Wednesday, 1 December 2004

SEASONAL CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT

Spring temperatures higher than average in the ACT

Spring rainfall in the ACT this year was just above average, and there were more than average thunderstorms for the season. Both day-time and overnight temperatures were higher than average, while the number of frost and fog days was below average.

Rainfall: A total of 188.6 millimetres of rain was recorded at Canberra Airport over 32 rain days in spring this year, above the average of 180.6 mm over 31 rain days. Rainfall in both September and October was below average, but the November total was well above average. There were 10 thunderstorm days compared with the average of seven, with four thunderstorm days in September (average one), two in October (average two) and four in November (average four). One severe thunderstorm was recorded for spring, on 2 November. There were two days of hail for the season (average two), with one hail day in September and one in November.

Temperature: Spring’s mean daily maximum temperature was 20.2 degrees Celsius this year, higher than the long-term average of 19.3 degrees. The mean daily maximum temperatures in September, October and November were all higher than average. There were six spring days (all in November) when the maximum temperature was higher than 30.0 degrees, compared with the average of two days.

The mean daily minimum temperature for spring was 6.8 degrees, close to the long-term average of 6.0 degrees. Mean daily minimum temperatures in all three months were higher than average.

The average daily temperature for spring was 13.5 degrees, higher than the long-term average of 12.7.

There were 13 frosts for the season, much fewer than the average of 21. A total of 10 frosts was recorded in September (average 13), three in October (average six) and none in November (average two). There were only five fogs in spring compared with the average of eight. They occurred in September and October.

Sunshine: The mean daily sunshine for the season was 8.6 hours a day, a little more than the average of 8.3 hr/day. Sunshine hours were average in September, a little less than average in October, and above average in November.

Wind: Spring was a little windier than average, with nine strong wind days (average nine), and one day of gales (average 0) in October. The mean daily wind run for the season was 217.3 kilometres a day, more than the long-term average of 212.1 km/day. All three months of spring had above-average wind runs. The strongest wind gust for the season was 87 km/h on 27 October.

Pressure: The mean daily pressure of 1017.3 hectopascals was well above the average of 1015.7 hPa. Evaporation was 468.2 mm, just above the average of 464.1 mm.

Summary for Canberra airport, spring 2004

Mean maximum temperature: 20.2°C (av 19.3°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 37.6°C (30 November)
Lowest maximum temperature: 12.3°C (4 September)

Mean minimum temperature: 6.8°C (av 6.0°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 16.4°C (30 November)
Lowest minimum temperature: minus 1.2°C (13 September)

Mean daily temperature: 13.5?C (av 12.7°C)

Lowest grass temperature: minus 5.0°C (13 September)

Total spring rainfall: 188.6 mm (av 180.6 mm)
Total spring evaporation: 468.2 mm (av 464.1 mm)

Mean daily sunshine: 8.6 hr/day (av 8.3 hr/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1017.3 hPa (av 1015.7 hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 217.3 km/day (av 212.1 km/day)

Ends

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