Warmest June in Canberra for decades

Canberra has just experienced its warmest June in 51 years, according to weatherzone.com.au.

Daytime temperatures for the month averaged to 15 degrees, more than two degrees above the long-term mean of 12, and the warmest average maximum for June since 1957. In fact, on the 16th, temperatures rose to 17 degrees, the warmest June day since 2005.

In terms of minimums, it was also warm - there were only two sub-zero nights - the first time this has happened since records began in 1939. The lack of freezing nights, and predominance of warm nights, pushed the average minimum up to 4, more than 3 degrees higher than the long-term average of 1 degree. This also made it the warmest average June minimum since 1991.

When minimum and maximum temperatures were combined, the average for the month came in at 19 degrees, a massive 6 degrees above the long-term average, and the warmest since 1991.

“The warm days and nights were due to high pressure systems sitting well to the south of their normal position, allowing warmer north and east tending winds to affect the capital, instead of the typical cold Winter westerlies,” said Trevena.

“Warmer easterlies also increased moisture levels, leading to more cloud than normal, insulating the surface from radiation loss and keeping night-time temperatures warm as well as the days.”

The position of the highs had the additional effect of preventing rain bearing fronts from crossing the southeast, making it a fairly dry month. Just 21 mm was recorded on 7 days, the lowest since 2005. A cold front did manage to push over the region on Tuesday the 10th and Wednesday the 11th, and this led to the heaviest rain for the month, with 11 mm combined over the two days. After this, another high became dominant over the southeast of the country, and the only other significant rain was on the 4th and 20th, with low pressure systems near the NSW coast, an unusual source of Winter rain for Canberra.

“Over the next few months, daytime temperatures over the ACT are likely to remain above normal though rainfall should return to close to the long-term normal,” said Trevena.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2008

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