Wednesday, 3 January 2007 - Annual Climate Summary for Queensland - Product code IDCKGC34R0

Queensland Annual Climate Summary 2006

Summary

2006 was wetter and cooler than average over northern Queensland while it was a dry and warm year for central and southeast Queensland and the southern interior.  Brisbane airport recorded its third driest year since records began in 1950. 

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Details

Rainfall: While the northern tropics received above average rainfall during 2006, it was a dry year for central and southeast Queensland and the southern interior, with some places recording their driest year on record, as shown in the maps of total rainfall and rainfall deciles. This follows an extended dry period which has affected much of southern and central Queensland over the last 5 to 10 years. Places which recorded their lowest annual rainfall total on record include Chinchilla with 174 mm (average 669 mm, previous record 303 mm in 1922, 117 years of record) and Woodlands with 199.5 mm (average 509 mm, previous record 208 mm in 1915, 101 years of record). A full listing of new rainfall records appears below. 

In the northern tropics, the monsoon brought record rainfall to parts of the tropics during January, March and April with further rain during May and unseasonal rain in early spring. Major contributions to the rainfall came from the passage of two severe Tropical Cyclones,  Larry which crossed the coast near Innisfail in March and Monica which crossed the coast south of Lockhart River in April.

The highest rainfall in state was recorded at Bellenden Ker Top station with 9850 mm (average 7751 mm). This was also the highest recorded rainfall total in Austalia during 2006. Other places among those with the highest recorded totals for the year include Cape Tribulation store with 5944 mm (average 3961 mm) and Daintree Tree with 5745 mm (average 3772 mm) and Babinda with 5646 mm (average 4199).  

Temperatures: Temperatures were generally cooler than average in the northern tropics, and warmer elsewhere as shown in the map of maximum temperature anomalies and map of minimum temperature anomalies.

The highest temperature recorded in the state was 48.5°C at Birdsville Airport on 30th November (long-term record 49.5°C). This was also the highest temperature recorded nationally during 2006.

The lowest temperature recorded in the state was −8.9 at Stanthorpe on 10th July (long term record −10.6°C).

During a hot spell during late November and early December, a number of places recorded new record annual maximum temperatures. These include Winton with 46.8°C (previous record 45.6°C, 49 years of record), Palmerville with 43.2°C (previous record 42.7°C, 48 years of record) and Barcaldine with 45.1 (previous 44.9°C, 45 years of record). See the listing of new temperature records below.

Further information

Queenslnad Climate Services Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
Phone (07) 3239 8700
Email climate.qld@bom.gov.au

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Extremes

Hottest day Highest temperature	48.5°C at Birdsville Airport on 30 Nov
Warmest days on average Highest mean daily maximum temperature	33.3°C at Toorak Research Station
Coolest days on average Lowest mean daily maximum temperature	21.8°C at Applethorpe
Coldest day Lowest daily maximum temperature	9.1°C at Applethorpe on 11 Jun
Coldest night Lowest temperature	−8.9°C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade on 10 Jul
Coolest nights on average Lowest mean daily minimum temperature	8.2°C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade
Warmest nights on average Highest mean daily minimum temperature	24.7°C at Coconut Island
Warmest night Highest daily minimum temperature	34.4°C at Boulia Airport on 5 Jan
Wettest overall Highest total rainfall	9850 mm at Bellenden Ker Top station
Wettest day Highest daily rainfall	435.5 mm at Gereta Station on 22 Mar

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Records

Record highest total annual rainfall
	Total rainfall for 2006 (mm)	Previous annual highest		Normal annual	Years of record
Mornington Island	2171.4	2161.0	in 1939	1191.4	77
Hazelmere	2576.8	2455.7	in 1979	1684.3	33

