30/04/2009: Hobart has just experienced its wettest April for eight years, according to weatherzone.com.au.

The city picked up 67mm throughout the month, above the long term normal of 52mm. This made it the wettest April since 2001.

With the exception of eastern and inland areas, it was a wet month right across Tasmania. For example, Bridport, in the state’s northeast, received 106mm, its highest total for April in 14 years of records.

"Most of the rainfall occurred during the last week of the month, as a series of strong cold fronts and associated low pressure systems crossed Tasmania. These systems brought widespread heavy rain, gales and highland snow to the state in an early taste of winter," weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Matt Pearce said.

Temperatures were close to average. Hobart had an average maximum of 18 degrees, slightly above the long term normal of 17.

However, this hid some variability in the temperatures. For example, on the 2nd, the mercury soared to 25 degrees, the warmest April day in two years. Then, at the other end of the month, on the 29th, the city shivered to a top of just 11 degrees, making it the coldest April day in three years.

Hobart’s average minimum of nine degrees was right on the long term normal.

Once again, though, this masked significant variability in the overnight temperatures. On the morning of the 3rd, the city dipped down to 16 degrees, the warmest April night in four years. Then, this morning, on the 30th, the temperature plunged to just one degree, making it the coldest April night in 46 years.

When both daytime and overnight temperatures were combined, Hobart’s average temperature came in at 13 degrees, right on the long term normal.

"The month was split clearly into two halves – the first half was relatively warm, dry and settled, whereas the end of the month was cold, windy and wet. As a result, the overall temperatures came in close to average," Pearce said.

"We are expecting near normal rainfall over the next few months. Daytime temperatures are also likely to be close to normal, while the nights may be a little cooler than average heading into winter."

Media Inquiries:

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

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