Wednesday, 1 November 2006

MEDIA RELEASE - QUEENSLAND REGIONAL OFFICE

A dry October for most of Queensland

Most of Queensland experienced below average rainfall in October - with some areas receiving record low monthly rainfall. The only exception was the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands district, which in contrast, received above to very much above average rainfall for October.

Record lowest monthly rainfall for October was recorded in parts of the Capricornia, Central Highlands, Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast, Darling Downs, Maranoa and Warrego districts.

Some of the lowest monthly rainfall records included:
Gin Gin Post Office, with 2mm (average 70.9mm, 110 years of record);
Thangool Airport, with 0mm (average 58.6mm, 74 years of record);
Monto Township, with 0.6mm (average 56.6mm, 64 years of record);
Gladstone Radar, with 0.4mm (average 64.5mm, 47 years of record);
Bundaberg Aero, with 2.2mm (average 75.2mm, 49 years of record);
Mount Joseph, with 1.2mm (average 70.9mm, 94 years of record);
Mt Mowbullan, with 7.4mm (average 87.1mm, 37 years of record);
Maroon Dam, with 5mm (average 74.5mm, 32 years of record);
Bell Store, with 1mm (average 60.1mm, 96 years of record);
Passchendaele, with 0.4mm (average 80.1mm, 65 years of record);
Applethorpe, with 2mm (average 75.4mm, 37 years of record);
Injune Post Office, with 0mm (average 47.4mm, 81 years of record);
Oakey Aero, with 3.6mm (average 59.5mm, 36 years of record); and
Namarah, with 0.4mm (average 55mm, 41 years of record).

Showers and rain periods persisted along the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands during much of October. As a result the highest ever daily rainfall for October was recorded at Elphinstone Pocket with 84.2mm on the 18th (previous record 64.5mm, 50 years of record).

Moderate to fresh south easterly winds over the northern and central parts of Queensland, from about Gladstone to the Gulf Country, ensured well below average maximum temperatures for October. Winds over the western and southern parts of Queensland tended to be more northerly, bringing above average maximum temperatures to these parts of the state.

A similar pattern was reflected for the minimum temperatures in all near coastal areas and over the Peninsula. Minimum temperatures in those areas were below average, but the remainder of the state, particularly in the west, were 2 - 3 degrees above average for the month.

For further information, please contact Tamika Tihema on (07)3239 8662.
After-hour enquiries should be directed to the senior forecaster on (07)3239 8750.

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]