SEASONAL CLIMATE SUMMARY - NT REGIONAL OFFICE

Bumper Wet season in north and west of Northern Territory

Most parts of the Northern Territory experienced a bumper Wet season (October to April) this year, particularly the north and west. The exception was the eastern half of the Alice Springs district which had mostly below-average rainfall, perpetuating long-running rainfall deficiencies in that region.

The Katherine region received some of the highest rainfall totals in the Territory. Tindal RAAF Base topped the list with 2196 millimetres - double its average - eclipsing the previous highest of 1405 mm in 1997. Not only did the site beat its own record, but the rainfall total was higher than any Wet season total ever recorded within 100 kilometres of Katherine. Along the way, Tindal's monthly rainfall records were broken in December, February and March. Other stations near Katherine also reported record falls.

In the Roper-McArthur district, Larrimah reported a record total of 1469 mm and the Daly Waters automatic weather station reported a record of 1222 mm. In the Victoria district, Legune reported a record 1760 mm.

The high rainfall totals were helped along by several monsoon lows during the Wet. The onset of the monsoon came about in December when Tropical Cyclone Debbie moved inland from the north coast and tracked over the western Top End. In January, a tropical low brought substantial rainfall to the Top End before traversing across western Queensland. In February, TC Fritz moved from the Gulf of Carpentaria and across the Roper-McArthur region. It was followed in March by TC Evan. In between these events, rain gauges continued to be topped up by persistent showers and storms.

Rainfall totals in the eastern Alice Springs district were, in contrast, near or below average, perpetuating long-term rainfall deficiencies in this region. In the 24-month period ending April this year, Jervois had received just 254 mm of rain, its lowest two-year total since 1968.

Maximum temperatures during the Wet season were generally below average in the high-rainfall areas. Over most of the Alice Springs district though, maximum and minimum temperatures were generally higher than average.

Highest Wet season total rainfall (mm) for 2003-04

Ends

Further information:
Sam Cleland, Manager and Senior Meteorologist, Climate and Consultancy,
Bureau of Meteorology, NT Region. tel: (08) 8920 3813, e-mail: S.Cleland@bom.gov.au