Wednesday, 2 January 2008 - Annual Climate Summary for Queensland - Product code IDCKGC34R0

Annual Queensland Climate Summary for 2007

Queensland saw a variety of weather extremes during the year.  

An east coast low off the Queensland coast in August produced some extremely high daily rainfall figures in the Rainbow Beach area, and as a result flooding occurred in the Noosa, Mary and Maroochy rivers.  

A cold spell from a cool southerly airflow during June broke many low daily maximum temperature records across the state on the 20th and 21st.

May in 2007 was the warmest on record for Queensland, based on figures since 1950.

Jump to:  Extremes  Records  Summaries  Notes  the top

Rainfall

Looking at the whole state for the year, rainfall was near average across the western and central districts, but below average in the south east quarter of the state.  This is despite some heavy falls at the beginning of the year due to an active monsoon trough, localised heavy falls from thunderstorm activity, and a late developing La Niña in 2007.

Averaged over the state, the rainfall was 656 mm, where the long term annual average for Queensland is 630 mm.

The highest rainfall overall for the year was 7936 mm at Bellenden Ker Top Station, followed by 5628 mm at Bulgun Creek Alert.  Both of these stations are in the North Tropical coastal district.

The wettest single day was 772 mm at Coops Corner, 689 mm at Mt Bilewilam and 529.4 mm at Rainbow Beach, all on the 24th August as a result of an east coast low located off the Queensland coast.  Localised flooding occurred in the area over the following days as a result.

Brisbane received 652 mm of rainfall for the year 2007, just 58% of the long term average (1146 mm). Rainfall totals were closer to average in many surrounding areas, however.  Unusually, Amberley received more rainfall than Brisbane with a total of 706 mm (long-term average 831 mm), while a number of places on the Sunshine Coast received above average rainfall. These include Tewantin with 2040 mm (long-term average 1671 mm) and Maroochydore with 1647 mm (long-term average 1273 mm).  Rainfall totals on the Gold Coast were typically a little below average.  Coolangatta received 1140 mm (long-term average 1343 mm).

Longer term deficiencies still persist across the south east coast and adjacent inland over parts of the Central coast, Central Highlands, Wide Bay and Burnett, and the Southeast Coastal districts.  Rainfall deciles from October 1996 to the end of November 2007 show this large area to be below to very much below average, with parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett area receiving the lowest rainfall on record.  See a map of  rainfall deficiencies over this time period.

See a map of total rainfall. See a map of rainfall deciles.

Temperature

Annual maximum temperatures were generally above average in the south, and average in the north of the state from about Rockhampton.

However, taking the state as a whole, and based on figures since 1950, May was the warmest on record.  There were many highest mean daily maximum and highest daily maximum records in May.  See these May records

In contrast, many daily low maximum records occurred on the 20th and 21st June with widespread rain and cloud cover, and a cool southerly surge bringing chilly conditions to the state. See the coldest day (lowest maximum temperature) on record.

For the year, the hottest day was 45.4°C at Ballera Gas Field on 12th January, and the coldest day was 4.9°C at Applethorpe on 20th June.  Some sites had their highest temperature on record.

See a map of mean maximum temperatures. See a map of maximum temperature anomalies.

Annual minimum temperatures were generally warmer than average across the state, and very much above average along the southern border of the state.  The remainder of the state north from about Mackay had average to above average overnight temperatures for the year.

For the year, the coldest night was –8.8°C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade on 19th July, and the warmest night was 33.3°C at Birdsville Airport on 12th January.  Some sites had their lowest temperature on record.

See a map of mean minimum temperatures. See a map of minimum temperature anomalies.

Brisbane recorded a mean maximum temperature of 26.5°C (+0.9°C above the long-term average) and a mean minimum temperature of 16.5°C (+0.7°C above the long-term average) for the year 2007.

