and heavy
rain. From 4.00 to 4.10pm small and medium hailstones up to 15 mm diameter
fell, whitening the ground. The rain continued until around 4.30pm when the
storm moved away to the north. 30.4 mm of rain and melted hail was recorded at
the East Armidale station over the 40 minute period while the temperature
dropped from 17 degrees to 9 degrees during the height of the storm. Some of
the ice remained on the ground in shaded areas well into the following day
before melting. The heavy rain was confined to the central and eastern parts of
the city with west Armidale recording lighter falls. The Bureau weather station
at Armidale Airport recorded just 0.2 mm from the storm.
SEPTEMBER RAINFALL: 113.8 mm on 14
days, 64 mm higher than the average. It was Armidale’s wettest September since
1998 which recorded 116 mm. The highest
daily fall was 38.4 mm on the 22nd. Details in the September 2022 Weather Review. September 2022 daily data table.
RAIN EVENT - 21st-24th September - A low pressure trough moved through New
South Wales on the 21st and 22nd bringing widespread rain to the east of the
state with moderate to heavy falls on the Northern Tablelands. A second trough
brought further showers on the 23rd and 24th. The rainfall total in Armidale
for the four days ending 9am on the 25th was 59.2 mm. With this amount of rain
falling on already saturated catchments flooding occurred in Dumaresq Creek on
the 22nd, 23rd and 24th.
WINTER 2022 WEATHER REVIEW - Winter 2022 was cloudy with milder than normal
nights and rainfall close to average. Details in the Winter 2022 Weather Review.
AUGUST RAINFALL: 62.4 mm on 11 days, 14 mm higher than the average.
Most falls were light to moderate with the exception of 27.8 mm on the 5th
which caused moderate flooding in Dumaresq Creek. August 2022 Weather
Review. August
2022 daily data table.
COLD SNAP - 23rd August - A fast moving severe cold front passed through the
Northern Tablelands bringing strong winds, showers, low temperatures, and snow
to the higher areas in the evening. Snow settled on the ground in Guyra, but there were only a few snowflakes in Armidale.
The temperature dropped to 1.5C at 7.50pm as the front moved through.
JULY RAINFALL: 72.6 mm on 12 days, 26 mm higher than the average.
Most falls were light with the exception of 35.0 mm which fell on the 6th
causing flooding in Dumaresq Creek. Details in the July
2022 Weather Review. July 2022 daily data table.
JUNE RAINFALL: 10.2 mm on 3 days, 45
mm less than the average, driest June since 2001 (4.4 mm). The rain fell on
just 3 days (1st, 4th, 8th) with the remainder of the month completely dry.
Details in the June
2022 Weather Review. June 2022 daily data table.
MAY RAINFALL: 66.4 mm on 15 days, 24
mm higher than the average. The highest daily fall was 21.6 mm on the 13th.
Details in the May 2022 Weather Review. May 2022 daily data
table.
STRONG WINDS on 30th May affected large parts of New
South Wales as an intense cold front moved through the state. At Armidale
airport wind gusts exceeded 90 km per hour between 6.25 and 6.40pm as the front
passed through. In the Armidale valley at 6.30pm winds of over 60 km per hour
brought down trees and powerlines causing blackouts to some areas with power
not restored until the following morning.
WARM MAY WEATHER - 15th/16th May - The maximum temperature on 15th May of 23.2C
was the warmest for the month of May since 8th May 2016 (24.8C), and the
minimum temperature on the 16th of 14.1C was the highest for the month
of May since 2nd May 1983 (14.1C). The unusually mild conditions were brought
on by humid air moving from tropical Australia into New South Wales generating
an abundance of cloud trapping heat close to the ground.
APRIL RAINFALL: 30.6 mm on 15 days,
14 mm lower than the average. Light falls were scattered throughout the month
with the highest daily fall being 7.8 mm on the 4th. Details in the April 2022 Weather Review. April 2022 daily
data table.
FIRST FROST OF THE YEAR - 21st April - The first
frost for 2022 with a minimum of 1.0C
was recorded at 6.20am ending a frost-free period of 176 days since the last
frost on 26th October 2021. The frost season in Armidale usually runs from
early April to mid October.
