31/05/2010: Canberra has just experienced its wettest autumn in 20 years, and the coldest in seven years, according to weatherzone.com.au.

Over the last three months the Australian capital has been splashed with 175 millimetres of rain. More than a third of this occurred in May. The rain gauge recorded 71 millimetres in the last month, making it the wettest May in 15 years.

Samuel Terry, meteorologist for weatherzone.com.au, explained why Canberra was so wet.

“We’ve seen a lot of humid tropical air being forced in over New South Wales and the ACT in the last few months. This type of system often reaches the Great Dividing Range, causing widespread rain.”

“In May, we’ve also seen intense rainfall systems develop just off the New South Wales coast. The South Coast was hardest hit but some of this rain did make it into the Southern Tablelands and Canberra.”

Maximum temperatures in Canberra have also been cool over the last few months. In fact, Canberra had their coldest autumn in seven years by averaging a maximum of 21 degrees.

May in particular was a notable month for temperatures. Overall, it was the capital’s coldest May in four years.

“Rainfall and cloud cover stopped any prolonged periods of heat in Canberra during autumn this year,” Terry explained. “This is why we’ve seen cooler maximum temperatures.”

“Winter temperatures are expected to stay near-average or slightly above average. Rainfall chances are expected to remain high going into winter as well.”

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.