THE Bureau of Meteorology informs us that Canberra Airport recorded its second-wettest September on record during 2016, with several heavy rain events including the second-wettest September day on record on the 2nd.

Daytime temperatures were slightly below average and the coolest in almost 20 years, while a lack of cool nights contributed to the fifth-warmest September minimum temperatures on record for Canberra.

Second-wettest September on record

• Canberra Airport recorded 149.2 mm of rain, the second-wettest September on record behind 150.6 mm in 1978
• Rain was recorded on 14 days, above the historical average of 10 days
• Eight days recorded than 5 mm: more than double the historical average of 3 days and the equal-highest on record with 1962 and 1975
• Canberra Airport recorded 53.6 mm on the 3rd, the second-wettest September day on record (behind 57.8 mm on 17 September 2013)

Rain brings cool days, warm nights

• Daytime temperatures at Canberra Airport were slightly below average but the coldest September since 1992
• The average minimum temperature was 1.5 °C above average, the fifth-warmest September on record and the warmest since 1998
• Only five nights dropped below 2 °C, the equal-fewest on record for Canberra (average is 12 nights)
• Maximum temperature was just 10.5 °C on the 2nd, the coldest September day since 27 September 2009