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Wednesday, 5 November 2003
MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE
ACT experiences a cool October with average rainfall
October 2003 in the ACT was cooler than normal, while rainfall was close to average.
Rainfall: Rain was recorded on 11 days in the ACT in October compared with the average
of 10 days. The month's rainfall of 59.6 millimetres at Canberra Airport was only
4.9 mm less than the long-term average of 64.5 mm. There were six thunderstorms recorded
at the airport, which is well above the average of two. Two severe thunderstorms occurred.
A thunderstorm on 21 October produced a wind gust of 89 km/h at Canberra Airport,
while a gust of 87 km/h was recorded on the 25th. Damage was reported from the Gungahlin
to Dickson areas, and a funnel cloud was observed in Queanbeyan.
Temperature: The mean daily maximum temperature of 17.5 degrees Celsius in October
was less than the long-term average of 19.2 degrees, making October 2003 the coldest October
since 1986 when the average was 17.0 degrees. The mean daily minimum temperature of 5.4 degrees
was also below the October average of 6.0 degrees. There were 11 frosts recorded compared
with the October average of seven. One fog was recorded for the month compared with the average
of three. The average daily temperature for October was 11.5 degrees, which was less than the
long-term average of 12.6 degrees.
Other: Wind conditions were above average in October, with six strong wind days
(average three) and two days of gale force winds (average zero). The mean daily wind run of
203 km/day was less than the average of 210 km/day. The monthly evaporation of
139.2 mm was 18.8 mm less than average. On average, there were 8.6 hours of sunshine
a day, which is close to the long-term average of 8.5 hrs/day. The mean daily pressure of
1013.2 hectopascals was less than the average of 1015.2 hPa.
Summary for Canberra airport, October 2003
Mean maximum temperature: 17.5°C (av 19.2°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 24.0°C (18 October)
Lowest maximum temperature: 13.0°C (11 October)
Mean minimum temperature: 5.4°C (av 6.0°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 10.8°C (16 October)
Lowest minimum temperature: 0.0°C (12 October)
Mean daily temperature: 11.5°C (av 12.6°C)
Lowest grass temperature: - 4.7°C (12 October)
Total monthly rainfall: 59.6 mm (av 64.5 mm)
Total monthly evaporation: 139.2 mm (av 158 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 8.6 hrs/day (av 8.5 hrs/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1013.2 hPa (av 1015.2 hPa)
Mean daily windrun (at 2 metres): 203 km/day (av 210 km/day)
Ends
Further information:
Clem Davis, Canberra Meteorological Office, tel: (02) 6249 6269, e-mail: c.davis@bom.gov.au
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