The Weather at
Armidale NSW
A compilation of present and past weather at Armidale
NSW Australia
Armidale is
located on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, elevation 987 metres
All information from Bureau of Meteorology weather stations in Armidale
IMAGE: A summer storm approaching
Armidale.
Photographed from Rologas Sporting
Fields.
Armidale Airport: Current temperature and wind information from
the airport HERE.
Note: The airport is 93 metres higher and five kilometres
from the city weather station resulting in slightly different weather conditions
occurring there. Winds are usually around 10 to 15 kms
per hour stronger at the airport. Day temps are about one degree lower, and
night and early morning temps can be around two to four degrees higher at the
airport.
Armidale City Weather Station -
click button below for current conditions:
Note: If temperature is shown in degrees F, go to settings icon at top
right of screen and select degrees C.
Latest maximum/minimum temps and 24 hour rainfall, updated daily at
9.30am (refresh page to update)
Yesterday’s max 18 Mar: 21.6C This morning’s min 19
Mar: 9.7C
Rainfall 24 hours to 9am today 19
Mar: 9.4mm
Last
Rain: 18 Mar Next
Rain: 19 Mar (based on latest
forecasts, may change)
Armidale Forecast
Guyra Weather
Guyra
weather website
ARMIDALE LONG TERM AVERAGES & EXTREMES Updated to 31st Dec 2023
RAINFALL CHART for your farm/home rainfall recordings. PDF format - printable.
This Month - March 2024
Total Rainfall up to 9am on 19 Mar:
66.0 mm (average 67 mm)
This Year - 2024 up to 19 Mar:
Total Rainfall: 251.6 mm (Jan-Mar av: 256 mm, annual
av: 782 mm)
Highest Daily
Rainfall: 56.2 mm
on 19th Feb
Highest Temperature: 34.8 on 25 Jan
Lowest Temperature: 5.7C on 12 Mar
Hot Days - Temp 30.0C or higher: 16 (average: 16 days)
Cold Days - Maximum below 10.0C: 0 (average: 15 days)
Cold Mornings with Frosts: 0
(average: 97)
Climate Change at Armidale
CLIMATE CHANGE AT EAST ARMIDALE
1ST GRAPH: Average temperatures for the
last 43 years. The dotted line is
the ten year average.
2ND GRAPH: Average summer temperatures
for the last 44 years. The red line
is the average maximum for each summer, the blue line
is the average
minimum for each year. The black line in the middle is the overall average.
The pale dotted black lines show the linear trend.
Weather News 2024
(using information from Armidale City weather
station)
SUMMER OF
2023/2024 - It was a wet and cloudy summer with temperatures
well above normal. Details in the Summer 2023/2024 Weather Review.
FEBRUARY RAINFALL: 102.4 mm on 10
days, 14 mm higher than the average. The highest daily fall was 56.2 mm on the
18th.
February
2024 Weather Review. February 2024 daily
data table.
JANUARY RAINFALL: 83.8 mm on 10
days, 17 mm lower than the average. Daily falls were light except for 17.2 mm
on the 18th and 40.4 mm on the 29th. January
2024 Weather Review. January 2024 daily data table.
HOTTEST WEATHER FOR 3 YEARS - 22nd to 27th January - The maximum temperatures
of 34.5C on 22nd January and 34.8C on 25th January were the highest
for any month since 2nd December 2020 when 36.4C was recorded. The hot
conditions were caused by low pressure troughs developing over inland New South
Wales drawing in very warm air from central Australia.
The overnight minimum on 27th January of 20.0C was also the highest
minimum temperature recorded for any month since the same date - 2nd December
2020, when 20.0C was also recorded.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weather News 2023
(using information from Armidale City weather
station)
2023
YEARLY WEATHER REVIEW - 2023 was warmer than
normal but with lower than average rainfall particularly during the winter
months. Details in the 2023 Yearly Weather Review here. Includes
statistics table. (PDF format - printable)
2023 TOTAL RAINFALL: 684.2 mm, 99 mm
lower than the average. Rainfall was below average in all but three months - March,
November and December - see graph above. March was the wettest month with 165.6
mm, and September was the driest with just 4.4 mm.
