Tuesday, 1 February 2005

MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT

ACT records a hotter than average January

Temperatures were above average in the ACT in January this year, while rainfall was close to average.

Temperature: The mean daily maximum temperature of 29.1 degrees Celsius at Canberra Airport in January was 1.3°C above the long-term average of 27.8. Maximum temperatures reached 30.0°C or more on 17 days (average 10 days), while temperatures were 35.0°C or more on four days - 12 to 15 January - compared with the average of two days. The maximum of 39.4°C on 14 January was the ninth highest temperature recorded in January at the airport. The highest on record is 41.4°C on 31 January 1968. The mean daily minimum temperature of 13.9°C was also above the long-term average of 13.0°C. The mean daily temperature of 21.5°C (the average of daily maximum and minimum temperatures) was well above the average of 20.4°C. The mean daily sunshine of 10.2 hours a day was also well above the average of 9.3 hr/day.

Rainfall: A total of 57.2 mm of rain fell at Canberra Airport in January, which was close to the average of 60.0 mm. Rain fell on four days compared with the average of eight days. There were two thunderstorm days for the month (average four) and one day of hail (average none). On the two thunderstorm days (4 and 20 January), severe thunderstorm activity was reported in many parts of the ACT. There was strong wind gusts and heavy rain on the 4th and heavy rain and large hail on the 20th. Rainfall across the territory was quite variable due to the local nature of the thunderstorm activity. The lowest rainfall total was at Stromlo Forestry (31.6 mm), while the highest was at Ainslie (85.8 mm).

Other: The average 24-hour wind run at two metres in January was 203 kilometres a day, which was very close to the average of 200 km/day. There were two days of strong winds (average one day) and one day of gales on the 4th (average none). The monthly evaporation of 265.2 mm was above the average of 251.4 mm. There were no fogs for the month (average one) and no frosts (average none). The average daily pressure of 1012.1 hectopascals was close the January mean of 1012.3 hPa.

Summary for Canberra airport, January 2005

Mean maximum temperature: 29.1°C (av 27.8°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 39.4°C (14 January)
Lowest maximum temperature: 21.9°C (5 January)
Mean minimum temperature: 13.9°C (av 13.0°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 18.5°C (24 January)
Lowest minimum temperature: 8.1°C (10 January)
Mean daily temperature: 21.5°C (av 20.4°C)
Lowest grass temperature: 4.0°C (7 January)
Total monthly rainfall: 57.2mm (av 60.0mm)
Total monthly evaporation: 265.2mm (av 251.8 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 10.2 hrs/day: (av 9.3 hr/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1012.1 hPa (av 1012.3 hPa)
Mean daily windrun (at 2 metres): 203 km/day (av 200 km/day)

Ends

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