MARCH RAINFALL TOTAL: 159.0 mm on 18 days, 93 mm higher than the average. It
was the wettest March since 2017 with minor or moderate flooding in Dumaresq
Creek on five days. The highest daily fall was 32.8 mm on the 7th. More details
in the March 2022 Weather Review. March 2022 daily
data table.
SUMMER OF 2021/2022 - It was the coolest summer for ten years with well above
average rainfall and only 18 sunny days. Details in the Summer 2021/22 Weather Review.
FEBRUARY RAINFALL TOTAL: 106.8 mm on
13 days, 19 mm higher than the average. The rain fell in two events - 2nd-6th
(37.6 mm), and 20th-27th (69.2 mm) with two weeks of dry weather in
between. February
2022 Weather Review. February 2022 daily data table.
JANUARY RAINFALL TOTAL: 103.0 mm on
14 days, 2 mm higher than the average. The heaviest falls occurred in the first
16 days with lighter falls during the remainder of the month. Details in the January
2022 Weather Review. January 2022 daily data table.
WET START TO THE NEW YEAR - 1st January - Showers developed over the
Northern Tablelands as a result of humid easterly winds and a low pressure
trough over western New South Wales. A heavy downpour over Armidale dropped 40.6
mm of rain at the city weather station in a little over two hours between
11.40am and 2pm. This was Armidale’s highest daily fall of rain since 18th
January 2020 (61.8 mm). The rain was lighter at the Armidale airport which
recorded 25.6 mm for the same period.
Weather News 2021
(using information from Armidale City weather
station)
2021 YEARLY
WEATHER REVIEW here. Includes
statistics table.
2021 TOTAL RAINFALL: 991.8 mm, 211
mm or 27 per cent higher than the average, and it was the wettest year since
2011. The months with the highest totals were February, March, November and
December.
DECEMBER RAINFALL: 125.4 mm on 14
days, 36 mm higher than the average. Most of the rain fell in the first nine
days with the heaviest fall being 28.0 mm on the 1st. There was a dry period
with warm sunny conditions from the 10th to the 20th with cloudy wet weather
returning from the 21st. Details in the December 2021 Weather Review. December 2021 daily data table.
NOVEMBER RAINFALL: 192.6 mm on 16
days, 111 mm higher than the average, it was the wettest November since 2011
(244 mm). There were a number of heavy falls during the month with flooding in
Dumaresq Creek on four days. The highest daily fall was 34.6 mm on the 27th.
November was also an unusually cool month with only four sunny days. Details in
the November 2021
Weather Review. November 2021 daily
data table.
COLDEST NOVEMBER DAY FOR 13 YEARS - 13th November - Cold air following a
low pressure trough and cold front which moved through eastern New South Wales
on the 12th produced very low day temperatures on the Northern Tablelands.
Armidale’s maximum on the 13th of just 14.0C
was the lowest November maximum since 17th November 2008 (13.1C).
Strong westerly winds made it feel even colder to be outdoors. At Armidale
airport on the 12th winds exceeded 80 km per hour between 1pm and 3pm, and on
the 13th winds exceeded 70 km per hour between 4.30 and 5.30pm.
OCTOBER RAINFALL: 84.4 mm on 14
days, 17 mm higher than the average. The highest daily fall was 19.8 mm on the
1st.
October 2021
Weather Review. October 2021 daily
data table.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM & TORNADO - Thursday 14th October - An active low
pressure trough moved through New South Wales generating thunderstorms over the
eastern part of the state. Severe storms developed in a number of areas
including Armidale when a storm passed over the city from the north-west
between 9.30 and 10.30pm. The storm produced heavy rain and hail from 9.50 to
10.10pm. Hailstones measured up to 25 mm diameter and whitened the ground.
Between 10.10 and 10.15pm, as evidenced by several private weather stations and
phone video, a tornado passed across north Armidale moving rapidly in a
south-easterly direction. The tornado uprooted trees, damaged roofs, smashed
windows, power lines brought down, a car was overturned, and large amounts of
debris were lifted from the ground and scattered for some distance. Several
houses lost their entire roofs. This damage is consistent with an F1 tornado as
measured by the Fujita
Scale which means wind speeds in excess of 116 kms per hour. Power was lost
to hundreds of homes and not restored until the following day. It appears the
tornado developed about 15 kms north-west of Armidale and headed on a
south-easterly path towards Armidale leaving an intermittent track of
destruction to rural properties along the way. Damage to trees east of Armidale
along the Waterfall Way near Burying Ground Creek indicates the tornado
continued some kilometres east of the city before finally dissipating.