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Record lowest total annual rainfall
	District	Total rainfall for 2006 (mm)	Previous annual lowest		Normal annual	Years of record
Woodlands	Warrego	199.5	208.4	in 1915	509.0	101
Hannaford Post Office	West Darling Downs	259.6	289.2	in 1957	588.9	70
Drillham Post Office	West Darling Downs	261.6	275.7	in 1965	609.8	69
Chinchilla Zeller Street	East Darling Downs	174.0	302.9	in 1922	668.6	117
Condamine	West Darling Downs	343.0	345.8	in 1980	621.0	67
Lanark	Moreton	273.9	339.7	in 1951	655.6	63
Barakula Forest Stn	West Darling Downs	270.1	384.3	in 1957	666.3	58
Glenwood	Port Curtis	321.8	386.4	in 1994	662.0	46
Waronga	East Darling Downs	313.8	402.4	in 1977	645.1	35
Tipton Bridge	East Darling Downs	405.2	409.0	in 2005	660.1	34
Dunmore State Forest	East Darling Downs	317.8	441.6	in 1941	711.8	65

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Record highest annual mean daily maximum temperature
	Mean daily maximum temperature for 2006 (°C)	Previous annual highest		Normal annual	Years of record
Brian Pastures	29.5	29.4	in 2005	28.1	31

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Record highest annual temperature
	Highest temperature in 2006 (°C)		Previous annual highest		Normal annual	Years of record
Winton Post Office	46.8	on 1 Dec	45.6	on 4 Jan 1994	32.1	49
Palmerville	43.2	on 5 Dec	42.7	on 16 Nov 1971	32.8	48
Barcaldine Post Office	45.1	on 30 Nov	44.9	on 6 Nov 1965	30.1	45

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Record highest annual mean daily minimum temperature
	Mean daily minimum temperature for 2006 (°C)	Previous annual highest		Normal annual	Years of record
Isisford Post Office	17.6	17.1	in 1998	15.5	75

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Summaries

 In the following table, certain key sites have been highlighted to make them easier to identify.

