September rains in the ACT near double the average

September rainfall in the ACT this year was nearly double the long term average, and for the first time since February 2002 exceeded 100 millimetres. Daytime and overnight temperatures were also above average for the month.

Rainfall: Rain was recorded on 14 days in September this year compared with the average of 10. The monthly total of 100.6 mm at Canberra Airport was nearly double the average of 52.6 mm. Rainfall across the ACT was generally between 85 and 125 mm, with the higher totals to the north and west. The highest total of 134.4 mm was recorded at Melba and the lowest of 81.0 mm at Kambah. There were three thunderstorm days at the airport, well above the long-term average of one day. There was one day of hail compared with the average of none.

Temperature: September’s mean daily maximum temperature of 16.3 degrees Celsius was just above the long-term average of 16.0 degrees. The mean daily minimum of 4.6 degrees was 1.5 degrees above the average of 3.1. There were 10 frost days for the month, three fewer than normal. The mean monthly temperature of 10.5 degrees was above the average of 9.6.

Other: The mean daily sunshine of 7.0 hours a day was marginally less than the September average of 7.5 hr/day. There was one fog day for the month compared with the average of three, three strong wind days (average), and a mean wind run of 194 kilometres a day compared with the average of 226.6 km/day. The monthly evaporation of 96.8 mm was less than the average of 112.7 mm, while the mean daily pressure of 1016.1 hectopascals was less than the average of 1017.4 hPa.

Summary for Canberra airport, September 2005

Mean maximum temperature: 16.3°C (av 16.0°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 22.9°C (23 September)
Lowest maximum temperature: 10.6°C (12 September)
Mean minimum temperature: 4.6°C (av 3.1°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 11.0°C (25 September)
Lowest minimum temperature: minus 1.4°C (3 September)
Mean daily temperature: 10.5°C (av 9.6°C)
Lowest grass temperature: minus 4.1°C (3 September)
Total monthly rainfall: 100.6 mm (av 52.6 mm)
Total monthly evaporation: 96.8 mm (av 112.7 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 7.0 hr/day (av 7.5 hr/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1016.1 hPa (av 1017.4 hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 194 km/day (av 226.6 km/day)

Further information:
Ken Batt, Canberra Meteorological Office, tel: (02) 6249 6269, e-mail: K.Batt@bom.gov.au

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