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Tuesday, 2 December 2003
SEASONAL CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE
Stormy weather hits the ACT in spring
The number of thunderstorm days, frost days, strong wind days and sunshine was all above average
in spring in the ACT this year. The number of fogs was well below average, while spring rainfall
and temperatures were close to average.
Rainfall: A total of 177.6 mm of rain was recorded over 31 days at Canberra airport
in spring. This was close to the average of 185.8 mm over 31 days. Rainfall in September and October
was just below average, but just above average in November. Thunderstorm activity was well above average,
with 13 thunderstorm days (average seven). There were five thunderstorm days in September (average one),
six in October (average two) and two in November (average four). Three severe thunderstorms were
recorded on 21 and 25 October and 21 November. There were three days of hail – one day in September
and two days in November (average two days for season).
Temperature: Overall, the mean daily maximum temperature of 19.1 degrees Celsius was marginally
below the long-term average of 19.3 degrees. The mean daily maximum temperature was just above average
in September, well below average in October, and above average in November. There were three days
in November when the maximum temperature was above 30.0 degrees (average two days, both in November).
The mean daily minimum temperature for spring of 6.1 degrees was very close to the long-term average of
6.0 degrees. The mean daily minimum temperature was well above average in September, below average in
October, and close to average in November. There were 28 frosts in spring, well above the average
of 22. There were 14 frosts in September (average 13), 11 in October (average seven), and three in
November (average two). There was only one fog recorded for the season (average eight), in October.
The average daily temperature for the season of 12.6 degrees was average.
Other: The mean daily sunshine for the season was 9.1 hours a day, well above the average of
8.3 hr/day. Sunshine hours was above average in September and November, and marginally above average
in October. It was also windier than normal. There were 15 strong wind days (average 10) and two days
of gales (average zero) in October. The mean daily wind run was 230 kilometres a day, well above the
long-term average of 214.3 km/day. The mean daily wind run was well above average in September, and
just below average in October and November. The strongest wind gust recorded for the season was 89 km/hr
and was associated with a severe thunderstorm on 21 October. The mean daily pressure of 1014.7 hectopascals
was just below the average of 1015.3 hPa. The evaporation of 479.6 mm was above the average of 463.4 mm.
Summary for Canberra airport, spring 2003
Mean maximum temperature: 19.1°C (av 19.3°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 32.7°C (19 November)
Lowest maximum temperature: 10.5°C (14 September)
Mean minimum temperature: 6.1°C (av 6.0°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 18.2°C (21 November)
Lowest minimum temperature: -2.9°C (4 September)
Mean daily temperature: 12.6°C (av 12.6°C)
Lowest grass temperature: -7.1°C (4 September)
Total spring rainfall: 177.6 mm (av 185.8 mm)
Total spring evaporation: 479.6 mm (av 463.4 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 9.1 hr/day (av 8.3 hr/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1014.7 hPa (av 1015.3 hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 230 km/day (av 214.3 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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