Summary statistics for 2006
	Maximum temperatures (°C)				Minimum temperatures (°C)				Rainfall (millimetres)
	Mean for 2006	Diff from normal	Highest for 2006		Mean for 2006	Diff from normal	Lowest for 2006		Total for 2006	Normal annual total	Rank of 2006	Fraction of annual normal
North Peninsula (district 27)
Coconut Island	31.2		35.5	31 Dec	24.7		20.9	9 Aug	2124.4
Coen Airport	30.9		40.7	16 Nov	20.9		11.8	5 Aug
Horn Island	30.0		33.5	27 Dec	24.4		20.0	28 Jul	2152.0
Scherger RAAF	32.5		38.9	17 Nov	21.5		13.7	6 Aug	1067.4
Weipa Aero	32.4		37.9	28 Dec	21.6		13.5	7 Aug	1543.6
South Peninsula (district 28)
Lockhart River Airport	29.7	−0.1	36.6	16 Nov	22.4	+0.5	11.0	7 Aug	2779.4	2083.2	high	133%
Musgrave	31.9	−0.4	40.2	10 Nov	18.7	0	8.0	7 Aug	1614.7	1170.2	high	138%
Palmerville	32.4	−0.4	43.2	5 Dec	19.1	+0.2	8.2	6 Aug	1117.6	1027.5	normal	109%
Lower Carpentaria (district 29)
Burketown Airport	32.6		42.4	15 Nov	20.6		8.9	4 Jun	655.6
Burketown Post Office	31.3	−0.8	40.0	3 Dec	20.6	+0.6	7.5	13 Jun	1301.4	766.0	very high	170%
Century Mine	33.2		44.2	1 Dec	19.4		6.9	26 Jul
Cloncurry Airport	32.8		46.9	1 Dec	18.6		5.0	17 Jul	574.6
Croydon Township	32.6	−1.3	40.9	30 Nov	20.7	+0.4	6.0	29 May	1155.2	730.2	very high	158%
Kowanyama Airport	32.7	−0.6	40.1	16 Nov	20.7	−0.2	7.8	7 Aug
Mornington Island	30.4		38.8	15 Nov	22.0	−0.2	10.8	7 Aug	2171.4	1191.4	highest	182%
Mount Isa Aero	31.7	−0.1	45.1	1 Dec	17.1	−0.2	2.9	12 Aug	545.8	453.6	high	120%
Normanton Airport	33.1		41.8	29 Oct	21.5		10.6	10 Aug	725.8
Sweers Island	29.7		37.0	4 Dec	22.9		13.5	17 Aug	1922.7
Toorak Research Station	33.3		46.5	1 Dec	16.5		2.5	4 Jun	470.8	437.3	normal	108%
Upper Carpentaria (district 30)
Georgetown Airport	32.1		41.2	1 Dec	19.1		3.2	10 Aug	841.4
Georgetown Post Office	33.2	+0.6	41.5	1 Dec	18.7	+0.3	3.0	6 Aug	922.6	820.1	normal	112%
Hughenden Airport	31.8		43.9	1 Dec	18.1		2.2	6 Jun	409.8
Richmond Airport	33.0		45.0	1 Dec	17.3		2.1	6 Jun	560.6
Richmond Post Office	32.7	−0.1	44.8	1 Dec	17.8	+1.2	4.0	2 Jun	609.9	474.1	high	129%
Barron North Coast (district 31)
Atherton Shire Council	25.0		35.5	15 Nov	15.6		2.3	7 Aug	1500.7
Cairns Aero	28.9	0	35.3	16 Nov	21.1	+0.3	10.1	5 Aug	2289.0	1991.7	normal	115%
Cape Flattery	29.3		35.2	16 Nov	23.1		15.2	7 Aug	2276.2
Cooktown Airport	28.8		37.6	15 Nov	21.8		8.8	7 Aug	2274.8
Green Island	27.3		34.4	6 Jan	23.0		17.3	10 Sep
Kairi Research Station	25.1	−0.2	37.4	15 Nov	15.9	+0.3	3.2	7 Aug	1472.9	1270.0	high	116%
Low Isles Lighthouse	29.2	−0.2	35.7	7 Feb	23.2	−0.2	18.3	9 Aug	2791.5	2095.0	high	133%
Mareeba Airport	28.0		38.5	15 Nov	17.8		7.4	5 Aug	828.0
Walkamin DPI	26.7	−0.6	37.2	15 Nov	17.2	+0.1	5.8	6 Aug	922.3	1013.1	normal	91%
Herbert North Coast (district 32)
Cardwell Marine Pde	28.0	−0.7	34.9	5 Feb	19.9	+1.1	7.5	6 Aug