Annual summary of events

January - Flooding in Channel Country from the monsoon trough, but fails to deliver to Southeast Queensland.
February - An active monsoon trough produces some rainfall records over inland Queensland.
March - Drier than average rainfall in the Southeast persist.
April - Record low rainfall at some sites in the Southeast district.
May - Based on records since 1950, the warmest May on record.
June - Very cold with some record low maximum records across the state on the 20th and 21st.
July - Cool and dry.
August - Extremely high daily rainfall in the Rainbow Beach area.
September - An average month for temperature and rainfall.
October - Thunderstorms bring short term rainfall relief and keep temperatures at bay.
November - Some good daily fall from thunderstorm activity.
December - Storm activity continues over Queensland.

Further information

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

---

Extremes

Hottest day Highest temperature	45.4°C at Ballera Gas Field on 12 Jan
Warmest days on average Highest mean daily maximum temperature	34.4°C at Zinifex Century Mine
Coolest days on average Lowest mean daily maximum temperature	21.6°C at Applethorpe
Coldest day Lowest daily maximum temperature	4.9°C at Applethorpe on 20 Jun
Coldest night Lowest temperature	–8.8°C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade on 19 Jul
Coolest nights on average Lowest mean daily minimum temperature	9.1°C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade
Warmest nights on average Highest mean daily minimum temperature	25.1°C at Coconut Island
Warmest night Highest daily minimum temperature	33.3°C at Birdsville Airport on 12 Jan
Wettest overall Highest total rainfall	7936.0  mm at Bellenden Ker Top Stn 5628.0 mm at Bulgun Creek Alert
Wettest day Highest daily rainfall	772.0 mm at Coops Corner  on 24 Aug
Highest wind gust	180 km/h at Gayndah Airport on 29 Oct 144 km/h at Emerald Airport on 29 Oct

Jump to:  Extremes  Records  Summaries  Notes  the top

---

Records

Record highest annual temperature
	Highest temperature in 2007 (°C)		Previous annual highest		Years of record	Normal annual
Gladstone Radar	42.0	on 12 Mar	40.1	on 18 Nov 1990	51	27.7

---

Record lowest annual daily maximum temperature
	Lowest daily maximum temperature in 2007 (°C)		Previous annual lowest		Years of record	Normal annual
Boulia Airport	9.0	on 20 Jun	9.6	on 5 Jul 1895	119	31.7
Camooweal Township	9.8	on 20 Jun	11.0	on 24 Jul 1984	69	32.9
Townsville Aero	13.9	on 21 Jun	14.6	on 25 Jun 1971	68	28.9
Ayr DPI Research Stn	12.4	on 21 Jun	14.8	on 7 Aug 1995	56	29.1
Cape Moreton Lighthouse	12.3	on 20 Jun	12.5	on 4 Jul 1984	51	23.2
Collinsville Post Office	11.0	on 21 Jun	13.4	on 29 Jul 1986	51	30.1
Lady Elliot Island	14.4	on 20 Jun	15.0	on 7 Aug 1995	51	25.6
Tambo Post Office	7.3	on 20 Jun	10.0	on 1 Jul 1957	51	29.0
Taroom Post Office	9.6	on 20 Jun	10.0	on 16 Jul 1966	51	28.2
Urandangi	9.1	on 20 Jun	11.2	on 8 Aug 1996	51	32.4
Winton Post Office	9.6	on 20 Jun	12.2	on 30 Jun 1957	51	32.1
St Lawrence Post Office	11.9	on 21 Jun	12.8	on 25 Jun 1971	50	28.4
Double Island Point Lighthouse	11.6	on 20 Jun	11.9	on 17 Jul 1966	49	24.1
Mackay M.O	11.8	on 21 Jun	13.0	on 7 Aug 1995	49	26.4
Barcaldine Post Office	7.8	on 20 Jun	12.6	on 25 Jul 1984	46	30.1
Croydon Township	14.6	on 21 Jun	18.0	on 7 Sep 1973	46	33.8
Longreach Aero	8.3	on 20 Jun	12.5	on 8 Aug 1996	42	31.4
Mount Isa Aero	9.4	on 20 Jun	10.6	on 24 Jul 1984	42	31.8
Springsure Dame St	9.2	on 20 Jun	12.0	on 13 Jun 1978	42	28.9
Injune Post Office	8.9	on 20 Jun	9.9	on 10 Jun 2000	41	27.6
Windorah Post Office	10.6	on 20 Jun	11.7	on 12 Jul 1997	41	30.5
Brigalow Research Stn	10.5	on 20 Jun	12.0	on 11 Jul 1978	40	28.5

