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Friday, 1 March 2002
MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE
Record February rains fall in ACT
The ACT experienced record rainfall in February this year, with Canberra airport recording both a record February total and a record daily total for the month. It also had well below-average day-time temperatures and above-average night-time temperatures.
Temperatures: The mean daily minimum temperature of 13.6 degrees Celsius was 0.7 degrees above the mean of 12.9 degrees. The mean daily maximum temperature of 24.5 degrees was well below the mean of 27.0 degrees. It was the third coldest February on record (record 23.9 degrees in 1992). There was only one day where the temperature reached 30.0 degrees or more (average eight days), with no days being 35.0 degrees or more (average one day). Overall, the mean daily temperature of 19.1 degrees was below the average of 20.0 degrees.
Rainfall: Record rainfall for February was reported at many locations across the ACT. The highest recording was 250.0 millimetres at Ainslie. The lowest was 174.8mm at Torrens. Canberra airport recorded 211.0mm for the month (average 52.9mm), a record for February. The previous record was 148.2mm in 1977. Rain was reported on 12 days of February compared with the average of seven. The period 3-11 February was exceptionally wet. On 5 February at Canberra Airport, the 24-hour total to 9am was 77.8mm, a record for February (previous record 69.4mm in 1974 ). There were seven thunderstorm days for the month (average three). Severe thunderstorms were reported on 2 and 16 February. There were reports of hail on 2 February, while the ACT Emergency Service Bureau reported many calls for assistance on the evening of the 16th.
The average wind run in February of 180.3 kilometres a day was just above the long-term average of 174.8. There were two days of strong winds (average one). Average daily sunshine for the month was 7.6 hours a day, well below the mean of 9.1. It was the lowest value since 1992 and reflected the wetter and cloudier conditions. As would be expected with record rainfall and below-average temperatures and daily sunshine, evaporation was well below average, totalling 160.4mm compared with the average of 196.3. No fogs (average one) or frosts (average none) were reported for February.
Ends
Further information:
Clem Davis, Canberra Meteorological Office, tel: (02) 6249 6269.
Summary for Canberra airport, February 2002
Mean maximum temperature: 24.5 degrees (av 27.0)
Highest maximum temperature: 32.0 degrees (2 February)
Lowest maximum temperature: 15.2 degrees (4 February)
Mean minimum temperature: 13.6 degrees (av 12.9)
Highest minimum temperature: 17.6 degrees (16 February)
Lowest minimum temperature: 7.2 degrees (12 February)
Mean daily temperature: 19.1 degrees (av 20.0)
Lowest grass temperature: 4.0 degrees (12 February)
Total monthly rainfall: 211.0mm (av 52.9) - record
Total monthly evaporation: 160.4mm (av 196.3)
Mean daily sunshine: 7.6 hours a day (av 9.1)
Mean daily pressure: 1012.5 hPa (av 1014.0)
Mean daily wind run (at two metres): 180.3 km/day (av 174.8)
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