Thursday, 3 January 2012 -  Climate Summary for Northern Territory - Product code IDCKGC32R0

Northern Territory in 2012: Hot days, cool nights and dry.

• A dry start with a sluggish North Australian Monsoon
• A dry and cool winter for the south
• Cool nights but a hot and humid build up in the north

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

A dry monsoon season for the Top End

Amid a La Niña year, the start of 2012 was one of the driest on record. Many stations across the Top End were nearly 200 mm below the long-term monthly average by 20 January. However, an active monsoon burst halfway through January brought totals up to average. The dry conditions seen in early January quickly returned and persisted throughout most of February with most stations north of Alice Springs receiving well below their average rainfall.

A cool dry season

The 2012 dry season (May to September) was exceptionally cool in the Top End and very dry across the southern NT. A strong sub-tropical ridge was the dominant climate driver throughout the season, blocking troughs and cold fronts from reaching the southern NT. These high pressure systems also pushed cool and dry air into the Territory allowing for cool days and cold nights and several minimum temperature records were set. Widespread fog patches were recorded during the dry season, especially along the northern coastal areas in the Top End with the Darwin Airport registering 21 days of fog in total. Darwin Airport recorded 85 nights in which temperatures dropped below the 20 °C mark. This is far below the record set by the previous dry season in 2011 of 94 nights, but well above the mean, which is 51.

Bushfires in the Northern Territory

After two wet years in a row, high fuel load had accumulated, and combined with dry and gusty southeasterly winds raised the fire danger index (FDI) across the Territory during the dry months. Fire danger was also raised through the passage of shallow weak troughs propagating eastwards across the southern Northern Territory during these months. There were 3 events in which the FDI reached "extreme" in the NT.

Significant fires were reported in every month of the dry season, with the months of August and September particularly bad in the Top End and throughout the red centre. A total of 52 fire ban days were issued by fire authorities during the season for various Fire Protection Zones across the Territory.

Rainfall

Averaged as a whole, the Northern Territory recorded an average rainfall of 515.7 mm, slightly below the historical average of 540.2 mm. This value is well below the previous two years in which the area average rainfall for the Territory surpassed the 900 mm mark due to the effect of two consecutive La Niñas. This is the driest year since 2005 and the 5th driest in the last two decades. Across the north, the wet season was a typical wet season, with long dry periods interspersed by short but very wet, bursts. Across the south, there was a lack of rain bearing systems during the winter months which led to 157 consecutive days without rain at Alice Springs Airport, their longest dry spell on record. Although many stations received over two metres of rain in the previous two years and three even exceeded three metres, only one station in the Northern Territory managed to break through the two metres mark this year, Labelle Downs with 2098.9 mm up to November 30th.

The eastern Top End was exceptionally dry this year with Warruwi, Groote Eylandt Airport and Alyangula all recording their driest year on record. With 341.8 mm of rain, Warruwi only received 32% of their annual rainfall, which usually exceeds the one metre of rainfall in a year. Gove Airport finished the year with only 1001.6 mm, making 2012 the third driest year on record, far below the average rainfall of 1456.1 mm.

There was a different story for Darwin, where it was felt to be drier than average. However, the long dry periods were interspersed by short but very wet outbursts which brought the total to 1723.2 mm, which is near the long term average of 1729.3. Further south, Alice Springs Airport received 209.4 mm, 74% of their annual rainfall.

Temperature

The average temperature (minimum and maximum together) for the Northern Territory was 0.3 °C below average. This was driven by exceptional cool nights experienced throughout the year Territory-wide. 2011 was cooler, however, with both days and nights below average.

Daytime temperatures were generally up to a degree warmer than average, associated with the lack of cloud cover this year in the far north and far south. The area average maximum temperature for the Northern Territory was 32.1 °C, which is 0.2 °C above the norm. This year had the warmest days on average since 2009, just before the two consecutive La Niñas. Darwin Airport’s mean daytime temperature was 32.3 °C, just 0.3 degrees above the norm, making it the 16th warmest. The warmest on record was 32.9 in 1998, a year with the strongest El Niño of the 20th century. Further south, Alice Springs had a mean daytime temperature of 29.6 °C, 0.9 °C above the norm and its 12th warmest year on record. The exception to this was central parts of the Northern Territory where some stations recorded average daytime temperatures up to a degree below the norm. Elliot had a mean daytime temperature of 33.5 °C, 1.1 °C below the norm, and its 4th coolest year since 1981.

