Northern Territory in October - hot and largely dry

Summary

The greater part of the Territory experienced above average maximum and minimum temperatures accompanied by below to very much below average rainfall.

October Rainfall

In general terms October was an unremarkable month in terms of rainfall. No records were broken and a significant number of stations reported no rainfall whatsoever for the month. However, a few stations within the Darwin-Daly district received monthly totals exceeding 80mm, most of which was the consequence of two active periods, the first around the middle of the month (Karama, located in Darwin's northern suburbs, reported a daily fall of 56.8mm on the 15th - the Territory's highest 24 hour fall for the month) and the second during the evening of the 29th. During the latter event, wind gusts of up to 98kph (Lee Point) were reported. A middle level trough early in the month, and an active trough associated with a low near Adelaide on the 26th, respectively brought light and scattered falls to the western half of the Alice Springs district.

Rainfall Records

No monthly or daily rainfall records were reported for October.

October Maximum Temperatures

Mean maximum temperatures ranged from near average over the eastern half of the Top End through to 3^oC - 4^oC above average over much of the western half of the Alice Springs district.

Brunette Downs (Barkly district) reported the Territory's highest maximum temperature, 42.6^oC on the 25th, and Kulgera (Alice Springs district) the lowest maximum temperature, 25.3^oC on the 27th. The highest mean maximum temperature was 40.2^oC at Bradshaw AWS (Darwin-Daly district) and the lowest was 31.8^oC at Gove Airport (Arnhem district).

October Minimum Temperatures

Mean minimum temperatures were mostly near average over the northern half increasing to 3^oC - 4^oC above average over small areas of the far southern and southwestern portions of the Alice Springs district.

Yuendumu (Alice Springs district) reported the Territory's lowest minimum temperature, 7.9^oC on the 5th, and Timber Creek (Victoria district) the highest minimum temperature, 30.5^oC on the 29th. The lowest mean minimum temperature was 16.1^oC at Arltunga and Territory Grape Farm (Alice Springs district) and the highest was 25.5^oC at Bradshaw AWS (Darwin-Daly district).

Records

Highest Daily Minimum Temperature (^oC) for October 2004
Station	Record	Date	Previous		Years of record
Station	Record	Date	Record	Date	Years of record
Timber Creek	30.5	29	29.6	22/10/1990	23
McArthur River Mine	29.9	24	29.4	23/10/1987	18
McArthur River Mine	30.3	25	29.9	24/10/2004	19

Highest monthly mean minimum temperature (^oC) for October 2004
Station	Record	Previous		Years of record
Station	Record	Record	Year	Years of record
Kulgera	17.3	16.8	1988	24
Yulara Aero	16.8	16.0	1997	15
Watarrka	19.6	18.8	1998	15

Note

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

Further information

The Daily Weather Observations lists daily temperatures and rainfall, plus many other meteorological variables, at more than 50 locations across the Territory (and over 700 across Australia). Data from the last 13 months are available free from this web site.

Monthly rainfall and temperature maps are also available.

Further information and clarification can be obtained from:
Climate and Consultative Services
Northern Territory Regional Office
Bureau of Meteorology
Phone (08) 8920 3813
Email climate.nt@bom.gov.au