Tuesday, 4 April 2006

MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY

March much drier and warmer than average in the ACT

Daytime and night-time temperatures in the ACT were well above average in March this year, while rainfall was well below average.

Temperature: The mean daily minimum temperature in the ACT in March this year was 12.6 degrees Celsius, nearly 2 degrees above the monthly average of 10.7 degrees. The mean daily maximum temperature of 26.9 degrees was well above the average of 24.4. The mean daily temperature for the month was 19.6 degrees, well above the average of 17.5 and the highest since 1986. The temperature reached 30.0 degrees or more on six days compared with the average of three days. The run of five days of 30 degrees or more on 9-13 March was the longest warm spell for the month since 1991.

Rainfall: The rainfall total at Canberra airport for March was 30.8 millimetres over three days, well below the average of 51.6 mm over seven days. March rainfall can be quite variable, and to have a lower-than-average total is not that unusual. More rain fell in the northern and central areas of the ACT than the south. The highest recording was 33.4 mm at Ginninderra and the lowest of 9.4 mm was at Tharwa. There was one thunderstorm day for the month, on 15 March, compared with the average of two days. There was one fog day (average two). One strong wind day (average 0) was recorded, but the wind run for the month - 161 kilometres a day - was less than the average of 167 km/day.

Other: March was sunnier than normal in the ACT, with 8.7 hours a day compared with the average of 8.0 hr/day. The monthly evaporation of 198 mm was well above the average of 171.4 mm, while the mean daily pressure was 1018.2 hectopascals, higher than the average of 1016.5 hPa.

Summary for Canberra airport, March 2006

Mean maximum temperature: 26.9ºC (av 24.4ºC)
Highest maximum temperature: 33.9ºC (12 March)
Lowest maximum temperature: 19.3ºC (30 March)
Mean minimum temperature: 12.3ºC (av 10.7ºC)
Highest minimum temperature: 17.4ºC (12 March)
Lowest minimum temperature: 7.2ºC (17 March)
Mean daily temperature: 19.6ºC (av 17.6ºC)
Lowest grass temperature: 2.0ºC (7 March)
Total monthly rainfall: 30.8 mm (av 51.6 mm)
Total monthly evaporation: 198.0 mm (av 171.4 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 8.7 hr/day (av 8.0 hr/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1018.2 hPa (av 1016.5 hPa)
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 161 km/day (av 167 km/day)

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

Ends