Hail was fairly widespread across the city, while the tornado damage was
confined to a narrow track from the university across the north of Armidale to
eastern Erskine Street. Intermittent damage along this track indicates the base
of the tornado funnel probably lifted off the ground in some places.
SEPTEMBER RAINFALL: 36.4 mm on 9
days, 14 mm lower than the average. Falls were mostly light with the heaviest
being 15.0 mm on the 29th.
September 2021
Weather Review. September
2021 daily data table.
SEPTEMBER COLD SNAP - 21st September - Very cold air
following a severe cold front, which moved through north-east New South Wales
late on the 20th, produced showers of snow and hail on the higher areas of the
Northern Tablelands including Guyra. In Armidale
there were only a few small flakes of snow and a couple of very brief showers
of small hail between 10am and 2pm. Only 0.1 mm of rain was recorded. Maximum
temperature was 9.5C at 12.45pm.
WINTER 2021 WEATHER REVIEW - Winter 2021
was wetter than normal and warmer than normal. Details in the Winter 2021 Weather
Review.
AUGUST RAINFALL: 77.6 mm on 11 days,
30 mm higher than the average. There were two moderate rain events: 1st-4th
(28.2 mm), and 23rd-24th (42.6 mm). August 2021 Weather
Review. August 2021 daily data table.
AUGUST COLD SNAP - 24th August - A severe cold front passed through
north-eastern New South Wales in the early hours bringing moderate falls of
rain to Armidale, and light snow to higher areas around Guyra. The rain total
for the 24 hours to 9am was 24.0 mm with a further 7.2 mm falling during the
day. Temperatures were low during the day with a maximum of just 7.2C at
12.55pm. This was Armidale’s coldest August day since 12th August 2010 (6.8C).
JULY RAINFALL: 73.2 mm on 12 days,
26 mm higher than the average. Falls were well distributed throughout the month
with the highest daily fall being 15.4 mm on the 2nd. It was the wettest July
since 2012 (97.0 mm). July 2021 Weather
Review. July 2021 daily data table.
JUNE RAINFALL: 57.8 mm on 11 days, 3
mm higher than the average. Light and moderate falls were well distributed
throughout the month with the highest daily fall being 17.6 mm on the 3rd. June 2021 Weather Review. June 2021 daily data table.
COLD SNAP - 9th-10th June - Low
temperatures, strong winds and showers of rain and snow occurred on the
Northern Tablelands after a cold front passed through the region late on the
8th. A low pressure system associated with the front developed over southern
New South Wales on the 9th which generated cold west to north-westerly winds
over the north of the state. This surface system combined with upper level cold
air caused snow to fall over the higher areas of the tablelands including
Guyra, Black Mountain and Glen Innes on the 9th and 10th. Apart from a few
isolated snowflakes no snow fell in Armidale. The maximum temperature on the
10th was 5.6C. Total rain from this event was 18.8 mm.
MAY RAINFALL: 21.2 mm on 5 days, 21
mm less than the average. The rain fell in the first 11 days with the remainder
of the month completely dry.
May 2021 Weather
Review. May
2021 daily data table.
APRIL RAINFALL: 30.4 mm on 7 days,
15 mm less than the average. Most of the rain (26.8 mm) was recorded over two
days, the 16th & 17th.
April 2021 Weather
Review. April
2021 daily data table.
FIRST FROST/COLDEST APRIL MORNING FOR 13 YEARS - Monday 12th April - The
first frost for 2021 with a minimum of -3.1C
was recorded at 5.50am ending a frost-free period of 178 days since the last
frost on 15th October 2020. It was also the coldest April minimum recorded
since 30th April 2008 (-5.8C). The chilly morning was the result of cold dry
air following a cold front which moved through northern New South Wales early
on the 11th. In 2020 the first frost
also occurred on 12th April.
MARCH RAINFALL: 135.6 mm on 14 days, 70 mm higher than the average.