---

Record lowest annual temperature
	Lowest temperature in 2007 (°C)		Previous annual lowest		Years of record	Normal annual
Sandy Cape Lighthouse	5.2	on 2 Jul	5.6	on 7 Aug 1960	51	18.8
Mackay M.O	1.4	on 8 Aug	3.8	on 19 Jul 1965	49	19.0
Gympie	−4.3	on 20 Jul	−3.3	on 28 Jun 1971	43	13.6

---

Jump to:  Extremes  Records  Summaries  Notes  the top

---

Summaries

In this table, key sites have been highlighted to make them easier to find. This table is very wide and may not fit if printed.

Summary statistics for 2007
	Maximum temperatures (°C)				Minimum temperatures (°C)				Rainfall (millimetres)
	Mean for 2007	Diff from normal	Highest for 2007		Mean for 2007	Diff from normal	Lowest for 2007		Total for 2007	Normal annual total	Rank of 2007	Fraction of annual normal
North Peninsula (district 27)
Coconut Island	31.7	+0.7	36.8	20 Dec	25.1	0.0	21.4	9 Feb	1612.2
Coen Airport	31.7		39.2	2 Dec	20.9		7.4	29 Jun	1174.8
Horn Island	30.6	+0.4	33.8	20 Dec	24.7	+0.3	20.0	30 Jun	1919.8	1879.0	normal	102%
Weipa Aero	32.8	+0.1	38.3	30 Oct	22.0	+0.2	10.2	29 Jun	1745.7	2005.1	normal	87%
South Peninsula (district 28)
Musgrave	32.5	+0.2	39.7	4 Dec	19.2	+0.4	6.8	30 Jun	1344.1	1167.3	high	115%
Lower Carpentaria (district 29)
Burketown Airport	32.9		40.8	1 Dec	20.6		5.7	29 Jun	643.6	760.6	normal	85%
Burketown Post Office	32.1	–0.2	39.8	1 Dec	21.0	+1.0	6.0	13 Jul	690.3	760.6	normal	91%
Croydon Township	33.2	–0.6	42.1	2 Dec	20.8	+0.5	4.6	9 Jun	796.0	730.2	normal	109%
Julia Creek Airport	33.6		43.2	2 Dec	17.2		2.2	8 Jun	454.4
Kowanyama Airport	33.1	–0.1	39.5	6 Nov	21.3	+0.6	6.0	30 Jun	1194.0	1250.1	normal	96%
Mornington Island	30.6	+0.3	38.7	27 Oct	22.2	0.0	9.2	1 Jul	1606.8	1196.7	high	134%
Mount Isa Aero	32.0	+0.2	42.3	2 Dec	17.3	–0.1	2.1	29 Jun	462.0	453.8	normal	102%
Sweers Island	30.2		36.9	2 Dec	23.0		11.1	12 Jul	1311.9
Upper Carpentaria (district 30)
Hughenden Airport	31.6		40.6	6 Dec	17.9		2.6	21 Jul	458.6
Richmond Airport	33.0		41.9	7 Dec	17.2		0.5	10 Jul	462.8
Richmond Post Office	32.2	–0.6	41.0	6 Dec	17.6	+1.0	2.7	8 Jun	579.2	473.9	high	122%
Barron North Coast (district 31)
Cairns Aero	29.2	+0.3	37.0	1 Dec	20.8	+0.1	8.9	30 Jun	1824.8	1989.2	normal	92%
Cooktown Airport	29.2		40.6	2 Dec			7.1	10 Jul	1091.0
Green Island	27.6	–0.4	34.6	10 Jan	23.2	+0.1	14.4	29 Jun
Mareeba Airport	28.7		37.0	2 Dec	17.8		4.3	29 Jun	674.2
Walkamin DPI	27.4	+0.2	35.2	2 Dec	17.0	0.0	5.0	29 Jun	621.2	1005.0	very low	62%
