Driest quarter in five years
Figures recorded for the last three months have shown the lowest quarterly rainfall for more than five years, according to local observer Mr Jim Morrison of Woy Woy.
Only 61.2mm has fallen from July to September this year.
The previous driest quarter was the April-June quarter in 2004, when 58mm of rain fell.
Mr Morrison said there had been only two drier quarters than that in the last 20 years.
They were in 1991 and 1989 when quarterly rainfall figures of 22.4mm and 57mm respectively were recorded.
September finished with a total rainfall of only 7.7mm compared to an average of 69.4mm for the month.
This followed a total of just 2.9mm for August, compared to an average of 81.7mm for that month.
The total for the year to date is 927.4mm, compared to an average of 976.5mm.
This is the first time this year that total rainfall for the year has fallen below average.
Spreadsheet, 1 Oct 2009
Jim Morrison, Woy Woy