There were two moderate rain events on the 8th (27.6 mm) and the 14th (23.6
mm), and a major rain event on the 22nd/23rd (70.6 mm) causing local
flooding. March
2021 Weather Review. March 2021 daily data table.
MARCH RAIN EVENT - 22nd-23rd - While a low pressure trough along the New
South Wales coast caused heavy coastal rains and flooding, a second trough
intensified over the inland of the state generating widespread rain over the
eastern half of New South Wales. The two day total in Armidale city was 70.6
mm (48 hrs to 9am on the 24th). Armidale airport
recorded 71.6 mm for the same period. Moderate flooding occurred in Dumaresq
Creek on the 23rd and 24th. This was the result of the ground being almost
saturated from moderate rainfalls earlier in the month.
SUMMER OF 2020/2021 - Armidale’s summer months were wetter than normal and
slightly cooler than normal. Details in the Summer
2020/21 Weather Review.
FEBRUARY RAINFALL: 123.2 mm on 17 days,
35 mm higher than the average. Over half of the rain fell during two events -
34.0 mm from a cluster of active thunderstorms on the 24th, and 37.8 mm from a
low pressure trough which generated an area of moderate rain over the northern
tablelands and north-west slopes on the 27th.
February 2021 Weather Review. February 2021 daily
data table.
JANUARY RAINFALL: 34.0 mm on 13
days, 68 mm lower than the average. It was the driest January since 2014 which
recorded 17.2 mm. The majority fell in the first ten days (30.4 mm) with the
highest daily fall being 11.8 mm on the 7th.
Details in the January 2021 Weather Review. January 2021 daily
data table.
Weather News 2020
(using information from Armidale City weather
station)
2020
YEARLY WEATHER REVIEW here. Includes statistics table.
2020 TOTAL RAINFALL: 972.8 mm, 194
mm higher than the average. 2020 was Armidale’s wettest year since 2011 (1,048
mm).
DECEMBER RAINFALL: 193.6 mm on 22 days, 105 mm higher than
the average. It was the highest December rainfall since 1970 (202.2 mm). Light
to moderate rain fell on two out of every three days with the highest daily
fall being 45.0 mm on the 3rd. More
details in the December
2020 Weather Review. December 2020 daily
data table.
NOVEMBER RAINFALL: 15.2 mm on 6
days, 67 mm lower than the average. It was a very dry month with only light
falls except for 8.8 mm from a thunderstorm on the 22nd. It was also the driest
November since 1982 which recorded 9.8 mm.
November
2020 Weather Review. November 2020 daily
data table.
OCTOBER RAINFALL: 91.6 mm on 15
days, 24 mm higher than the average. The majority of the rain fell from the
18th to the 30th with the highest daily fall being 33.0 mm on the 22nd. Details
in the October 2020
Weather Review. October 2020 daily
data table.
HAILSTORM - Wednesday 28th October - A low pressure trough over northern
New South Wales generated thunderstorms over the north-east of the state with a
number of them producing hail. Hail fell in North Armidale twice in the early
afternoon with a more severe hailstorm just after 6pm. From 6.10 to 6.20pm hail
whitened the ground in most of the city with hailstones between 5 and 15
millimetres diameter with a few as large as 20 mm diameter. Some damage to
trees and gardens occurred. The rainfall and melted hail total for the 24 hours
to 9am on Thursday the 9th was 29.0 mm at the city weather station and 33.8 mm
at the airport.
SEPTEMBER RAINFALL: 34 .8 mm on 6
days, 15 mm lower than the average. The rain fell in two events: 9th-11th (21
mm), and 20th to 22nd (14 mm). September 2020 Weather
Review. September 2020 daily data table.
WINTER 2020 CLOSE TO NORMAL - Conditions throughout the winter months were
mostly close to normal including two light snowfalls.
Details in the Winter
2020 Weather Review.
AUGUST RAINFALL: 44.2 mm on 11 days,
4 mm lower than the average. Falls were mostly light with the exception of 16.2
mm which fell during the evening of the 14th.
August 2020
Weather Review. August 2020 daily data
table.