Ingham Composite	28.7	−0.4	36.3	8 Jan	19.0	−0.1	8.5	4 Jun	2401.6	2067.4	high	116%
Innisfail	27.7	−0.2	33.7	16 Nov	20.7	+1.5	11.9	6 Aug	3934.5	3558.9	high	111%
Lucinda Point	26.6		33.8	6 Feb	22.3		14.7	6 Aug	1002.4
South Johnstone Exp Stn	28.0	−0.1	35.0	7 Feb	19.9	+0.8	9.0	6 Aug
Townsville Aero	29.0	+0.1	36.4	16 Nov	19.9	+0.2	7.9	11 Aug	993.2	1111.4	normal	89%
East Central Coast (district 33)
Alva Beach	27.7		33.7	16 Nov	20.2		8.4	4 Jun	1000.8
Ayr DPI Research Stn	29.0	−0.2	37.6	16 Nov	18.4	+0.4	6.0	5 Jul	902.6	948.9	normal	95%
Bowen Airport	28.4		35.0	16 Nov	19.8		6.5	5 Jul
Collinsville Post Office	30.3	+0.1	41.4	7 Jan	16.8	+0.3	3.1	5 Jul	553.6	706.0	low	78%
Hamilton Island Airport	26.1		33.7	5 Jan	21.5		13.8	18 Jul	1196.0
Mackay Aero	27.4		35.8	7 Jan	18.1		5.5	11 Aug	1139.4
Mackay M.O	26.5	+0.1	35.7	7 Jan	19.5	+0.5	8.9	11 Aug	1248.4	1569.1	low	80%
Proserpine Airport	28.3		38.4	7 Jan	17.9		4.2	11 Aug	814.0	1353.3	very low	60%
Samuel Hill Aero	26.9		35.7	7 Jan	15.8		2.2	26 May	1265.4
St Lawrence	28.4		35.9	7 Feb	17.6		5.7	4 Jun	541.8
St Lawrence Post Office	28.7	+0.3	36.0	7 Feb	18.1	+0.7	6.8	26 May	745.7	1015.6	low	73%
Te Kowai Exp Stn	27.8	0	37.0	8 Jan	17.0	+0.4	4.0	11 Aug	1340.8	1668.3	normal	80%
Williamson	28.4		35.5	4 Feb	17.0		3.2	4 Jun	662.4
Woolshed	25.1		33.7	16 Nov	16.4		2.8	5 Jul	1386.8
Yeppoon The Esplanade	25.9		33.5	7 Jan	18.9		4.9	26 May	974.6
West Central Coast (district 34)
Charters Towers Airport	29.9		41.0	30 Nov	17.4		5.8	5 Jun	459.3
Moranbah Water Treatment Plant	30.0		42.7	30 Nov	17.1		5.0	5 Jul
Central Highlands (district 35)
Blackwater Water Treatment Plant	30.2		42.0	7 Jan	16.1		3.0	26 May	315.3
Brigalow Research Stn	29.8	+1.3	41.1	4 Feb	14.3	0	−0.4	25 May	374.0	700.7	very low	53%
Clermont Sirius St	30.1	+0.5	44.0	30 Nov	15.6	+0.6	0.8	10 Aug	451.2	663.3	low	68%
Emerald Airport	30.0		42.9	30 Nov	16.6		4.7	31 May	442.2
Rolleston Meteor St	29.7		41.5	5 Feb	14.2		−1.0	25 May	568.0	642.8	normal	88%
Springsure Dame St	29.1	+0.1	43.0	30 Nov	15.7	+1.3	2.1	5 Aug	561.2	678.3	normal	83%
Tambo Post Office	30.0	+0.9	43.0	6 Jan	14.2	+1.6	−1.7	25 May	350.4	526.6	low	67%
Taroom Post Office	29.9	+1.7	41.5	29 Nov	14.2	+0.7	−1.2	5 Jun	357.4	668.9	very low	53%
Central Lowlands (district 36)
Barcaldine Post Office	30.5	+0.4	45.1	30 Nov	17.6	+1.4	3.4	4 Jun	418.1	495.6	normal	84%
Blackall Airport	30.6		44.9	30 Nov	16.1		−0.1	10 Aug	428.8
Isisford Post Office	31.8	+1.0	46.0	30 Nov	17.6	+2.2	3.5	25 May	323.5	450.8	normal	72%
Longreach Aero	31.9	+0.5	45.9	6 Jan	16.6	+0.8	1.0	4 Jul	376.6	452.3	normal	83%
Upper Western (district 37)
Camooweal Township	32.8	−0.1	45.9	1 Dec	17.7	+0.1	1.4	13 Jun	613.4	392.0	very high	156%
The Monument Airport	32.2		46.5	1 Dec	17.3		2.0	13 Jun	301.2
Trepell Airport	32.7		46.0	1 Dec	17.5		2.6	13 Jun	292.2
