Thursday 1 December 2005

MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT

Wet, warm November in the ACT

Rainfall was above average in Canberra and the ACT in November this year, while temperatures were generally mild.

Rainfall: A total of 83.4 millimetres of rain was recorded at Canberra Airport over 12 days in November this year, almost 20 mm above the long-term average of 63.8 mm over 10 days. Across the region, totals ranged from 61.6 mm at Lanyon to 104.8 mm at Ginninderra. The highest daily total at Canberra Airport was 43.8 mm, which fell in the 24 hours to 9am on Tuesday 8 November. The precipitation was associated with thunderstorm activity the previous night. A severe thunderstorm late on Saturday 26 November brought heavy rain and hail to some northern suburbs of Canberra. Melba recorded 31.8 mm in the corresponding 24 hours, but there was only 3.6 mm at the airport. Thunderstorms were reported on five days in November (compared with the average of four days), while hail was reported on three (the average is one day).

Temperature: The mean daily maximum temperature of 22.8 degrees Celsius was close to the long-term average of 22.5, though there was a prolonged spell of warm days at the start of the month and a number of cold days at the end. No particularly warm days (over 30 degrees) were recorded in November, compared with the average of two days. The highest temperature was 28.5 degrees on Tuesday 22 November. Temperatures were above average on the first 10 days of the month; an usually long spell of warm days and nights. The lowest maximum temperature in November was 15.4 degrees on Tuesday 29 November.
The mean daily minimum temperature of 10.8 degrees was well above the long-term average of 8.6 but was well below the record high of 11.6 set in 2000. No frosts were reported at Canberra airport compared with the long-term average of two nights. The lowest temperature was 3.7 degrees on Wednesday 16 November. The highest minimum was 15.6 degrees on Tuesday 1 November.
Overall, the mean daily temperature for November was 16.8 degrees compared with the long-term average of 15.6.

Other: The mean relative humidity (recorded at 3pm) was about 51 per cent, somewhat above the average of 42 per cent for November.
The mean daily wind run (at 2 metres), a measure of average wind strength, was 204 kilometres compared with the long-term average 206 km. Strong winds were reported on three days compared with the average of two.
The average hours of sunshine in November was 8.5 hours a day, slightly less than the long-term average of 8.9.
Evaporation totalled 166.6 mm, much less than the long-term average of 193.9 mm, probably due to the higher humidity and less-than-average sunshine.
There were no fogs reported in November compared with the average of one.
The mean atmospheric pressure (average of 9am and 3pm values) was 1014.9 hectopascals, much greater than the long-term average of 1013.1 hPa.

Summary for Canberra airport, November 2005

Mean maximum temperature: 22.8°C (av 22.5°C)
Highest maximum temperature: 28.5°C (22 November)
Lowest maximum temperature: 15.4°C (29 November)
Mean minimum temperature: 10.8°C (av 8.6°C)
Highest minimum temperature: 15.6°C (1 November)
Lowest minimum temperature: 3.7°C (16 November)
Mean daily temperature: 16.8°C (av 15.6°C)
Lowest grass temperature: 0.2°C (12 November)
Total monthly rainfall: 83.4 mm (av 63.6 mm)
Total monthly evaporation: 166.6 mm (av 193.9 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 8.5 hours/day (av 8.9 hr/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1014.9 hPa (av 1013.1 hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 204 km/day (av 206 km/day)

Further information:
Ewan Mitchell, Canberra Meteorological Office, tel: (02) 6249 6269, e-mail: ewanm@bom.gov.au

Ends