COLD SNAP - HAIL & SNOW - Saturday 22nd August - Very cold and windy conditions
following a severe cold front which passed through north-east New South Wales
in the early hours produced showers of rain, snow and hail on the Northern
Tablelands. After a maximum of 8.5C at 10.05am, the temperature in Armidale
dropped to just 2.4C at 3.30pm during showers of small hail and snow which
partially whitened the ground. The rain and snow fell from 3.15 to 3.35pm.
There were heavier snowfalls on higher parts of the region, mostly in the area
south of Walcha. Very little snow fell in the Guyra/Black Mountain area.
JULY RAINFALL: 45.2 mm on 12 days, 2
mm lower than the average. Most of the rain (33.6 mm) fell during a rain event
from the 25th to the 28th with the heaviest daily fall being 21.0 mm on the
26th. July 2020
Weather Review. July 2020 daily data
table.
JUNE RAINFALL: 35.6 mm on 11 days,
19 mm less than the average. Most falls were light with the exception of 14.8
mm on the 10th.
Details in the June
2020 Weather Review. June 2020 daily data
table.
JUNE COLD OUTBREAK - 22nd-23rd
June - Very cold winds combined with an upper level cold pool following a cold
front which passed through eastern New South Wales on Sunday 21st, resulted in
very light snow on the higher parts of the Northern Tablelands around Guyra on
Monday evening 22nd. Low day temperatures followed on Tuesday 23rd with
Armidale recording a maximum of just 5.5C
at 11.15am. This was Armidale’s coldest day since 18th July 2014 when 5.5C was
also recorded.
JUNE SNOW - 2nd June - Snow fell in Armidale city from 8.30 to 9.15am but
did not settle on the ground. Very cold conditions resulted in light snowfalls
along parts of the Northern Tablelands including Armidale and Guyra. Cold south-westerly winds following the passage of a
cold front the previous evening, and an upper level cold pool caused the
extreme wintry weather. Armidale’s maximum temperature for the day was 7.0C.
MAY RAINFALL: 38.6 mm on 10 days, 3 mm lower than the average. Rain was well
distributed throughout the month with the best falls on the 21st with 23.0 mm
recorded during the day. Details in the May 2020 Weather Review. May 2020 daily data table.
COLD SNAP - COLDEST MAY DAY FOR 20 YEARS - 22nd May - The maximum
temperature of just 6.7C recorded at
3.25pm was the lowest maximum for the month of May since 30th May 2000 (6.5C).
Overcast skies and cold westerly winds, following a severe cold front which
moved through the state on the 21st, caused the extreme wintry conditions.
APRIL RAINFALL: 41.2 mm on 4 days, 4
mm lower than the average. The rain fell in the first ten days with the
remainder of the month dry. Details in the April 2020 Weather Review. April 2020 daily data table.
FIRST FROST OF THE YEAR - Sunday 12th April - The first frost for 2020 with
a minimum of 1.6C was recorded at
6.30am bringing to end a frost-free period of 149 days since the last frost on
14th November 2019. The chilly morning was the result of cold dry air following
a cold front which moved through late in the previous evening of the 11th. In 2019
the first frost was recorded on 1st April. There was also a frost the following
day Monday 13th with a minimum of 0.0C.
WARMEST APRIL NIGHT FOR 22 YEARS - Saturday 4th April - The minimum
temperature of 16.0C recorded at 7.45am was the highest minimum for the month
of April since 13th April 1998 (17.1C). The unusually warm night was the result
of mild north-westerly winds being pushed ahead of a cold front and trough
moving through New South Wales.
MARCH RAINFALL: 59.4 mm on 15 days,
6 mm lower than the average. Details in the March 2020 Weather Review. March 2020 daily data table.
SUMMER OF 2019/2020 WETTEST FOR 23 YEARS - After two years of severe
drought welcome rains finally arrived in January and February with the total
for the three summer months of 436.0 millimetres making it Armidale’s wettest
summer since 1997. It was also the third warmest summer on record. Details in
the Summer 2019/20
Weather Review.
FEBRUARY RAINFALL: 171.4 mm on 16
days, 84 mm higher than the average. It was Armidale’s wettest February since
1997 (233.0 mm). Moderate to heavy falls occurred throughout the month with the
highest daily fall being 36.2 mm on the 9th. The total for January and February
of 373.4 mm was 185 mm higher than the average. Details in the February 2020 Weather
Review. February 2020 daily data table.