Territory wide, night-time temperatures were generally cooler than average, up to 2.5 degrees below the norm in the central region of the NT. The exceptions to this were some areas in the southeastern Alice Springs and Coburg Peninsula regions, where night-time temperatures were slightly above the norm. The area averaged minimum temperature for the Northern Territory was 17.7 °C, which is 0.8 °C below the norm and the 11th coolest yearly night-time temperatures on record. Darwin Airport, with a mean minimum of 22.5 °C, was 0.7 °C below the norm, the 8th coolest year since records began in the early 1940s. Nights in the Darwin rural areas were a bit cooler at 19.6 °C, 1 °C below the norm and the second coolest since records began in 2002. Across the south, Alice Springs registered a mean night-time temperature of 11.4 °C, 1.1 °C below the norm and 8th coolest on record. Yulara, with a mean night-time temperature of 12.9 °C (1.1 °C below the norm) had its 3rd coolest minimums on average since records began in 1985.

Wind

The strongest wind gust anywhere in the NT this month was at Tennant Creek Airport with 117 km/h from a thunderstorm on January 23rd. These ties the record for strongest wind gust ever recorded at Tennant Creek Airport. The record of a 117 km/h wind gust, originally set on 15 January 1986, was also experienced on 4 January 2004.

The second strongest wind gust was at Cape Wessel with 100 km/h on 17 March and then by Alice Springs Airport with 96 km/h on 7 January.

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Extremes in 2012
Hottest day	45.3 °C at Walungurru on 24 Dec
Warmest days on average	35.0 °C at Timber Creek
Coolest days on average	28.4 °C at Arltunga
Coldest day	13.2 °C at Arltunga on 2 Jul
Coldest night	-5.2 °C at Alice Springs Airport on 7 Jul
Coolest nights on average	11.9 °C at Alice Springs Airport
Warmest nights on average	25.2 °C at Cape Don
Warmest night	31.2 °C at Walungurru on 25 Dec
Warmest on average overall	28.6 °C at Cape Don
Coolest on average overall	20.3 °C at Arltunga
Wettest overall	1885.0 mm at Walker Creek
Driest overall	67.0 mm at Bond Springs Turnoff
Wettest day	287.0 mm at Mallapunyah on 27 Jan
Highest wind gust	117 km/h at Tennant Creek Airport on 23 Jan

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

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Maps
	Observed	Anomaly	Decile rank
Total rainfall
Mean daily maximum temperatures
Mean daily minimum temperatures

