There are 3 main influences on the temperature climate of Tasmania:
- proximity to the sea ensures coastal locations will have a milder temperature regime than inland ones
- temperature decreases as altitude increases (by about 0.7°C for every 100 m in the free atmosphere), making elevated locations generally cooler than low level ones
- cloudiness in the west (a result of the persistent westerly winds) suppresses daytime temperatures there.
The normal daily temperature range close to the coast is around 7°C but can be double that inland. The high mountains and the Central Plateau are remote from the sea’s moderating influence, and there the night temperatures in particular can be low, especially in winter. Tasmania only occasionally experiences the hot days common in the mainland states.
High temperatures in the east and the south-east generally occur when warm air is carried across the state from the mainland. Bass Strait cools the lower layers of this air, moderating temperatures along the northern coast.
To display maps showing the average annual or monthly rainfall and minimum and maximum temperatures in Tasmania click on the following link and then enter your selection in the search fields:
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/map/anual_rainfall/
TEMPERATURES AT SELECTED STATIONS, Tasmania - 2002 (°C)
|
Station | | Summer(b) | Autumn(c) | Winter(d) | Spring(e) |
|
Burnie | Max | 20.2 | 19.1 | 14.0 | 16.4 |
| Min | 12.3 | 10.9 | 7.4 | 9.0 |
Bushy Park | Max | 21.7 | 19.9 | 13.8 | 18.0 |
| Min | 8.9 | 5.3 | 2.3 | 5.5 |
Flinders Island Airport | Max | 20.3 | 19.4 | 14.3 | 17.0 |
| Min | 12.6 | 10.2 | 7.6 | 9.3 |
Hobart (Ellerslie Rd) | Max | 19.8 | 18.6 | 13.7 | 17.2 |
| Min | 11.6 | 9.7 | 6.4 | 8.5 |
Launceston Airport | Max | 20.9 | 19.1 | 12.4 | 16.8 |
| Min | 8.8 | 5.8 | 2.8 | 5.8 |
Liawenee (Great Lake) | Max | 15.9 | 14.0 | 6.4 | 12.2 |
| Min | 3.8 | 2.3 | -1.0 | 0.9 |
Macquarie Island | Max | 9.7 | 6.8 | 5.3 | 6.4 |
| Min | 5.9 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 2.8 |
Swansea | Max | 20.4 | 18.3 | 15.1 | 18.3 |
| Min | 11.3 | 8.3 | 5.3 | 8.3 |
Strahan | Max | 10.1 | 8.7 | 6.6 | 7.4 |
| Min | 11.3 | 9.0 | 5.3 | 8.3 |
(a) At least 25 years of observations are required for the calculation of this figure. The period covers 1961 to 1990.
(b) December to February.
(c) March to May.
(d) June to August.
(e) September to November.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology. |
TEMPERATURES AT SELECTED STATIONS, Tasmania: Long Term Average (°C)
|
Station | | Summer(b) | Autumn(c) | Winter(d) | Spring(e) |
|
Burnie | Max | na | na | 13.2 | na |
| Min | na | na | 5.9 | na |
Bushy Park | Max | 22.7 | 17.7 | 11.3 | 17.0 |
| Min | 9.8 | 6.6 | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Flinders Island Airport | Max | 21.5 | 18.7 | 13.6 | 16.8 |
| Min | 12.7 | 10.8 | 6.4 | 8.7 |
Hobart (Ellerslie Rd) | Max | 21.2 | 17.6 | 12.4 | 17.0 |
| Min | 12.0 | 9.4 | 5.0 | 8.2 |
Launceston Airport | Max | 22.5 | 17.6 | 11.4 | 16.4 |
| Min | 9.8 | 7.0 | 2.7 | 5.7 |
Liawenee (Great Lake) | Max | na | na | na | na |
| Min | na | na | na | na |
Macquarie Island | Max | 8.6 | 7.0 | 5.1 | 5.9 |
| Min | 5.1 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 2.0 |
Swansea | Max | 21.5 | 18.5 | 13.6 | 17.5 |
| Min | 11.1 | 8.2 | 3.9 | 7.3 |
Strahan | Max | na | na | na | na |
| Min | na | na | na | na |
(a) At least 25 years of observations are required for the calculation of this figure. The period covers 1961 to 1990.
(b) December to February.
(c) March to May.
(d) June to August.
(e) September to November.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology. |