WARMEST NIGHT FOR 38 YEARS - Sunday 2nd February - The minimum temperature
of 21.0C recorded at 6.35am was the
highest minimum recorded at the present weather station site since 26th January
1982 (21.4C). The very mild overnight conditions were caused by a light warm
north-westerly wind which continued through most of the night and early
morning.
JANUARY RAINFALL - WETTEST FOR 16 YEARS - 202.0 mm on 14 days, 101 mm
higher than the average, and highest for the month of January since 2004 (212.0
mm). It was also the wettest month since November 2011 (244.4 mm). A series of
low pressure troughs developed over New South Wales during the month drawing in
tropical moisture from the north and north-west of Australia which generated
widespread thunderstorms and rain during two main events, 15th to 19th, and
23rd to 27th. Other lighter falls also contributed to the impressive total
which provided a welcome relief after nine consecutive months with below
average rain. Details in the January 2020 Weather Review. January 2020 daily data table.
BEST RAIN FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS - 15th to 19th January - An intense trough of
low pressure over north-east New South Wales produced Armidale’s best falls of
rain since March 2017. Over the five days thunderstorms and rain periods
brought a rain total of 114.4 mm.
The 24 hour total to 9am on the 18th of 61.8
mm was the highest daily fall since 24th November 2011 (87.6 mm).
CONSECUTIVE HOT DAYS - NEW RECORD - From 28th December 2019 through to 10th
January 2020 Armidale
experienced a record high of 14 consecutive days with temperatures reaching
30.0C or higher. The previous highest was 13 days in December 2018/January
2019.
The prolonged hot conditions were caused by low pressure troughs lingering over
inland New South Wales drawing in very hot dry air from central Australia. The
highest temperature recorded during the 14 day period was 36.7C on 5th January.
Weather News 2019
(using information from Armidale City weather
station)
2019 YEARLY WEATHER REVIEW here. Includes statistics table.
2019 DRIEST AND WARMEST ON RECORD - The rainfall
total for 2019 of 306.6 mm was 475
mm lower than the annual average and is the driest on record. The previous
driest was 420 mm in the drought year of 1874. The 2019 total of 306.6 mm is
equivalent to just 39 per cent of the average yearly rainfall.
It was also the warmest year on record with maximum temperatures averaging
22.9C. The previous warmest year was 1940 averaging 22.5C.
DECEMBER
2019 HEATWAVE - As low pressure troughs continued to bring
very hot air into New South Wales from the centre of Australia, December
temperature records in Armidale were broken on the 11th (35.2C), on the 20th
(36.3C) and on the 21st which recorded 37.8C.
The maximum on the 21st was not only a record high for the month of December,
it was also the hottest temperature for any month recorded since 16th January
1939 (38.9C).
December 2019 was the hottest December on record (based on average maximum
temperatures commencing 1891).
Armidale’s hottest daily temperature on record was 39.7C on 15th January 1939.
BUSHFIRE SMOKE - Sunday
8th December 2019. Bushfires burning to the east of Armidale caused a smoke
haze over the city on a number of days in the previous two months. The smoke
was particularly thick in the morning of Sunday 8th December with visibility
reduced to as low as 200 metres at 6am making it unpleasant to be outdoors. The
thick smoke remained for the rest of day with the visibility remaining at 600
metres or less.
DROUGHT IN ARMIDALE - Two of Armidale’s most severe droughts occurred in
the late 19th century.
The drought of 1873/74 was the worst with the lowest yearly rainfall on record
occurring in 1874 of 420 mm. The drought broke in February of 1875.
Second worst was in 1862 which lasted just over a year, breaking in January of
1863.
One of the more severe droughts in the 20th century lasted four years from 1979
to 1982, breaking in April of 1983.
The 2018/2019 drought commenced in
autumn 2018 with well below average rainfall recorded in almost every month
since then, the lowest being 1.2 mm in September 2019. The drought ended in
January 2020.
Statistics:
Driest year 2019: 307 mm. Second driest year 1874: 420 mm. Third driest year
1862: 436 mm. Fourth driest year: 1982: 460 mm.
Armidale’s average annual rainfall: 782 mm.
DRIEST WINTER ON RECORD - With a rainfall total of only 25.0 mm for June, July and August, the
winter of 2019 was the driest on record. The previous driest was 1982 with 27.2
mm. Details in the Winter 2019 Weather Review.