DECEMBER RAINFALL: 129.2 mm on 14
days, 40 mm higher than the average. Most of the rain (102 mm) fell in the
second half of the month as a result of a number of low pressure troughs
developing over the state. The highest daily fall was 43.4 mm on the 20th. Details in the December 2023 Weather Review. December 2023 daily data table.
NOVEMBER RAINFALL: 97.6 mm on 16
days, 16 mm higher than the average. A number of low pressure troughs developed
over northern New South Wales during the month contributing to the higher than
normal November rainfall. The highest daily fall was 18.6 mm on the 10th.
Details in the November
2023 Weather Review. November 2023 daily
data table.
OCTOBER RAINFALL: 46.8 mm on 5 days,
21 mm less than the average, and was the seventh consecutive month with below
average rainfall. The highest daily fall was 34.8 mm on the 27th. Details in
the October 2023
Weather Review. October 2023 daily
data table.
HAILSTORM - 27th October - Humid easterly winds
feeding into a low pressure trough over north-eastern New South Wales caused
the development of a large number of thunderstorms in the evening of the 26th
and early hours of the 27th. Armidale experienced thunderstorms moving from the
north from 10.40pm through until around 2am with hail from 12.55 to 1.10am.
Hailstones 10 to 20 mm diameter were numerous enough to completely whiten the
ground. Much needed rain during and following the storms totalled
34.8 mm for the 24 hours to 9am on the 27th.
SEPTEMBER RAINFALL: 4.4 mm on 3
days, 46 mm lower than the average. It was the driest September since the
drought year of 2019 (1.2 mm), and was the sixth consecutive month with below
average rainfall. Details in the September 2023
Weather Review. September 2023 daily data table.
WARMEST SEPTEMBER DAY FOR 6 YEARS - 18th Sept - The maximum of 27.5C
was the highest for September since 23rd September 2017 when 28.5C was
recorded. The unusually warm conditions were caused by north-westerly winds
drawing warm air into New South Wales from the centre
of Australia.
COLDEST SEPTEMBER MORNING FOR 6 YEARS - 10th Sept - The early morning
minimum of -5.4C was the lowest for September since 2nd September 2017
when -6.2C was recorded. Cold dry air in the wake of a cold front which passed
through on the 8th caused the unusually chilly conditions.
WARMEST WINTER ON RECORD - The winter of 2023 was Armidale’s
mildest winter on record based on maximum temperatures from 133 years of
records. The average maximum for the three winter months of 15.7C was 2.3C
higher than the long term average, and was the highest since 1891 when reliable
temperature records commenced. The unusually warm conditions were caused by
strong high pressure systems moving across northern New South Wales keeping
rain bearing systems with colder temperatures to central and southern parts of
the state.
The total rainfall for the three months was 50.2 mm, 150 mm less than the
average.
Details in the Winter 2023
Weather Review.
AUGUST RAINFALL: 8.8 mm on 4 days,
39 mm lower than the average. Rainfall has been below average in every month
this year with the exception of March. Details in the August 2023 Weather Review. August
2023 daily data table.
JULY RAINFALL: 15.4 mm on 6 days, 32
mm lower than the average. The rain fell in the first week with the remainder
of the month dry except for 0.2 mm on the 18th. Details in the July 2023 Weather Review. July 2023 daily data
table.
WARMEST JULY DAY FOR 7 YEARS - 30th July - The maximum of 20.1C was
the highest for the month of July since 20th July 2016 when 21.2C was recorded
which was the highest on record for July at the present weather station site.
COLDEST MORNING FOR 5 YEARS - 20th July - The minimum of -9.2C was
the lowest temperature recorded since 15th July 2018 when -10.1C was recorded.
A high pressure system over New South Wales combined with very dry air resulted
in many low minimum temperatures over the state. The minimum at Armidale
airport was milder at -4.8C. Temperatures in the Armidale valley drop to -8.0C
or lower on average of two days per year.
JUNE RAINFALL: 26.0 mm on 6 days, 29
mm lower than the average. Daily falls were all light with the exception of
15.4 mm on the 23rd. June was the third consecutive month with below average
rain. Details in the June 2023 Weather Review. June 2023 daily data
table.
