MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE

Snow, hail fall in August despite warm conditions in ACT

A total of 60.8 millimetres of rain was recorded at the airport over 12 days, well above the long-term average of 47.2mm on 11 days. While no thunderstorms were recorded (average one day), hail fell at the airport on 18 August and in southern suburbs on the 1st. Snow was recorded on the 27th. Rainfall varied from 143.6mm at Bendora Dam to 59.6mm at Queanbeyan. Most places recording 60-70mm.

The average daily maximum temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius was well above the mean of 12.9 degrees. The average daily minimum of 1.4 was also well above the mean of 0.9 degrees. The average daily temperature of 7.4 degrees was above the long-term figure of 6.9. There were 17 frosts in August (average 19), while mean daily sunshine of 6.9 hours a day was just above the average of 6.8. An exceptionally warm spell from the 10th to 16th produced a maximum temperature of 20.1 degrees on the 16th, the earliest August date on which a temperature of 20 degrees or more has been recorded.

There were seven consecutive days of strong winds for the month (average three), from 16-22 August, the first occasion since October 1967 in which there has been such a run of strong winds. The record nine consecutive days of strong winds occurred on 6-14 August 1967 and 25 August-2 September 1967. The average daily wind run at the airport was 257.6 kilometres a day, considerably more than the average of 198.4.

There were no fogs recorded at the airport, equalling the 1940 record low for August. Evaporation of 90.4 mm was above the long-term average of 78.6mm, while the average daily pressure of 1016.2 hectopascals was well below the average of 1019.1.

Summary for Canberra Airport, August 2001
Mean maximum temperature	13.5C (av 12.9C)
Highest maximum temperature	20.1 C (16 August)
Lowest maximum temperature	9.6C (21 August)
Mean minimum temperature	1.4C (av 0.9C)
Highest minimum temperature	8.9C (16 August)
Lowest minimum temperature	-5.4C (2 August)
Mean daily temperature	7.4oC (av 6.9C)
Lowest grass temperature	-8.6 C (24 August)
Total monthly rainfall	60.8mm (av 47.2mm)
Total monthly evaporation	90.4mm (av 78.6mm)
Mean daily sunshine	6.9 hours/day (av 6.8 h/day)
Mean daily pressure	1016.2hPa (1019.1hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at two metres)	257.6 km/day (av 198.4 km/day)

SEASONAL CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE

Warmer than average winter in the ACT

A total of 131.4 millimetres of rain was registered at Canberra Airport in winter, marginally above the long-term average of 128.9mm. Falls in June and July were below average, but were above average in August. Rainfall was recorded on 29 days, one fewer than the average. The highest 24-hour total to 9am was 24.0mm on 27 August. This was the wettest day since 5 February when 55.4mm was recorded. No thunderstorms were recorded at the airport for the season (average one), while there was one day of hail. Hail was also reported in several suburbs on 25 July and 1 August. There was one day of snow for the season (average one).

The mean daily maximum temperature for winter of 13.5 degrees Celsius was significantly above the average of 12.1. It equals winter 1999 as the second highest mean on record. The record is 13.6 degrees in winter 1982. The average daily minimum temperature was 0.7 degrees, just above the average of 0.5. The average daily temperature for the season was 7.1 degrees, well above the average of 6.3. Average maximum temperatures were considerably above average in all winter months. Above-average minimum temperatures were recorded in July and August. In June it was below average.

The mean daily sunshine of 6 hours/day was also above the average of 5.8. June and August had above average sunshine and July had below average. There were 59 frosts for the season, one above average. June had more frosts than average, July had an average number of frosts, while August was below average. There were only 13 fogs for the season, well below the average of 21. While there were an average number of fogs in June, the number was below average in July and August. No fogs were recorded in August, equalling the 1940 record for August.

Winter was less windy than normal. June was about average, July was well below average, and August was well above average. There were eight strong wind days for the season (average seven days), with seven consecutive days of strong winds. This is the longest run since seven consecutive strong wind days were recorded in October 1967. Although August was well above average for wind, June was just above average and July was well below average. The mean daily wind run for the season of 163.8 kilometres a day was below the long-term average of 173.3.

The mean daily pressure of 1021.0 hectopascals was just above the average of 1020.2. Total evaporation of 90.4mm was above the seasonal average of 78.6mm.

Summary for Canberra Airport, winter 2001
Mean maximum temperature	13.5C (av 12.1C)
Highest maximum temperature	20.1C (16 August)
Lowest maximum temperature	5.5C (6 July)
Mean minimum temperature	0.7C (av 0.5C)
Highest minimum temperature	10.4C (13 June)
Lowest minimum temperature	-5.5C (30 June)
Mean daily temperature	7.1C (av 6.3C)
Lowest grass temperature	-8.7C (20 June)
Total winter rainfall	131.4mm av 128.9mm)
Total winter evaporation	177.0mm (av 175.6mm)
Mean daily sunshine	6.0 hours/day (av 5.8 h/day)
Mean daily pressure	1021.0hPa (av 1020.2hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at two metres)	163.8km/day (av 173.3km/day)