JANUARY 2019
HOTTEST ON RECORD - With
an average maximum temperature of 32.1C it
was Armidale’s hottest January and hottest month on record from 128 years of
temperature records. The previous hottest was January 1952. Maximums reached
30.0C or higher on 26 days which was a new record for any month.
Also from 26th December 2018 to 7th January 2019 Armidale experienced a record high of 13 consecutive days with
temperatures reaching 30.0C or higher. The previous highest was nine days in
January/February 2017.
The prolonged hot conditions were caused by low pressure troughs lingering over
inland New South Wales drawing in very hot dry air from central Australia.
The highest daily temperature in January 2019 was 37.4C on 19th, just 0.2C
below the record high at the present weather station site.
1 Jan 2017
2016 ARMIDALE’S HOTTEST YEAR ON
RECORD
2016 was Australia’s fourth hottest year on record, but in Armidale it was the
hottest year on record based on all maximum and minimum temperatures recorded
throughout the year. The database used for this calculation commences in 1891
with the period covering 126 years.
Highest: 2016 averaging 15.37C. Second highest: 2014 averaging 15.33C. Third
highest: 1998 averaging 15.15C. Fourth highest: 2009 averaging 15.09C.
Based on just maximum or day temperatures 2016 was Armidale’s third hottest on
record. Highest: 2014 averaging 22.4C. Second highest: 2002 averaging 22.3C,
third hottest: 2016 averaging 22.2C. Note that all these records have taken
place in the last 20 years.
Temperatures recorded since 1997 at
present weather station site in East Armidale have been adjusted to be
compatible with earlier CBD recordings.
25 July 2015
WEATHER OBSERVATIONS CUT
From 1st
August 2015 the Bureau of Meteorology will cut the 3pm observation from a large
number of weather stations staffed by co-operative observers across Australia.
As the Bureau continues to move away from human involvement and more towards
technology and automation, 36 manual weather stations in New South Wales,
including Armidale, will have their observation roster halved with only the 9am
readings remaining.
This means no information in the mid-afternoon will be available for
meteorologists or the general public in rural towns where there are no
automatic weather stations nearby. This includes the maximum temperature for
the day which will not be available until 9am the following day.
Evening television weather reports will be able to give minimum temperatures
only, maximums will be estimated.
In Armidale the TV networks will switch to using information from the automatic
weather station at the airport, although these temperatures will be a little
different from those at the city weather station where minimums in particular
are often several degrees colder than at the airport.
The following weather stations in New South Wales are included in the cuts:
56037 ARMIDALE (EAST ARMIDALE) NSW
49002 BALRANALD (RSL) NSW
54003 BARRABA POST OFFICE NSW
69134 BATEMANS BAY (CATALINA COUNTRY CLUB) NSW
48015 BREWARRINA HOSPITAL NSW
47007 BROKEN HILL (PATTON STREET) NSW
48031 COLLARENEBRI (ALBERT ST) NSW
64008 COONABARABRAN (NAMOI STREET) NSW
73142 COOTAMUNDRA AIRPORT NSW
74034 COROWA AIRPORT NSW
59140 DORRIGO (OLD CORAMBA RD) NSW
64009 DUNEDOO POST OFFICE NSW
70263 GOULBURN TAFE NSW
73014 GRENFELL (MANGANESE RD) NSW
73141 GUNDAGAI (WILLIAM ST) NSW
56229 GUYRA HOSPITAL NSW
75032 HILLSTON AIRPORT NSW
63039 KATOOMBA (MURRI ST) NSW
75039 LAKE CARGELLIGO AIRPORT NSW
63226 LITHGOW (COOERWULL) NSW
52020 MUNGINDI POST OFFICE NSW
61051 MURRURUNDI POST OFFICE NSW
61390 NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY NSW
51039 NYNGAN AIRPORT NSW
63063 OBERON (SPRINGBANK) NSW
66124 PARRAMATTA NORTH (MASONS DRIVE) NSW
50031 PEAK HILL POST OFFICE NSW
47029 POONCARIE MAIL AGENCY NSW
59030 SMOKY CAPE LIGHTHOUSE NSW
63077 SPRINGWOOD (VALLEY HEIGHTS) NSW
56032 TENTERFIELD (FEDERATION PARK) NSW
74106 TOCUMWAL AIRPORT NSW
72043 TUMBARUMBA POST OFFICE NSW
48079 WANAARING POST OFFICE NSW
65034 WELLINGTON (AGROWPLOW) NSW
55136 WOOLBROOK NSW
7 Jun 2012
ARMIDALE CITY NIGHTS COLDER THAN AIRPORT
Overnight temperatures on calm clear nights in the Armidale valley are colder
than nearby higher areas including the airport.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) automatic weather station at Armidale airport
is 5 kilometres from the CBD and is 93 metres higher than the BOM weather station in the city
resulting in some often rather large differences in temperatures between the
two stations.
