Overall December 2006 was the coolest December since 1999 across the Hunter. Average daily maximum temperatures were mostly 1 to 1.5°C below average while the average daily minimum temperatures were up to 2°C below average. Williamtown's average minimum temperature for the month was equal to the coolest for December ever recorded. The daily minimum average was 14.8°C which equalled the record low average set in 1986. The greatest temperature abnormalities were recorded at stations closer to the coast.

The highest temperature recorded in the month was 40.0°C, which was recorded on the 11th at Cessnock (Nulkaba). Most inland stations recorded 2 days above 35°C for the month. On average, inland stations record 4 to 6 days above 35°C for the month of December.

The below average temperatures were a reflection of the prevailing east to southeast winds that blew for most of the month. Typically, east to southeast winds have the greatest effect on localities closer to the coast.

December averages for selected stations

Station	Maximum Temperatures (°C)			Minimum Temperatures (°C)
	Dec 2006	Long term Average	Record Low	Dec 2006	Long Term Average	Record Low
Nobby's Head	23.1	24.9	21.3	17.3	18.0	15.7
Williamtown	26.1	27.2	24.4	14.8	16.5	14.8
Nelson Bay	24.5	26.2	23.5	17.6	16.9	15.1
Tocal (Paterson)	28.2	29.0	26.1	14.9	16.2	13.3
Lostock Dam	27.2	28.8	25.8	14.6	16.1	14.5
Cessnock	29.4	29.4	26.4	15.4	16.1	13.8
Scone	30.1	30.2	26.8	14.6	15.8	13.8
Murrurundi	29.1	29.8	25.9	12.6	13.6	10.7
Gosford	25.7	26.9	24.6	14.6	15.2	13.7

All selected stations have a dataset consisting of at least 20 years of records.

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