|
Tuesday, 3 June 2003
SEASONAL CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE
Autumn was warm and dry in the ACT
Autumn 2003 in the ACT was considerably drier than normal, with above-average
day-time and night-time temperatures.
Rainfall: At Canberra airport, only 88.4 millimetres of rain was recorded
in autumn, compared with the long-term average of 149.1 mm. This puts autumn 2003
into the lowest 30 per cent level for autumn rainfall. While rainfall in March was
just above average, April and May rainfall totals were considerably below average.
Only 30 mm was recorded for this two-month period. There were 25 rain days
(average 22 days) for the season. Thunderstorm activity was well above average,
with nine days in which thunder was reported (average four days). These all
occurred in March (a March record). Canberra airport recorded a severe
thunderstorm and hail on the evening of 14 March.
Temperature: The average daily maximum temperature for autumn of
20.4 degrees Celsius was just above the long-term average 19.9 degrees.
The average daily minimum temperature of 7.3 degrees was also just above
the long-term average of 7.0 degrees. Both maximum and minimum temperatures
in April and May were above average, while it was just below average for March.
The average daily temperature of 13.9 degrees for the three months
was above the long-term average of 13.5 degrees.
Sunshine: Average daily sunshine for the season was 7.2 hours
a day, just above the average of 6.9 hours. March and May had
above-average sunshine, while April had below-average sunshine.
Frost: The first frost of the year occurred on 2 March
(the median date for the first frost is 8 April), and there were
22 frosts in autumn, two above average. May had 15 frosts
(average 14), though many were only light. April had four frosts (average five)
and March had two frosts (average zero).
Wind: Wind run in autumn was 156.3 kilometres a day, close to the average
of 154.6 km/day. There was one day of strong winds (average three days).
No strong wind days were recorded in April or May.
Fogs: There were only nine fogs in autumn, well below the average
of 13. This was due to the drier conditions, particularly in April and May.
There were two fogs in March (average two), two in April (average four) and
five in May (average seven).
Evaporation: Evaporation of 325.0 mm for the season was below the average
of 346.0 mm.
Pressure: The average daily pressure of 1020.3 hectopascals
was above the mean of 1019.3 hPa. Pressures in April and May were
considerably above average, reflecting the dominance of high-pressure systems
over the region.
Summary for Canberra airport, autumn 2003
Mean maximum temperature: 20.4°C (av 19.9°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 28.3°C (13 March)
Lowest maximum temperature: 12.5°C (20 May)
Mean minimum temperature: 7.3°C (av 7.0°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 14.5°C (28 March)
Lowest minimum temperature: minus 4.7°C (31 May)
Mean daily temperature: 13.7°C (av 13.5°C)
Lowest grass temperature: minus 8.3°C (31 May)
Total autumn rainfall: 88.4 mm (av 149.1 mm)
Total autumn evaporation: 325.0 mm (av 346.03 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 7.2 hours/day (av 6.9 hours/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1020.3 hPa (1019.3 hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 156.3 km/day (av 154.6 km/day)
Ends
Further information:
Clem Davis, Canberra Meteorological Office, tel: (02) 6249 6269, e-mail: c.davis@bom.gov.au
| 
