State’s wild weather strikes a year of extremes

A new report from Australia’s Climate Council details the bizarre weather Tasmania experienced in 2018.

A NEW report released by Australia’s Climate Council details the bizarre weather Tasmania experienced in 2018, in what was a record-breaking year for rainfall in parts of the state.

The report released this week also revealed the extent of Australia’s record-breaking summer – which was so hot fruit cooked on trees.

In the first week of December, daily Tasmanian rainfall records for the month were broken.

A complex low-pressure system also brought record-breaking rainfall to many sites in southeastern Tasmania last May.

On May 11, heavy rainfall brought significant flooding to Greater Hobart, with the suburbs of Kingston, Sandy Bay and Blackmans Bay the worst affected.

Record autumn daily rainfall occurred at 20 sites and record daily rainfall for any time of year occurred at 12 sites.

HAVOC AS WILD WEATHER FLOODS CITY

CRACKS IN HOBART HOMES AFTER DAMAGING FLOODS

GALLERY: NIGHT OF FURY

GALLERY: HUGE FLOOD CLEAN-UP

A wild storm on May 10 and 11 left devastation in its wake as it swept through Hobart and surrounds. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Huonville set a record for its highest autumn total rainfall and Hobart set a record for its highest daily May rainfall – 129.2mm on May 11 which resulted in the severe flooding.

The widespread floods caused about $100 million in insured losses.

The report also revealed Australian temperature extremes over the past three months made this summer the hottest on record.

Port Augusta in South Australia reached a record breaking 49.5C in January, while every state experienced serious bushfires and Townsville broke its 10-day accumulated rainfall total.

More than 200 extreme weather records were broken in 90 days across the nation, the Climate Council says.

“This summer was so hot we witnessed fruit cooking on trees,” Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie said.