Thursday 2nd June, 2005

MEDIA RELEASE - QUEENSLAND REGIONAL OFFICE

Autumn brings little respite from dry conditions in Queensland

Autumn rainfall totals were below average over most of Queensland, with many areas receiving significantly lower than average totals according to Bureau of Meteorology figures.

Rainfall totals of less than a fifth of the average were reported over western and many southern parts of the state. Record low autumn rainfall was reported from Oakey with 21mm compared to an average of 124mm, Hinze Dam with 83.6mm (average 417mm), Ayr 21.4mm (average 243mm) and Mount Isa with just 1.2mm (average 89mm).

For the southwest of the state, this follows very poor rainfall since the start of the year. Thargomindah has recorded just 2.2mm for the first five months of the year. For the same period Birdsville recorded 10.6mm and Windorah 15.5mm.

There were some exceptions to the dry conditions. Autumn rainfall was close to average on the Sunshine Coast and in parts of the far northern tropics. During May, an upper trough system brought rain to parts of the Maranoa, East Warrego and Central Highlands, with some locally heavy falls. While this system brought significant rain to some, nearby areas in much need of rain missed out.

Warmer than average daytime temperatures accompanied the dry conditions. This was especially so in the southwest where autumn maximum temperatures averaged more than 3 degrees above normal. Overnight minima were warmer in the west and southwest, although cooler than average nights were recorded in the southeast and tropics.

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]