Wednesday, 1 December 2004

MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT

A warm and wet November in the ACT

Rainfall was well above average in the ACT in November this year. Maximum and minimum temperatures were also above average, and it was much windier than average.

Rainfall: Canberra Airport recorded 85.6 millimetres of rain over 10 days in November, well above the average of 63.4 mm. Most rain fell in the first half of the month, with the heaviest fall of 34.0 mm on 12 November. There was a severe thunderstorm on 2 November, with hail up to 4 cm in diameter reported in parts of Woden Valley and Tuggeranong. Hail damage and local flash flooding was also reported. At Curtin, 44.5 mm of rain was recorded in one hour, a 1 in 50-year event. Rainfall was variable across the territory, with some stations reporting falls of more than 100 mm. The highest total of 135.9 mm was recorded at Corin Dam. The lowest of 61.2 mm was reported at Tharwa. There were four thunderstorm days for the month (average three), and hail was recorded at the airport on just one occasion (average one day).

Temperature: The mean daily maximum temperature of 23.4 degrees Celsius was above the long-term average of 22.5 degrees. The mean daily minimum temperature of 9.3 degrees was just above the long-term average of 8.5 degrees. No frosts were recorded in November (average two). There were six days when the maximum temperature exceeded 30.0 degrees (average two). While the overall average maximum temperature was above average, there were several periods of quite cool conditions, particularly on 3 and 13 November when the maximum temperatures were only around 17 to 15 degrees respectively. The mean daily temperature for November was 16.3 degrees, above the long-term value of 15.5 degrees.

Other: The mean daily sunshine of 9.9 hours a day in November was well above the average of 8.9 hr/day. The monthly evaporation of 203.4 mm was also above the long-term average of 193.6 mm. It was much windier than normal, with a mean daily wind run of 231 kilometres a day compared with the long-term average of 206 km/day. There were five days when strong winds were recorded (average two days).

Summary for Canberra airport, November 2004

Total monthly rainfall: 85.6 mm (av 63.4 mm)

Mean maximum temperature: 23.4°C (av 22.5°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 37.6°C (30 November)
Lowest maximum temperature: 15.2°C (13 November)
Mean minimum temperature: 9.3°C (av 8.5°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 16.4°C (30 November)
Lowest minimum temperature: 2.2°C (4 November)
Mean daily temperature: 16.3°C (av 15.5°C)
Lowest grass temperature: minus 0.5°C (4 November)

Total monthly evaporation: 203.4 mm (av 193.6 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 9.9 hr/day (av 8.9 hr/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1014.9 hPa (av 1013.1 hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 231.0 km/day (av 206 km/day)

Ends

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