COLDEST MORNING FOR TWO YEARS - 21st June - The minimum temperature of -7.6C
was the lowest recorded since 7th July 2021 which was also -7.6C. The chilly
morning was the result of cold dry air following the passage of a front two
days earlier combined with a high pressure system over New South Wales which
produced clear skies overnight with no wind. The minimum at the Armidale
airport was a little milder at -4.4C. Temperatures in the Armidale valley drop
to -7.0C or lower on average of four days per year.
MAY RAINFALL: 12.4 mm on 2 days, 30
mm less than the average, and was Armidale’s driest
month since June 2022 (10.2 mm). The rain fell over the two day period
15th-16th. Details in the May 2023 Weather Review. May 2023 daily data
table.
COLDEST MAY MORNING FOR 7 YEARS - 28th May - The minimum of -6.7C which
occurred at 6.50am was the lowest for the month of May since 30th May 2016 when
-7.0C was recorded. The minimum at the Armidale Airport weather station was a
little higher at -3.4C. Such differences between the two weather stations are
common on calm clear nights when temperature inversions develop in the Armidale
valley.
FIRST FROST OF THE YEAR - 4th May - The first
frost for 2023 with a screen minimum of 2.2C
was recorded at 6.50am ending a frost-free period of 134 days since the last
frost on 20th December 2022. The minimum temperature on the grass was -2.4C.
This started a run of eleven consecutive frosts.
APRIL RAINFALL: 31.8 mm on 11 days,
13 mm less than the average. There were no major rain systems during the month, all falls were light except for a moderate fall of
16.2 mm on the 7th. Details in the April 2023 Weather Review. April 2023 daily data table.
MARCH RAINFALL: 165.6 mm on 15 days,
99 mm higher than the average, wettest March since 2017 (201 mm). There were
several moderate and heavy falls including 62.2 mm on the 29th which was the
highest daily fall of rain for three years. Most of the rain for the month fell
during thunderstorms.
Details in the March
2023 Weather Review. March 2023 daily data table.
HEAVIEST RAIN FOR 3 YEARS - 28th/29th March - A low pressure trough over
inland New South Wales intensified during the 28th producing thunderstorms and
areas of heavy rain over the east of the state. Armidale received moderate to
heavy falls in the evening of the 28th and morning of the 29th. The 24 hour
total to 9am on the 29th of 62.2 mm
was the highest daily fall since 18th January 2020.
SUMMER OF 2022/2023 - It was a dry summer with rainfall 103 mm lower than the average, and
temperatures were unusually cool for the first three weeks. Details in the Summer 2022/23 Weather Review.
FEBRUARY RAINFALL: 64.8 mm on 10 days, 23 mm lower than the average. Most of the
daily falls were light with the exception of the 27th when 27.4 mm was recorded
from thunderstorms. February 2023 Weather Review. February
2023 daily data table.
COOLEST FEBRUARY MORNING FOR 18 YEARS - 5th February - The minimum temperature of 3.7C recorded at 5.35am was the lowest
for the month of February since 4th February 2005 when 2.5C was recorded. The
unusually cool overnight conditions were caused by cool dry air being pushed
north over New South Wales by a low pressure system and cold front passing over
southern Australia.
JANUARY RAINFALL: 81.4 mm on 14
days, 20 mm lower than the average. The highest daily falls were 21.8 mm on the
23rd, and 21.0 mm on the 31st.
January
2023 Weather Review. January
2023 daily data table.
TELEVISION REPORTING OF ARMIDALE’S WEATHER - Since 1st
August 2015 when the Armidale city weather station ceased taking 3pm daily readings,
all three television networks (ABC, NBN, Prime) in their evening weather
reports report the day’s maximum and minimum temperatures from Armidale
airport.
Unfortunately the airport temperatures are not as representative of conditions
in the city due to its higher elevation. Overnight minimums in particular are
often around 2 to 5 degrees colder at the city weather station which is located
in the Armidale valley where temperature inversions are common on calm clear
nights. More details on the reasons for temperatures differences between the
two stations and a list of Armidale’s lowest
temperatures here.
