SEASONAL CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE

ACT endured a 'top-10' hot summer in 2003-04

Summer 2003-04 in the ACT was the eighth warmest on record, with higher-than-average temperatures in all summer months. Rainfall was slightly less than average for the season.

Temperature: The mean summer maximum temperature in the ACT was 28.9 degrees Celsius, considerably higher than the long-term average of 26.9. Average maximum temperatures were much higher than average in December and February and higher than average in January. The temperature reached 30.0 degrees or more on 39 days compared with the average of 25 days - the seventh highest summer figure on record. The record is 51 days, set in 1991. The temperature reached 35.0 degrees or more on 12 days compared with the average of four - the equal fourth highest total on record. The record is 14 days, set in 1947, 1973 and 1981. February was particularly hot, with eight days when temperatures reached 35.0 degrees or more, setting a new record for the month. There were also 15 days in February when the temperature reached 30.0 degrees or more. The highest temperature in summer was 38.7 degrees on 14 February, the third highest February temperature on record.

The mean minimum summer temperature was 13.8 degrees, much higher than the average of 12.4. All months had above-average mean minimum temperature. There were no frosts, which is the norm. The coldest summer day was 24 February, when 16.2 degrees was recorded.

The average temperature for summer was 21.3 degrees, much higher than the long-term mean of 19.6. Summer 2003-04 was the eighth warmest on record. The record is 21.9 degrees, set in 1991.

Rainfall: A total of 157.6 mm of rain was recorded at Canberra airport during summer, falling over 22 days. Average summer rainfall is 168.3 mm over 23 days. The 84.6 mm of rain that fell over nine days in December was well above average, the 48.8 mm that fell over six days in January was below average, and the 21.4 mm that fell over six days in February was well below average. The heaviest summer rain was 30.0 mm that fell in the 24 hours to 9am on 3 December. There were 15 days of thunderstorms for the season compared with the average of 11. There were five days of thunderstorms in December, seven days in January and three days in February. Hail was only recorded on the evening of 2 December. Summer rainfall totals across the ACT varied due to the localised nature of the thunderstorms.

Other: The average summer sunshine of 9.6 hours a day was slightly more than the long-term average of 9.3. There was more than average sunshine in January and February but slightly less than average in December. The average wind run was 185.5 kilometres a day, less than the long-term average of 191.4. There were seven days of strong winds compared with the average of five. There was one day of strong winds in both December and February, and five days in January. Total evaporation of 702.2 mm was slightly more than the long-term average of 700.4 mm. There was one fog in summer (average three), while the mean pressure of 1011.0 hectopascals was less than the average of 1012.5.

Summary for Canberra airport, summer 2003-04

Mean maximum temperature: 28.9°C (av 26.9°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 38.7°C (14 February)
Lowest maximum temperature: 16.2°C (24 February)
Mean minimum temperature: 13.6°C (av 12.4°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 19.8°C (11 February)
Lowest minimum temperature: 6.7°C (7 December)
Mean daily temperature: 21.3°C (av 19.6°C)
Lowest grass temperature: 2.2°C (7 December)
Total summer rainfall: 157.6 mm (av 167.9 mm)
Total summer evaporation: 702.2 mm (av 700.4 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 9.6 hr/day (av 9.2 hr/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1011.0 hPa (av 1012.5 hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 185.5 km/day (av 191.5 km/day)

Ends

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