Herbert North Coast (district 32)
Cardwell Marine Pde	27.7	–1.1	35.0	13 Feb	19.8	+1.0	5.9	10 Jul	2266.1	2119.2	normal	107%
Ingham Composite	29.0	–0.2	38.0	12 Feb	18.9	0.0	6.5	10 Jul	2137.3	2069.1	normal	103%
Innisfail	27.9	0.0	34.4	1 Dec	20.4	+1.2	8.7	29 Jun	3701.1	3560.2	normal	104%
Lucinda Point	26.3	–0.9	32.3	13 Feb	22.0	–0.3	12.1	21 Jul	927.4	912.0	normal	102%
South Johnstone Exp Stn	28.0	–0.1	36.0	13 Feb	19.6	+0.5	7.0	29 Jun	3535.5	3313.6	normal	107%
Townsville Aero	28.9	0.0	35.0	13 Oct	19.9	+0.2	5.7	21 Jul	1294.2	1114.1	normal	116%
East Central Coast (district 33)
Ayr DPI Research Stn	28.8	–0.2	36.4	12 Mar	18.3	+0.4	4.0	14 Jul	1055.4	951.1	normal	111%
Collinsville Post Office	30.0	–0.2	38.5	13 Mar	16.7	+0.3	0.6	20 Jul	975.4	710.1	high	137%
Mackay Aero	27.1	0.0	33.7	23 Dec	17.9	+0.2	0.6	20 Jul	1780.2	1545.7	high	115%
Mackay M.O	26.3	–0.1	34.4	12 Mar	19.2	+0.2	1.4	8 Aug	1858.0	1575.5	high	118%
Samuel Hill Aero	26.5		36.4	12 Mar	15.7		–1.3	20 Jul	1528.8
St Lawrence	27.8		38.8	12 Mar	17.5		2.6	21 Jul	868.2
St Lawrence Post Office	28.1	–0.3	39.3	12 Mar	18.0	+0.7	4.7	15 Jul	826.8	1014.2	normal	82%
Yeppoon The Esplanade	25.4	–0.5	39.1	12 Mar	18.4	–0.2	3.3	15 Jul	916.8	841.1	normal	109%
West Central Coast (district 34)
Charters Towers Airport	29.7	–0.8	38.0	11 Feb	17.5	–0.2	3.0	15 Jul	960.4	589.8	high	163%
Moranbah Water Treatment Plant	29.1	–0.7	38.6	12 Mar	16.4	–0.3	3.4	16 Jul	785.7	589.0	high	133%
Central Highlands (district 35)
Clermont Sirius St	29.6	0.0	41.0	12 Mar	15.5	+0.5	–1.0	21 Jul	658.4	663.3	normal	99%
Emerald Airport	29.2	–0.8	40.8	12 Mar	16.2	–0.3	3.3	14 Jul	702.2	457.4	very high	154%
Rolleston Warrijo St	29.1	–0.7	40.8	12 Mar	14.7	+0.7	0.5	15 Jul	498.4	641.5	low	78%
Springsure Dame St	28.2	–0.7	40.2	12 Mar	15.6	+1.4	1.6	9 Jul	767.8	679.0	normal	113%
Tambo Post Office	29.1	+0.1	39.5	4 Mar	13.9	+1.4	–2.0	14 Jul	600.6	527.7	high	114%
Taroom Post Office	29.0	+0.8	42.0	12 Mar	14.7	+1.1	–4.5	17 Jul	576.9	668.2	normal	86%
Central Lowlands (district 36)
Barcaldine Post Office	30.1	0.0	39.6	29 Oct	17.3	+1.1	2.2	8 Jun	697.2	496.8	high	140%
Blackall Airport			40.8	10 Jan	16.1		0.2	21 Jul	605.8
Longreach Aero	31.6	+0.1	42.5	28 Oct	16.4	+0.6	0.5	15 Jul	558.0	454.6	high	123%
Upper Western (district 37)
Camooweal Township	33.2	+0.4	45.0	2 Dec	18.1	+0.5	1.7	21 Jul	398.2	392.0	normal	102%
The Monument Airport	32.0		43.2	2 Jan	17.5		2.3	15 Jul	290.4
