Monday 22 September 2008

CLIMATE SUMMARY - NT REGIONAL OFFICE

Darwin's Long Dry

On Sunday 21 September, the rain gauge at Darwin Airport had gone 165 days without registering a single rain event. This is the longest spell of rain-free days recorded at Darwin Airport’s official recording site since records began in 1941. The previous longest dry spell was 164 days, from 7 May to 17 October 1976.

The most recent rainfall event recorded at the Darwin site was on 9 April. “While Darwin’s dry season is aptly named, its unusual not to get some rain over the period. In fact, Darwin Airport has never recorded a completely dry dry-season, which runs from 1 May to 30 September. There is still more than a week to go before the official end of the dry season though” said Sam Cleland, Manager of Northern Territory’s Climate Services Centre.

While Darwin missed out on rainfall throughout this period, there were rain events in other parts of the Top End. Over the past week or so, some Darwin suburbs even saw the odd shower. “That is the nature of the Build-up in the Top End. One area will get a cooling shower, while across the street can miss out.”

The previous record occurred in 1976. That year was followed by a torrid build-up, being Darwin’s record lowest September to November rainfall total. “Conditions this year are quite different though, and there is no reason to expect a repeat of that. We are in a neutral phase of the El Niño – La Niña cycle this year, and so there is no reason to expect either a particularly dry or wet Build-up period.” said Mr Cleland. 

 

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 from this web site.

Climate and Consultative Services
Northern Territory Regional Office
Bureau of Meteorology
Phone (08) 8920 3813
Email climate.nt@bom.gov.au