Press Release

Hobart welcomes wettest year since 1958

31/12/2009: Hobart has just experienced its wettest year since 1958, according to weatherzone.com.au.

The city picked up 862mm throughout 2009, well above the long term annual average of 615mm. This made it the wettest calendar year since 1958.

"The bulk of the rain fell during June and September, although almost all months came in at least average. There were consistent falls throughout the year, but a couple of major low pressure systems during the winter and early spring really boosted the total," weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Matt Pearce said.

December came in with a total of 57mm, right on the long term normal.

"Most of December’s rain fell on the 17th, as a strong cold front crossed the state. Apart from that period, the rest of the month was quite settled, with prolonged periods of dry weather."

2009 was also a warm year. Hobart had an average maximum of 17.6 degrees, slightly above the long term normal of 16.9. The city’s average minimum of 9.1 degrees was also slightly above the long term normal of 8.3. The mean temperature of 13.4 degrees came in as the highest since 2007.

"The high average temperatures can mainly be put down to a very warm January and August and a warm March, May, September, November and December."

December continued this trend of warm weather. The city had an average maximum during the month of 21 degrees, slightly above the long term normal of 20. This made it the warmest December in terms of daytime temperatures since 2007.

However, this hid significant variability in the temperatures. For example, on the 16th, the city peaked at 34 degrees, the hottest December day in six years. Then, the very next day, on the 17th, the mercury struggled to just 12 degrees, making it the coldest December day in 17 years.

The nights were closer to normal. Hobart’s average minimum of 11 degrees was right on the long term normal for December. However, there were a couple of warm nights. For example, this morning, on the 31st, the temperature did not fall below 17 degrees, making it the warmest December night in two years.

When both daytime and overnight temperatures were combined, Hobart’s average temperature for December came in at 16 degrees, right on the long term normal.

"At this stage, we are expecting 2010 to be drier than normal, although this trend will be more pronounced at the start of the year," Pearce said.

Media Inquiries:

Matt Pearce
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9236

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