Urandangi	33.0	+0.6	45.5	1 Dec	17.3	+0.9	1.1	2 Jul	358.4	298.1	normal	120%
Winton Airport	32.5		46.9	1 Dec	17.1		3.3	9 Jul	342.8
Winton Post Office	32.7	+0.6	46.8	1 Dec	18.0	+1.4	4.1	9 Jul	361.4	405.3	normal	89%
Lower Western (district 38)
Bedourie Police Station	33.0		46.7	30 Nov	17.3		3.7	25 May	67.6	180.9	very low	37%
Birdsville Airport	32.0		48.5	30 Nov	17.1		2.1	25 May	58.4
Boulia Airport	32.9	+1.1	46.4	30 Nov	18.7	+2.0	4.1	2 Jul	95.3	265.2	very low	36%
Windorah Post Office	32.0	+1.5	46.8	1 Dec	17.2	+1.4	1.5	25 May	229.8	286.7	normal	80%
Port Curtis South Coast (district 39)
Baralaba Post Office	30.5	+0.7	41.8	7 Jan	15.6	+0.5	1.1	26 May	439.7	711.0	very low	62%
Bundaberg Aero	27.1	+0.5	33.5	14 Feb	16.7	+0.4	5.7	25 May	878.0	1008.9	normal	87%
Gayndah Airport	29.3		40.3	4 Feb	14.6		0.6	25 May	300.8
Gayndah Post Office	29.3	+1.1	39.9	4 Feb	14.8	+1.2	0.9	25 May	353.7	761.9	very low	46%
Gladstone Airport	27.4		34.9	5 Jan	18.0		6.7	25 May	727.0
Gladstone Radar	28.8	+1.2	36.4	5 Jan	18.9	+0.4	9.5	12 Jun	663.4	880.9	low	75%
Heron Island Res Stn	26.8		33.1	2 Jan	21.2		13.4	26 May	929.6	1050.6	normal	88%
Lady Elliot Island	26.3	+0.7	32.7	14 Feb	20.9	+0.2	11.2	3 Aug	657.3	1149.2	very low	57%
Monto Township	28.4	+1.2	39.4	6 Jan	13.4	+0.6	−1.1	25 May	496.3	732.4	low	68%
Rockhampton Aero	28.8	+0.4	40.0	7 Jan	17.3	+0.7	3.7	26 May	588.0	797.3	low	74%
Rundle Island	24.8		31.2	18 Feb	20.9		12.5	12 Jun
Sandy Cape Lighthouse	26.3	+0.5	32.9	14 Feb	19.0	+0.2	10.4	17 Jul	1271.0	1268.0	normal	100%
Thangool Airport	29.9		41.0	4 Feb	13.4		−1.0	25 May	436.5	666.3	very low	66%
Town of 1770	25.9		31.5	14 Feb	18.9		10.0	12 Jun	1187.7
Moreton South Coast (district 40)
Amberley AMO	27.6	+0.9	40.5	29 Nov	12.4	−0.7	−3.1	31 May	476.3	850.5	very low	56%
Archerfield Airport	26.7	+0.5	36.2	28 Oct	14.3	0	1.1	31 May	685.2	1063.1	low	64%
Baroon Pocket Dam	25.4		36.5	29 Nov	13.9		3.0	1 Jun	1221.7
Beerburrum Forest Station	26.6		38.6	29 Nov	14.3		4.6	1 Jun	908.0	1393.3	low	65%
Brian Pastures	29.5	+1.4	39.8	6 Jan	14.7	+0.4	−0.3	25 May	327.6	695.9	very low	47%
Brisbane*	26.3	+0.8	34.8	2 Jan	16.2	+0.5	5.0	31 May	795.6	1149	very low	69%
Brisbane Aero*	25.5	+0.1	32.2	4 Apr	15.5	+0.2	3.0	31 May	613.0	1191	very low	51%
Cape Moreton Lighthouse	24.2	+1.0	31.4	14 Feb	18.9	+0.9	11.0	17 Jul	692.8	1519.8	very low	46%
Coolangatta	24.8		32.7	2 Jan	16.0		3.2	1 Jun	1740.2
Double Island Point Lighthouse	25.3	+1.2	32.6	5 Jan	19.3	+0.7	10.3	17 Jul	800.2	1393.6	very low	57%
Gold Coast Seaway	26.3		35.0	24 Jan	16.7		6.6	18 Jul	1072.8
Gympie	27.4	+0.2	38.6	29 Nov	12.9	−0.6	−0.9	25 May	644.4	1125.0	very low	57%
Hervey Bay Airport	26.6		34.5	20 Feb	16.9		5.0	25 May	1000.8
Hinze Dam	25.4		37.9	3 Jan	15.8		6.7	1 Jun
Jimna Forestry	24.3		37.0	29 Nov	11.6		−1.9	1 Jun	403.2
