Climate of the Brunswick Valley

The climate in the Brunswick catchment is warm sub-tropical. Historically it has had heavy summer rainfall and dry winter/spring, but this pattern appears to be changing with a noticeable lessening of the rainfall and much drier summers over the last thirty years or so. 

Based on the 100 year precipitation records annual rainfall averages are 1,868 mm at Cape Byron, 1,856 mm at Newrybar, 1,880 mm at Bangalow, 1,773 mm at Mullumbimby, 1,763 mm at Federal and 1,429 mm at Dunoon. 

Temperatures in the Shire are reasonably consistent with a mean annual maximum of 25°C and mean annual minimum of 12°C.

The mean maximum temperature recorded at Cape Byron in July is 19.3°C and in January 27.5°C. The mean minimum temperature recorded at Cape Byron in July is 11.5°C and 20.8°C in January.

Australia and the globe are experiencing rapid climate change.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, since the middle of the 20th century, Australian temperatures have, on average, risen by about 1°C with an increase in the frequency of heatwaves and a decrease in the numbers of frosts and cold days.

Rainfall patterns have also changed - the north-west has seen an increase in rainfall over the last 50 years while much of eastern Australia and the far south-west have experienced a decline.

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