The airport is located on an open wind-swept plateau, whereas the city is in a
sheltered valley. At the airport the wind often blows all night, but in the
protected valley it remains calm. On clear nights with no cloud to act as a
“blanket” to reflect outgoing radiation, the ground cools rapidly which chills
the layer of air in contact with it. A temperature inversion then occurs as
this dense cold air drains down the slopes to accumulate in the lower part of
the valley which can be up to four degrees colder than at the top of North and
South Hills. This process does not occur at the airport, and minimums there on
clear nights have been as much as eight degrees higher than those in the city.
The average difference is around two to three degrees.
During the day the situation is reversed. Because the airport is more
exposed, the winds are stronger than in the valley where some heating of the
air takes place because of its lighter winds. The resulting daytime maximum
temperatures are usually about one degree warmer than at the airport.
11 Jul 2010
ARMIDALE’S COLDEST TEMPERATURES
Armidale is located in a valley which is prone to very low temperatures on calm
clear winter nights when cold air drainage and temperature inversions are
common.
The lowest temperature recorded in Armidale was -11.2C on June 30th
2010, however we can be certain that it has been colder than this on a number
of occasions in the last century.
Temperatures are currently recorded at a site in East Armidale, but prior to
1981 the readings were taken in the CBD. During a period of 16 years from 1981
to 1997 when both stations were operating, it was determined that temperatures
on cold frosty nights at the East Armidale site were averaging around 3 degrees
lower than those in the CBD. We can therefore assume that temperatures of -8.0C
recorded in the CBD would be approximately equal to -11.0C at East Armidale.
An examination of weather records since 1908 reveals that temperatures have
dropped to this equivalent of -11.0C or lower on 17 occasions which are listed
below. This means that temperatures of -11.0C or lower occur on average of once
every 6.1 years. However it should be noted that 11 of the 17 dates occurred
from 1964 to 1971. This was during a period of general climate cooling. Overall
there were eight occasions which were colder than June 30th 2010.
Chronological list of temperatures of
-8.0C or lower recorded in the CBD from 1908 to 1996. The approximate
equivalent at East Armidale is shown in brackets. There was no CBD reading
available on the last date in 2010.
-10.0C (-13.0C) on 17/7/1918, -8.3C
(-11.3C) on 23/6/1932, -9.1C (-12.1C) on
27/7/1943, -8.1C (-11.1C) on 1/7/1948, -8.1C (-11.1C) on 13/8/1964, -8.2C (-11.2C) on 12/7/1965, -8.2C (-11.2C) on 13/7/1965, -8.2C (-11.2C) on 17/7/1966, -8.1C (-11.1C) on 1/7/1968, -8.7C (-11.7C) on 14/7/1970, -9.3C (-12.3C) on 15/7/1970, -8.7C (-11.7C) on 16/7/1970, -8.7C (-11.7C) on 17/7/1970, -8.3C (-11.3C) on 18/7/1970, -8.2C (-11.2C) on 4/7/1971, -7.7C (-11.0C actual reading at East Arm) on
25/6/1986, -11.2C at East Arm on
30/6/2010.
From this list we can see that the lowest was on July 17th 1918 with a
temperature of -13.0C equivalent to today’s location.
Note that five of the dates are in July 1970 which was an exceptionally severe
month and the coldest over the 103 year period with an average minimum of
-4.0C, equivalent to around -6.5C at East Armidale. July 1970 was also the
driest July on record with only 0.5mm recorded for the whole month.
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