Kingaroy Airport	26.5		37.8	29 Nov	11.3		−2.4	2 Jul	387.4
Logan City Water Treatment	25.8		35.5	29 Nov	14.9		3.6	1 Jun	921.4
Maleny Tamarind St	23.3		34.2	29 Nov	14.1		4.8	5 Aug	1381.3	1972.6	low	70%
Maroochydore Aero	25.2		33.5	4 Apr	15.5		3.7	25 May	1345.8
Maryborough	27.1	+0.2	34.2	5 Jan	15.8	+0.5	2.6	25 May	802.4	1143.7	low	70%
Nambour DPI	25.9	+0.2	37.7	29 Nov	14.4	+0.4	2.5	1 Jun	1324.2	1709.1	low	77%
Point Lookout	25.1		31.8	21 Feb	18.8		10.7	17 Jul	1503.0
Rainbow Beach	25.2		33.2	6 Jan	16.8		4.5	3 Jun	1167.1
Redcliffe	25.3		33.6	4 Apr	16.6		6.8	1 Jun	655.6
Redlands HRS	25.6	+0.4	36.6	22 Nov	14.6	+0.2	2.7	1 Jun	990.1	1295.7	low	76%
Tewantin RSL Park	25.0		33.3	4 Apr	16.7		6.4	1 Jun	1399.4
Toolara	27.0		38.5	29 Nov	16.4		7.9	18 Jul	651.2
University of Queensland Gatton	27.9	+1.1	41.8	29 Nov	12.8	−0.3	−0.2	31 May	576.2	773.9	low	74%
East Darling Downs (district 41)
Applethorpe	21.8	+1.2	36.0	4 Feb	8.6	−0.3	−6.6	9 Jul	622.8	764.0	low	82%
Dalby Airport	28.0		40.5	3 Jan	12.1		−3.4	17 Jun	423.4
Goondiwindi Airport	28.1		42.6	29 Nov	13.0		−2.6	9 Jul	321.5
Inglewood Forest	27.4		41.6	3 Jan	12.4		0.3	26 Jun	255.8
Oakey Aero	26.4	+1.1	39.8	29 Nov	11.1	+0.4	−5.8	9 Jul	548.0	634.2	low	86%
Stanthorpe Leslie Parade	22.6	+1.0	36.8	3 Jan	8.2	−0.6	−8.9	10 Jul	511.9	766.0	very low	67%
Texas Post Office	27.6	+0.7	41.8	3 Jan	12.0	+0.7	−2.5	9 Jul	616.8	655.4	normal	94%
Toowoomba Airport	23.7		37.5	3 Jan	12.6		2.5	17 Jun	530.8
Warwick	25.1		38.5	4 Feb	9.9		−6.4	10 Jul	570.0
West Darling Downs (district 42)
Miles Constance Street	28.3		42.8	6 Jan	12.8		−4.8	9 Jul	347.8
Maranoa (district 43)
Injune Post Office	28.4	+1.0	42.3	6 Jan	12.8	+1.0	−4.3	9 Jul	405.0	630.2	very low	64%
Mitchell Post Office	29.2	+1.8	42.9	3 Jan	12.8	+1.1	−4.0	25 May	337.9	565.4	very low	60%
Roma Airport	28.5		43.5	6 Jan	13.8		−3.7	9 Jul	264.1
St George Airport	28.9		43.8	29 Nov	14.2		−2.2	9 Jul	201.2
Surat	28.7	+0.9	43.9	29 Nov	13.8	+0.9	−3.9	17 Jun	368.7	576.5	low	64%
Warrego (district 44)
Bollon Mary St	29.5	+1.6	44.0	29 Nov	14.6	+1.4	−0.1	9 Jul	270.7	460.2	low	59%
Charleville Aero	29.5	+1.5	43.4	6 Feb	14.9	+1.4	−2.1	25 May	373.4	483.7	normal	77%
Cunnamulla Post Office	29.6	+1.6	45.0	4 Feb	15.7	+1.6	1.4	26 May	250.4	371.5	low	67%
Far Southwest (district 45)
Ballera Gas Field	31.0		46.8	30 Nov	17.3		1.9	12 Jun	58.0
Quilpie Airport	30.9	+1.7	45.5	5 Feb	16.7	+1.3	1.0	25 May	198.7	342.3	low	58%
Thargomindah Airport	30.2		46.0	2 Feb	17.0		1.0	25 May	144.5

Jump to:  Extremes  Records  Summaries  Notes  the top

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Notes

Further information

Queensland Climate Services Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
Phone (07) 3239 8700
Email climate.qld@bom.gov.au

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