MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT

Record winds and low rainfall in ACT in June

The ACT was extremely dry and windy in June this year, continuing the dry stretch in Canberra that started at the beginning of the year. Daily maximum and minimum temperatures were also above average.

Rainfall: Only 11.2 millimetres of rain was recorded over eight days at Canberra airport in June, considerably below the average of 39.7 mm over nine days. This year's January-to-June rainfall total at the airport is the second lowest on record. The lowest is 47 mm in 1965. This year's February-to-June rainfall total of 46.0 mm is the equal lowest on record. The March-to-June rainfall total of 24.6 mm and the April-to-June total of 20.2 mm are the lowest on record. Rainfall distribution across the ACT in June this year was varied, reflecting the prevalent westerly winds during the month and the rain shadow effect on Canberra of the Brindabella Ranges. The highest rainfall totals were at Corin Dam (98.6 mm) and Tidbinbilla (47.6 mm). The lowest was 11.2 mm at Canberra airport. There were no thunderstorms recorded at the airport for the month.

Temperature: The mean daily maximum temperature for June was 13.1 degrees Celsius, well above the average of 12.1 degrees. The mean daily minimum temperature of 2.2 degrees was also well above the average of 0.9. Overall, the mean daily temperature was 7.7 degrees, well above the average of 6.5. Mean daily sunshine for June was 6.3 hours a day, well above the average of 5.2 hr/day. There were 14 frosts (average 18) and two fogs (average eight) for the month.

Wind: It was considerably windier than normal in the ACT in June, with six days of strong winds (average two), the highest number of June strong wind days since 1967. The average daily wind run at two metres was 270 kilometres a day (average 158 km/day), the highest total on record for June. The previous record was 230.3 km/day in 2002. Wind run has been recorded since 1968.

Other: Evaporation in June was 62.0 mm, well above the average of 47.0 mm. The average daily pressure of 1020.4 hectopascals was just below the long-term average of 1021.1 hPa.

Summary for Canberra airport, June 2004

Mean maximum temperature: 13.1°C (av 12.2°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 17.8°C (9 June)
Lowest maximum temperature: 8.4°C (19 June)
Mean minimum temperature: 2.2°C (av 0.9°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 8.7°C (3 June)
Lowest minimum temperature: minus 5.7°C (6 June)
Mean daily temperature: 7.7°C (av 6.5°C)
Lowest grass temperature: minus 10.0°C (6 June)
Total monthly rainfall: 11.2 mm (av 39.7 mm)
Total monthly evaporation: 62.0 mm (av 47.0 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 6.3 hr/day (av 5.2 hr/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1020.4 hPa (av 1021.2 hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 270 km/day (av 158 km/day) * new record

New records, June 2004

New June record for mean daily wind run at 2 metres. The previous record was 230.6 km/day in 2002.

Ends

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