Trepell Airport	32.2		43.6	2 Jan	17.6		2.8	20 Jul	223.6
Urandangi	32.8	+0.4	44.9	15 Dec	17.3	+1.1	2.0	9 Jun	276.4	297.9	normal	93%
Winton Airport	32.3		43.4	10 Jan	16.9		1.8	22 Jul	531.6
Winton Post Office	32.3	+0.2	43.3	10 Jan	17.8	+1.2	2.4	15 Jul	521.4	406.3	high	128%
Lower Western (district 38)
Birdsville Airport	31.6		44.6	4 Mar	16.8		0.2	21 Jun	107.0
Boulia Airport	32.4	+0.6	44.4	8 Dec	18.2	+1.3	3.6	20 Jul	265.8	265.2	normal	100%
Windorah Post Office	31.6	+1.1	44.7	11 Jan	16.8	+1.1	1.0	20 Jul	306.7	286.9	normal	107%
Port Curtis South Coast (district 39)
Baralaba Post Office	29.6	–0.1	42.3	12 Mar	15.9	+0.7	0.8	20 Jul	562.7	709.1	low	79%
Bundaberg Aero	27.0	+0.5	35.7	12 Mar	16.8	+0.5	4.1	15 Jul	785.3	1004.0	low	78%
Gayndah Airport	28.3		40.1	12 Mar	14.7		–0.5	18 Jul	609.6
Gayndah Post Office	28.7	+0.5	40.4	12 Mar	14.9	+1.3	–0.8	18 Jul	692.3	762.0	normal	91%
Gladstone Airport	27.1	–0.1	41.0	12 Mar	18.1	0.0	5.2	28 Jun	821.2	749.5	high	110%
Gladstone Radar	28.2	+0.5	42.0	12 Mar	18.7	+0.2	7.5	21 Jun	809.6	879.4	normal	92%
Lady Elliot Island	25.8	+0.2	32.2	29 Jan	20.7	0.0	9.5	16 Jul	929.8	1145.7	low	81%
Monto Township	27.6	+0.3	40.1	12 Mar	13.7	+0.8	–2.8	20 Jul	662.7	731.5	normal	91%
Rockhampton Aero	28.5	+0.1	41.7	12 Mar	17.2	+0.6	1.9	16 Jul	683.4	795.6	normal	86%
Thangool Airport	29.3	0.0	41.6	12 Mar	13.7	+0.5	–2.4	20 Jul	475.6	663.8	low	72%
Town of 1770	26.0	+0.4	33.3	24 Jan	18.8	0.0	7.8	19 Jul	886.6	1150.1	very low	77%
Moreton South Coast (district 40)
Archerfield Airport	26.8	+0.6	38.7	11 Mar	14.9	+0.6	0.2	20 Jul	664.8	1057.5	low	63%
Beerburrum Forest Station	26.4		36.4	29 Jan	14.9		3.5	20 Jul	1431.0	1394.0	normal	103%
Brisbane*	26.5	+0.9	37.9	11 Mar	16.5	+0.7	3.8	19 Jul	652.4	1146.0	low	58%
Brisbane Aero	25.5	+0.1	34.2	30 Mar	15.8	+0.3	–0.1	19 Jul	736.8	972.7	low	76%
Cape Moreton Lighthouse	24.2	+1.0	30.3	31 Jan	18.9	+0.9	8.4	19 Jul	659.6	1513.5	lowest	44%
Coolangatta	25.3	+0.8	33.0	4 Oct	15.5	–0.5	–0.1	20 Jul	1140.2	1397.8	normal	82%
Double Island Point Lighthouse	24.9	+0.8	33.5	11 Mar	19.1	+0.4	8.3	20 Jun	1053.2	1390.6	low	76%
Gold Coast Seaway	26.5	+1.6	34.5	24 Jan	16.9	–0.3	2.5	19 Jul	1105.8	1204.7	low	92%
Gympie	26.9	–0.3	38.1	11 Mar	13.7	+0.1	–4.3	20 Jul	1034.0	1124.3	normal	92%
Hervey Bay Airport	26.7		35.2	31 Jan	16.8		–1.2	16 Jul	1009.6
Jimna Forestry	23.8		34.7	11 Mar	12.1		–3.2	20 Jul	918.8
