Wednesday, 2 November 2005

MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT

Warm October for the ACT

Temperatures reached about two degrees higher than average, with slightly lower than average rainfall across the territory during October this year.

Rainfall: Canberra Airport recorded 61.0 millimetres of rain over 14 days of October, 3.2 mm less than the long-term average. Rainfall was consistent for the month across the ACT, with Corin Dam recording the highest total of 78.9 mm and Wanniassa recording the lowest at 50.2 mm. Total rainfall at the airport so far this year is 545.4 mm, about 40.7 mm more than the long-term average.

There were three thunderstorms recorded at the airport, one storm above average for the month. Hail fell on the northern suburbs on 13 October and on the southern suburbs on 24 October, reportedly reaching up to 2 centimetres in diameter.

Temperature: The mean daily maximum temperature of 20.3 degrees was higher than the long-term mean of 19.2. The mean daily minimum temperature of 8.1 degrees was also higher than the long-term mean of 5.9. The average daily temperature was 14.2 degrees, beating the long-term average of 12.6.

Other: There were only two frosts recorded for the month and one fog day. The mean daily wind run of 199 kilometres a day was just below the average of 216 km/day. There were three strong wind days in October, which was average. The monthly evaporation of 146.4 mm was less than the average of 157.4 mm, while the daily sunshine of 8.4 hours a day was very close to the long-term average of 8.5 hr/day. The mean daily pressure of 1014.6 hectopascals was less than the average of 1015.2 hPa due to the increased incidence of low-pressure areas over the region.

Summary for Canberra airport, October 2005

Mean maximum temperature: 20.3°C (av 19.2°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 25.8°C (3 October)
Lowest maximum temperature: 14.2°C (9 October)
Mean minimum temperature: 8.1°C (av 5.9°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 15.4°C (31 October)
Lowest minimum temperature: 2.9°C (1 October)
Mean daily temperature: 14.2°C (av 12.6°C)
Lowest grass temperature: minus 1.2°C (12 October)
Total monthly rainfall: 61.0 mm (av 64.2 mm)
Total monthly evaporation: 146.4 mm (av 157.4 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 8.4 hr/day (av 8.5 hr/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1014.6 hPa (av 1015.2 hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 199 km/day (av 216 km/day)

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

Ends