Biodiversity Strategy - Gosford City Council - NSW Government

A - 4.5
Climate
Generally the climate of the LGA is mild in the coastal areas and slightly cooler in the plateau
areas and valley areas. Climatic data has been obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology
website. (http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/). Mean maximum and minimum
temperatures are shown from three weather stations Kulnura, Peats Ridge and Gosford
(Horticultural Station) in Figure 2.4. The lowest mean daily average for Gosford was 4.5 0C and
the highest mean daily average was 27.5 0C. Highest median monthly rainfall generally occurs
in February and March and the lowest in July, August and September months. It is noted that
this data was collected for Kulnura between 1951 to 1981, for Peats Ridge for 1981 to 2004 and
for Gosford for 1916 to 2004.
Prevailing winds are generally from the west and local topographical features will impact on
rainfall and evaporation. For example the Katandra, Avoca and Bouddi hills have a NNE to
SSW aspect and receive higher rainfall as they face the south-easterlies that bring coastal
rainfall (Fisher 1997). Valley areas provide more shaded aspects with cool air drainage resulting
in different vegetation communities such as the moist rainforest communities in the Matcham
Holgate areas.
Figure 4.4. Mean daily average maximum and minimum temperatures. Source: Commonwealth Bureau
of Meteorology at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/.
Biodiversity - Technical Report Page 88