Kingaroy Airport	25.8		37.4	12 Mar	11.7		–5.0	18 Jul	450.6
Logan City Water Treatment	26.1	+0.2	35.0	12 Mar			–0.5	20 Jul	727.7	1013.7	low	72%
Maleny Tamarind St	23.1		34.6	11 Mar	14.2		2.0	19 Jul	2148.2	1974.5	normal	109%
Maroochydore Aero	25.4	+0.3	33.1	4 Oct	15.8	–0.1	–0.7	20 Jul	1646.6	1355.1	high	122%
Maryborough	27.0	0.0	36.1	29 Jan	15.9	+0.6	–0.1	18 Jul	969.8	1142.4	normal	85%
Rainbow Beach	25.3	–0.2	35.0	11 Mar	16.9	+0.2	–1.0	19 Jul	1617.4	1416.0	high	114%
Redcliffe	25.4		33.9	27 Jan	17.0		3.5	20 Jul	858.8
Tewantin RSL Park	25.0	–0.2	35.1	11 Mar	16.8	–0.1	2.8	20 Jul	2040.0	1542.6	high	132%
Toolara	27.0	–0.3	36.7	29 Jan	16.5	0.0	5.2	13 Jul	1484.0	1188.8	high	125%
University of Queensland Gatton	27.8	+1.0	38.9	11 Mar	13.4	+0.4	–0.1	12 Jul	531.4	771.7	low	69%
East Darling Downs (district 41)
Applethorpe	21.6	+0.9	32.8	27 Jan	9.2	+0.2	–7.7	19 Jul	677.0	761.6	low	89%
Dalby Airport	27.0	+0.1	39.7	12 Mar	12.2	+0.2	–5.8	19 Jul	592.2	620.8	normal	95%
Goondiwindi Airport	27.6	+0.4	40.6	27 Jan	13.6	+0.9	–3.7	17 Jul	462.0	608.9	low	76%
Oakey Aero	26.0	+0.6	38.0	12 Mar	12.0	+1.2	–5.8	20 Jul	425.4	627.2	low	68%
Stanthorpe Leslie Parade	22.2	+0.5	34.5	31 Jan	9.1	+0.3	–8.8	19 Jul	636.7	765.8	low	83%
Texas Post Office	27.0	+0.1	38.6	30 Jan	12.6	+1.4	–4.4	19 Jul	701.0	655.9	normal	107%
Toowoomba Airport	23.4	+0.2	36.1	12 Mar	12.8	+0.3	–0.6	20 Jul	456.0#	660.4	very low	66%
Warwick	24.9	+0.2	36.8	27 Jan	10.7	+0.4	–6.7	20 Jul	588.0
West Darling Downs (district 42)
Miles Constance Street	27.5	–0.3	39.1	27 Jan	13.5	+0.5	–3.3	17 Jul	554.4
Maranoa (district 43)
Injune Post Office	27.6	0.0	40.1	12 Mar	13.1	+1.3	–3.4	21 Jul	536.6	629.2	normal	85%
Mitchell Post Office	28.6	+1.1	39.9	12 Mar	13.1	+1.4	–5.8	16 Jun	523.0	565.0	normal	93%
St George Airport*	28.1	+0.1	40.6	27 Jan	14.6	+0.8	–3.7	17 Jul	548.0	516.8	normal	94%
Surat	28.0	+0.2	39.6	11 Mar	14.3	+1.4	–2.9	17 Jul	528.6	576.1	normal	92%
Warrego (district 44)
Charleville Aero	28.7	+0.7	39.8	4 Mar	14.6	+1.1	–2.4	16 Jun	523.4	484.3	normal	108%
Cunnamulla Post Office	28.7	+0.6	43.3	4 Mar	14.2	+0.1	–1.0	19 Jul	447.6	372.1	high	120%
Far Southwest (district 45)
Ballera Gas Field	30.3		45.4	12 Jan			0.6	21 Jun	257.4
Quilpie Airport	30.1	+0.9	43.2	7 Dec	15.9	+0.5	0.6	22 Jun	374.3	342.7	normal	109%

Jump to:  Extremes  Records  Summaries  Notes  the top

---

Notes

Further information

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

---