Click on a map to show it full size in a pop-up window

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Month by month
January the first two weeks marked the driest start to any year for most locations in the NT, especially locations along the north coast. By the 20th of the month most of the Top End was nearly 200 mm below the long term monthly average. But as the monsoon trough moved over in the last part of the month many stations received their average January rainfall within just a few days, especially in the western Top End. After a long break, monsoon returns to Top End Yulara sees coolest January on record Darwin Airport sees 10 consecutive days without rain
Rainfall rank	Maximum temperature rank	Minimum temperature rank
February was marked by a prolonged break in the North Australian Monsoon. Nearly all stations north of the Alice Springs District reported below average rainfall for the month. Darwin Airport had a mean maximum temperature of 32.8 °C for the period of 1 December through 29 February. This is 0.9 °C above average and the 3rd hottest 'summer' period on record. Dry conditions continued across the Top End Darwin Airport: 3rd hottest 3 month period (December--February) Tindal RAAF sets several temperature records
March 9, saw a tropical low form within the monsoon trough over the Timor Sea. Over the next few days the system, designated as 17U, slowly intensified. While the storm trekked across the Top End, several daily rainfall records were set. In addition to heavy rainfall, strong winds lashed the northwest coast, Darwin Airport for example, measured a wind gust of 85 km/h on the 15th. Cloudband brings heavy rains to the Alice Springs District The North Australian Monsoon returns to the Top End Palmerston sets new March daily rainfall record
April for several days the temperature lingered above 36 °C from the 1st to the 5th of the month. These five days set a new April record at Alice Springs Airport for the most consecutive days above 36 °C. For three days (2nd to the 4th), the maximum temperature reached 38 °C which is also a record hot spell for April. Record max temperatures in Alice Springs District Darwin has coolest April night in 43 years Tropical low brings rainfall to north coast
May marks the official beginning of the dry season conditions across tropical Australia. A series of high pressure cells in the Bight directed cool, dry and windy southeast winds across most parts of the Territory throughout the month. This southeasterly burst brought low temperatures to the NT with a few records observed. Rain eases in the north Dry season arrives in Top End Darwin Airport coolest daytime May in 31 years
June minimum temperatures across the NT were noticeably cool with the area averaged minimum temperature ranking as the second lowest on record. Over the south, many sites failed to register any rainfall throughout the month. Fire Danger Index (FDI) in the Top End reached severe levels for the first time in 2012 Dry conditions in the south Cool nights throughout the Territory
July dry and cool conditions prevailed over most of the NT. Alice Springs continued to experience below average night-time temperatures almost throughout July (only two nights saw minimum temperatures above the monthly average of 4.1 °C). Throughout July, the Alice endured 19 nights below 0 °C, this is just shy of the record set in 1977 with 20 nights. Darwin experienced cool nights and mild daytime temperatures. At Darwin Airport the temperatures dropped below 20 °C in 22 occasions. 3rd lowest July minimum temperatures for NT 2nd coldest month on record at Alice Springs Yulara Aero ties coldest July on Record
August the first signs of transition to the wet season were evident. Early in the month, a typical dry season synoptic pattern brought cold, dry air across the Northern Territory. Indicative of this, were several stations recording record low temperatures. Morning fogs were present along the Top End on 7 days, while the hotter winds kept minimum temperatures higher in the Alice. Darwin Airport records lowest August temperature in 22 years Alice Springs' second longest dry spell on record Bradshaw sets new record for lowest August temperature
September is usually the last month of the dry season with an increase in temperatures and humidity across the Northern Territory. Typically in September, the sub-tropical ridge weakens and the climate transitions into the wet season. This month was strongly influenced by the sub-tropical ridge as no rainfall was recorded until the last two days of the month. Dry spell in Alice Springs District ends with 157 days without rain Bushfires char NT "Build Up" is felt in Top End
October 24, at 14:30 hours, the temperature at the Alice Springs Airport reached 41.7 °C, equaling the previous hottest October day record set on 18 October 2002. On the morning of Sunday the 29th, a slow moving trough crossed over the western Top End. The rainfall was a classic example of very localised heavy rainfall over Darwin. Leanyer managed to pick up 110.8 mm, their highest October daily total in 23 years worth of records. The city and the Airport, however, failed to received such high values. Below average rainfall across the Territory Hot days across the south and the Top End Relatively cool nights throughout
November dry conditions dominated most of the Arnhem and the Roper - McArthur Districts. Gove Airport failed to register any rainfall during this month, making it the driest November since 1994. Farther south, Boroloola received 13.8 mm, their lowest November rainfall since 2006. With a mean daytime temperature of 36.7 °C (third highest November on record) and a mean night-time temperature of 20.2 °C (also third highest), Alice Springs endured its second hottest November with a mean temperature of 28.5 °C, just 0.6 °C shy of the record set in 1987. Very dry conditions over the northeast and southwest Oenpelli's driest November since 1965 Second warmest November for the Territory in over two decades
December on December 6th and 7th, Darwin Airport managed to hit 36.3 °C which is very unusual. More over, it marked the hottest December day since 1976. On the night of the 6th, temperatures struggled to dip below 30 °C just reaching 29.1 °C in the early hours of the 7th. This was the hottest night for any month in 3 years. Darwin endures a hot "build up" weather Top End sees very much below average rainfall Alice Springs District sees above average maximum and minimum temperatures
Rainfall rank	Maximum temperature rank	Minimum temperature rank

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Record lowest total annual rainfall
	Total rainfall for 2012 (mm)	Previous annual driest		Years of record	Annual average
Warruwi	416.6	490.2	in 2002	82	1139.6

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Record lowest temperature
	Lowest temperature in 2012 (°C)		Previous annual coolest		Years of record	Annual average
Kulgera	-4.8	on 7 Jul	-4.7	on 15 Jul 1982	33	13.8

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Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

