MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE

ACT sweltered in February as temperature records tumbled

Temperatures were much higher than average in the ACT in February this year when a new record hot spell was set - eight days of 35.0 degrees Celsius or more. Rainfall was significantly less than average for the month.

Temperature: The ACT's mean minimum temperature in February of 13.8 degrees was 0.8 degrees higher than the mean of 13.0. The mean maximum temperature of 30.6 degrees was considerably higher than the mean of 27.0 and was the third highest February figure on record. The record is 32.0 degrees, set in 1968. There were 15 days when the temperature reached 30.0 degrees or more - the average is eight. There were eight days when the temperature reached 35.0 degrees or more - the average is one - setting a new record for February. The previous record was seven days in 1968. There were also two occasions in February when the maximum temperature reached 35.0 degrees or more on three or more successive days. This is the only time this has happened twice in the same year. The maximum temperature of 38.7 degrees on the 14th was the equal third highest on record for the ACT in February, and the hottest February day for 25 years. The mean daily temperature was 22.2 degrees - much higher than the average of 20.0 - the sixth highest on record for February.

Rainfall: There was 21.4 millimetres of rain at Canberra airport over seven days in February, much less than the average of 56.1 mm over seven days. There were three days of thunderstorms for the month, which is average. Rainfall across the ACT varied from 34.4 mm at Tidbinbilla to 11.6 mm at Lanyon. Most totals were 20 to 30 mm.

Other: Wind in February was close to average, with a daily wind run of 176 kilometres a day compared with the average of 174. There was one day of strong winds, which was average. The average daily sunshine for the month was 9.5 hours a day compared with the average of 9.0. Evaporation for February was 218.4 mm, more than the average of 202. No fogs (average one) or frosts (average zero) were reported, while the mean daily pressure of 1011.0 hectopascals was less than the average of 1013.9 hPa.

Summary for Canberra airport, February 2004

Mean maximum temperature: 30.6°C (av 27.0°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 38.7°C (14 February)
Lowest maximum temperature: 16.2°C (24 February)
Mean minimum temperature: 13.8°C (av 12.9°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 19.8°C (11 February)
Lowest minimum temperature: 7.2°C (27 February)
Mean daily temperature: 22.2°C (20.0°C)
Lowest grass temperature: 4.0°C (1 February)
Total monthly rainfall: 21.4 mm (av 52.9 mm)
Total monthly evaporation: 218.4 mm (av 202 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 9.5 hours/day (av 9.0 h/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1011.0 hPa (av 1013.9 hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 176 km/day (av 174 km/day)

February records: Eight days of 35.0°C or higher. Previous record seven days, in 1968.

Ends

Further information:
Clem Davis, Canberra Meteorological Office, tel: (02) 6249 6269, e-mail: c.davis@bom.gov.au