February 2014 Review - Sydney

Temperatures in Sydney for February were slightly above average for 2014. It was slightly warmer than both 2012 and 2013, but cooler than 2010 and 2011. It was a little dry though with Sydney Airport recording just under half the long term average. Despite being rather dry, the average daily sunshine of 6.5 hours was below the long term average of 7.1.

The graph below shows February averages at Sydney Airport during the last 6 years.

February averages at Sydney Airport for the period 2009-2014 plus the long term average

Both the average minimum and maximum were the third highest since 2009. Like the previous 5 years, February 2014's averages were also above the long term figures of 19.0C and 26.4C.

February's warmest day was the 26th when it got to 34.9C, one of only 3 days of the month above 30C. The highest minimum of 22.3C came on February 12. This was the lowest of the past 6 years. The lowest monthly temperature of 15.9C, the second lowest of the past 6 years, was recorded on the 7th. The last day of the month was responsible for the coolest daily maximum of only 21.9C.

Sydney Airport saw a monthly rainfall total of 56.0mm, just under half the long term average of 113.3mm. It was the third driest February out of the last 10. Observatory Hill recorded 61.0mm, just over half the long term average of 118.3mm. The graph below shows the daily rainfall totals for the month.

Daily rainfall totals during February 2014

There were 11 days on which rain was recorded at the Airport. The wettest day was February 19 when a total of 23.2mm fell. That was due to a large storm that affected Sydney and surrounding regions late in the afternoon.

Only 3 days of the month recorded wind gusts over 60km/h. The 76km/h south-southwesterly gust on February 10 was the strongest of the month. This is the strongest of the year so far, but was below February 2013's strongest of 91km/h. Both February 14 and 18 recorded the weakest daily gust of 31km/h.