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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 1oC - 2oC 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 |
| Record |
Year |
| 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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