Wednesday, 19 May 2004

MEDIA RELEASE - NORTHERN TERRITORY REGIONAL OFFICE

Big rains fall over the north-east Top End

Areas about the north and east coasts of the Northern Territory received some big rainfall totals yesterday and overnight.

Gove Airport received 196 millimetres in the 24 hours till 9 am today, its record highest May daily rainfall total and the third highest daily total for any month. Its previous May daily record was 91.4 mm, set on 5 May 1990. The record high monthly May total of 241.8 mm was also set in 1990, but up to 9 am today Gove Airport had already received 379.4 mm this month. The monthly May record will be broken by a substantial amount. The highest daily rainfall ever recorded at Gove Airport was 437 mm on 22 April 1999. Other sites to receive substantial rainfall totals in the previous 24 hours included North East Island (86 mm), Cape Wessel (146 mm) and Groote Eylandt (41 mm).

The high rainfall totals are the result of a trough in the easterly flow, enhanced by an upper atmospheric trough in the vicinity. There is not a low-pressure system in the vicinity, nor is it anticipated that one will form. It is not unusual for the north-east coast to receive reasonable rainfall in May and June, but the totals received in this event are extraordinary.

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