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Summary statistics for 2012
	Maximum temperatures (°C)				Minimum temperatures (°C)				Rainfall (millimetres)
	Mean for 2012	Diff from average	Highest for 2012		Mean for 2012	Diff from average	Lowest for 2012		Total for 2012	Average annual total	Rank of 2012	Fraction of annual average
Darwin-Daly (district 14GA)
Batchelor Aero	33.4	-0.3	38.6	4 Nov	20.3	-0.8	8.5	7 Jun	1540.8	1632.3	low	94%
Cape Don	31.9		36.9	7 Dec	25.2		19.4	22 Jul	911.0	1252.8	low	73%
Central Arnhem Plateau	32.1		39.9	6 Dec	19.8		8.8	13 Aug	1032.4
Darwin Airport	32.3	+0.3	36.6	13 Oct	22.5	-0.7	13.1	13 Aug	1724.5	1729.3	average	100%
Delamere Weapons Range	34.1	+0.4	42.3	13 Jan			9.5	11 Jun	511.6	878.5	low	58%
Dum In Mirrie AWS	31.8	+0.1	35.9	16 Apr	22.6	-0.7	12.6	23 Jul	1270.4	1788.6	v low	71%
Jabiru Airport	34.7	+0.4	40.5	31 Oct	22.4	-0.2	12.1	22 Jul	1356.4	1569.3	average	86%
Mango Farm	33.9	-0.2	40.0	24 Sep	19.4	-1.1	7.0	13 Aug	1618.9	1410.8	high	115%
McCluer Island	29.8		34.6	19 Dec	25.2		19.8	24 Jun	1022.8	1189.8	average	86%
Middle Point AWS	34.5	+0.4	39.5	27 Nov	19.6	-1.0	5.0	13 Aug	1345.0	1451.8	low	93%
Pirlangimpi	32.7	+0.5	36.8	23 Sep	22.1	-0.1	13.5	7 Jun	1672.6	2006.1	low	83%
Port Keats Aero	32.6	-0.4	37.3	11 Oct			10.6	21 Jun
Arnhem (district 14BC)
Cape Wessel	31.2		36.4	30 Dec	24.8		21.1	12 Aug	115.4	1211.3	v low	10%
Gove Airport	30.8	+0.2	36.1	20 Dec	22.0	-0.4	13.7	17 Aug	1001.6	1456.1	v low	69%
Groote Eylandt Airport AWS	31.8	-0.3	37.7	19 Dec	20.5	-0.2	8.4	13 Aug	783.0	1366.6	v low	57%
Ngayawili	31.5	+0.1	36.3	2 Dec	22.5	-0.3	12.9	6 Jun	967.0	1533.9	v low	63%
North East Island	30.3		35.8	13 Jan	24.6		18.6	16 Aug	507.4	844.0	low	60%
Roper-Mcarthur (district 14DE)
Centre Island	31.0	-0.2	39.1	6 Dec	23.3	-0.5	14.7	4 Jul	839.4	1037.8	average	81%
McArthur River Mine	34.5	0.0	44.1	6 Dec	19.0	-0.6	3.2	5 Jul	693.1	752.1	average	92%
Wollogorang			42.0	6 Dec	17.8	-1.1	3.3	13 Aug	814.1	960.1	average	85%
Victoria (district 14F)
Timber Creek	35.0	+0.1	43.0	7 Dec	20.1	-1.0	5.5	22 Jun
Victoria River Downs	34.4	0.0	43.8	7 Dec	17.9	-1.7	2.0	3 Jul	731.3	648.9	average	113%
Barkly (district 15A)
Tennant Creek Airport	31.7	-0.1	43.2	5 Feb	19.1	-0.7	6.7	21 Jun	491.2	474.7	average	103%
Alice Springs (district 15B)
Alice Springs Airport	29.6	+0.9	43.2	24 Dec	11.9	-1.3	-5.2	7 Jul	209.4	283.7	average	74%
Arltunga	28.4	-0.1	41.2	24 Dec	12.3	-1.0	-4.7	2 Aug	276.4	298.2	average	93%
Curtin Springs	29.9	+0.3	44.4	23 Dec	12.9	-0.5	-3.0	10 Jul	247.0	239.4	average	103%
Jervois	30.7	-0.2	43.6	30 Jan	14.7	+0.1	-1.5	2 Aug	179.4	295.7	low	61%
Rabbit Flat	33.8	+0.2	44.8	8 Dec	15.8	-0.8	-2.0	5 Jul	263.9	485.5	low	54%
Territory Grape Farm	30.5	-0.2	42.4	8 Dec	13.8	-0.7	-1.2	1 Aug	253.4	322.7	average	79%
Walungurru	32.7		45.3	24 Dec	18.6		3.1	10 Jul	146.0
Yulara Aero	30.0	+0.1	44.1	25 Nov	12.9	-1.1	-2.2	16 Jul	212.6	288.3	average	74%

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

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