01/03/2010: Although there wasn’t much to write home about in terms of day-time heat, overnight minimum temperatures were the warmest on record for summer in Canberra, according to weatherzone.com.au.

Canberra’s maximum temperatures averaged 27 degrees in February, barely deviating from the norm. However it was the overnight temperatures that were really unusual.

The mercury barely dipped below 16 degrees over the first half of the month, with an overall average of 15.7 degrees. This brought the warmest minimum temperatures for February in 27 years. It was also a continuation of the trend set up in December. In the end, it was actually the warmest minimum temperatures for summer in 60 years of records.

“Humidity certainly played a huge role in Canberra this summer,” said Sam Terry, meteorologist for weatherzone.com.au. “Easterly winds fed moisture inland for part of February, and a series of dying tropical systems brought moisture into the south, allowing the air to retain heat for longer.”

“Rain and cloud were just one more factor involved, trapping the heat that would usually escape into space during the night.”

In terms of rainfall, Canberra had over-and-above the typical amount during February. All-in-all 125 millimetres of rain splashed the Capital, making it the wettest month in eight years. This was helped considerably by persistent falls during the 14th and 15th.

“Almost all of New South Wales was awash with in excess of 200 percent of its monthly rainfall average, and Canberra was no exception,” Terry said. “Left-over moisture was funnelled over the southern NSW ranges by a trough, and consequently there was widespread flooding for many places.”

“The start of March should see some more rain, but the rest of the month is expected to be a lot drier.”

Media Inquiries:

Samuel Terry
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9236

About Weatherzone:

Weatherzone is Australia's most popular commercial meteorological resource, supplying weather information to most of Australia's major television broadcasters and websites. www.weatherzone.com.au has been developed by a team of world class meteorologists and features user friendly, up-to-the minute access to weather across the country.

If you wish to opt out from future messages, send a reply email with the subject UNSUBSCRIBE, or click here.