Friday 1st April, 2005

MEDIA RELEASE - QUEENSLAND REGIONAL OFFICE

Dry spell continues in Queensland as March rains fail

March rainfall totals were well below average over most of the state, with most of inland Queensland and parts of the central and southern coasts receiving less than 20% of the long-term average, according to Bureau of Meteorology records. The lowest March totals on record were reported at a number of locations including Collinsville (2.6mm, average 97mm, 66 years of record), Brooweena (3mm, average 123mm, 61 years of record) and Archerfield Airport (3.6mm, 129mm, 73 years of record).

The only areas to receive above average totals were on Cape York Peninsula where Tropical Cyclone Ingrid tracked early in the month. Bamaga’s total of 647.4 mm was the highest March total in 33 years of record.

“The disappointing March rainfall follows poor February rain over most of the state” said Jim Davidson, the Bureau’s Queensland Regional Director. Parts of tropical Queensland received the lowest two-month total on record for February and March. These include Bowen which received just 11.5 mm for this period against a long-term average of 269mm, Mackay with 107.6 mm (average 561 mm), Proserpine with 99.4mm (average 478mm), Ingham 326.8mm (average 801mm), Townsville with 42.4mm (average 479mm) and Charters Towers with 16.4mm (average 226mm).

In the south of the state, the dry conditions have extend over the past 3 months. Dalby’s total of 27.2mm for the first 3 months of the year is the lowest on record for this period, and just 12% of the long-term average of 226mm. Other locations with the driest start to the year on record include Brisbane Airport with 125.8 (average 451mm), Southport 129.4mm (average 564mm) and Thargomindah which has recorded just 0.4mm since the start of the year (average 107mm).

“The lack of rainfall was due in part to the monsoon and cyclone activity being restricted to the far northern tropics this season”, said Mr Davidson. “Another source of rainfall at this time of year is the showers and thunderstorms which frequently develop near the trough over inland Queensland. The incidence of thunderstorms has been below average leading to rainfall deficits in many western, central and southern areas.”

Mr Davidson said that “while late wet-season rainfall can occur during April, we are now looking at the transition into the dry season over the next couple of months. It will require a burst of late wet-season activity or unseasonal rainfall to make up for such large rainfall deficits at this time of year. While significant rainfall events can occur during the Autumn and winter months, the chances of this happening on a large scale are rather slim.”

Rainfall totals for a selection of locations appear in the tables below.

For further information, please contact Ann Farrell on (07)32398660.
After-hour enquiries should be directed to the senior forecaster on (07)32398750.

The latest temperature/rainfall maps and seasonal outlooks for Queensland are available at
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/austmaps/
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/

World Wide Web www.bom.gov.au
Weather by Fax 1800 630 100 [Free Call Directory]

March 2005 rainfall totals for selected locations*

3 month rainfall totals for January to March 2005*