Bureau of Meteorology, Darwin, NT, media release, climate

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Friday, 1 October 2004

DRY SEASON CLIMATE SUMMARY - NT REGIONAL OFFICE

Wet start, then cool dry season in NT

Summary

The Dry season of 2004 in general terms exhibited two contrasting characteristics. The first 40 days or so were noted for their unsettled weather with many rainfall records being broken. Unseasonally high humidity and elevated minimum temperatures were commonplace. However, thereafter a constant procession of sub tropical high pressure systems moving through the Great Australian Bight right through to the latter part of September maintained vintage dry season conditions virtually throughout the remainder of the period. Darwin Airport for example recorded 75 minimum temperatures below 20 oC, well above its average of 49 (significantly 7 of these occurred during September, exceeding its previous best effort of 6 set in 1963).

Dry Season Rainfall

Rainfall was very much above average over much of the Top End and the Alice Springs district - most of which was reported during the first five weeks of the season. Elsewhere rainfall was within the order of normal expectations.

Dry Season Maximum Temperatures

Overall maximum temperatures were generally close to average except in some areas within the Alice Springs district where they were 1^oC - 2^oC below average.

Dry Season Minimum Temperatures

Minimum temperatures generally ranged from below to well below average in northern parts (especially around the Katherine area) and were mostly above average in the south.

Records

Highest dry season total rainfall (mm)
Station	Record	Previous		Years of record
Station	Record	Record	Year	Years of record
Alcan Minesite	411.9	396.0	1990	33
Gove Airport	402.4	337.0	1990	26
Lambell's Lagoon	108.6	107.4	1987	16
Karama	185.0	121.4	1987	15
Leanyer	121.2	55.6	1990	14
Gemtree Park	163.4	141.8	1993	14
Channel Point	78.1	56.4	1997	12
Thorak Cemetery	140.8	37.0	1994	10

Note:

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 10 AM on Friday 1st October 2004. Although every effort has been made to check them, it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

Ends

Further information:
Sam Cleland, Manager, Climate and Consultancy Section, NT Regional Office,
tel: (08) 8920 3813, e-mail: climate.nt@BoM.GOV.AU

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