Temperatures recorded at the city weather
station can be accessed from the Bureau of Meteorology after about 9.40am
here:
9am daily
summary - scroll down to Northern Tablelands.
Also here after mid-afternoon: Armidale daily
observation tables.
The previous day’s maximum and the current day’s overnight minimum in the city
are also shown at the top of this page after about 9.30am.
EVAPORATION - How
much water is lost through evaporation every day/month/year from water storages
on farms? During times of low rainfall, water loss through evaporation can be
critical for the survival of pastures, crops and livestock. Evaporation
readings have been taken at the East Armidale weather station since 1983, and
this data has been used to build up a profile for the Armidale area of this
important aspect of the weather. Details here:
Evaporation in
Armidale.
IS ARMIDALE’S CLIMATE BECOMING WARMER?
Go to the bottom of this page for the 128 year Armidale temperature
graph.
SNOW IMAGES - Gallery of snow photographs
taken in various locations on the Northern Tablelands over the last 30 years:
Snow images
1984 to 2015.
EBOR FALLS ICE AND SNOW (Historic
Event) - In July 2007, after several mornings of sub-zero temperatures,
Ebor Falls, 80 kms east of Armidale, partly froze and
a mini snowfield was created by spray at the base of the falls. Photographs of this amazing event here.
Forecast Rainfall
Where
will it fall, when will it fall, and how much is likely to fall?
Click HERE to
access the Bureau of Meteorology's four day rainfall predictions.
This Month’s Daily Data
Click HERE
for daily data for this month compiled by the Bureau of Meteorology. Data is
from the city weather station at East Armidale except for wind and pressure
readings which are from the Armidale Airport weather station.
More detailed daily data can be found below - Armidale Weather - Daily Data
Files.
March in Armidale - what can we expect?
Normal conditions in March…
Summer weather usually continues throughout the first month of autumn with warm
sunny days and cool to mild nights. No need to unpack
the winter gear yet!
Day
temperatures are mostly in the low to mid-twenties and can occasionally reach
30 degrees, and humid easterly winds may bring in cloud and drizzle from the
coast on some days.
Rainfall
is lower than in the summer months and the thunderstorm season is almost over.
Average max temp: 23.6 deg
Average min temp: 10.5 deg
Average rainfall: 67.0 mm on 10 days
Average fine sunny days: 15
Average days with thunderstorms: 3
Average
frosts: 0.5
Average hours of sunshine per day: 6.9
Hottest: 33.8 deg on 20th Mar
2015 Coldest:
-1.7 deg on 30th Mar 2008
Hottest at former CBD site:
34.4 deg on 7th Mar 1938
National
Climate Centre outlook for March 2024:
An El Nino
event in the Pacific Ocean is expected to weaken during autumn 2024 and finish
by the start of winter. El Nino events usually cause lower than normal rainfall
over eastern Australia along with warmer than normal temperatures in the
southern two thirds of the continent.
The Indian Ocean Dipole
is currently neutral. A positive IOD usually leads to reduced rainfall over
central and south-east Australia, while a negative IOD can lead to above
average rainfall.
For Armidale in March 2024 - Rainfall close to the long term average. Maximum and minimum temperatures higher than the long term average.
Armidale Weather
Weather at Nearby Locations & Links to
Webcams & Automatic Weather Stations (AWS)
DO YOU HAVE ANY
PHOTOGRAPHS OF ARMIDALE'S WEATHER? I'm always on the lookout for good weather
photos for this website. If you have any which you think look good (interesting
clouds, sunsets, hail, frosts, snow, floods etc) in
or around Armidale, please email them to me here.
Information and
statistics in these pages referring to Armidale are sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology
weather station in East Armidale, station number 56037. Some data is also used
from the Bureau’s automatic weather station at Armidale airport, station number
56238.
Feedback or queries: here.
Armidale Yearly
Rainfall 1878-2023
Armidale Yearly Temperatures 1891-2023
The above graph
shows the average (mean of average max and average min) temperature for each
year from 1891 to 2023.
The dotted line is the ten year average which shows periods of warming and
cooling.
Until 1997 temperatures were recorded in Armidale’s
CBD. Temperatures recorded since 1997 at the East Armidale site have been
weighted to be compatible with the earlier recordings.