Tuesday, 1 December 2009 - Monthly Climate Summary for Northern Territory - Product code IDCKGC22R0

Northern Territory in November 2009: Warm with waterspouts

Days were warmer than usual for most the Territory this November, with maximum anomalies reaching 2 °C to 3 °C warmer than climatology in the southern Alice Springs District. Apart from an area adjacent to the Gulf of Carpentaria, where overnight temperatures were just below average, minimum temperatures were also warmer than the long-term mean, with temperatures as much as 1 °C to 3 °C warmer than climatology in the Alice Springs District. A significant heat-wave affected central Australia during the month, with Alice Springs recording 15 days above 35 °C.

It was a drier than usual month for much of the Territory this November, with below average rainfall recorded across large areas. However, some isolated areas in the northeast and northwest of the Top End saw average rainfall, while the very far southeast of the Territory saw well above average rainfall.

Darwin
Darwin was on average for rainfall this November, with a total 131.0 mm just below the long-term mean of 139.1 mm. The mean maximum temperature recorded at Darwin Airport was 33.7 °C, which is 0.4 °C warmer than the November long-term mean of 33.3 °C. In contrast, nights were slightly cooler than usual, with a mean minimum of 25.2 °C being 0.2 °C below the long-term November mean of 25.4 °C.

Alice Springs
Alice Springs was much drier this November, with only 0.4 mm of rain recorded. This is well below the long-term mean of 28.6 mm for the month of November. Alice Springs was much warmer than usual, with the mean maximum of 35.6 °C being 2.0 °C greater than the long-term November mean of 33.6 °C. Nights were also warmer than normal in Alice, with a mean minimum of 19.0 °C being 1.1 °C warmer than the long term mean of 17.9 °C. Alice Springs experienced a record breaking heatwave between the 7th and 21st when it had 15 consecutive days of temperatures above 35 °C. The previous record for consecutive days above 35 °C for Alice Springs in November was 13 days. Alice Springs reached 43.0 °C on the 17th, which was also a November record, this time for daily maximum temperature.

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

 

Rainfall

Most of the Territory (most notably western parts) experienced below average rainfall this month, except for the northwest Darwin Daly District which saw close to average rainfall. The far southeast corner, the northwest Tiwi Islands, and an area of Arnhemland were the only areas that experienced above average rainfall.

The area-averaged rainfall over the whole of the Territory was 17.2 mm which is 24.3 mm less than the long-term average of 41.5 mm.

The wettest overall was 252.0 mm at Nightcliff Pool, followed by 229.2 mm at Lambell's Lagoon and then 218.2 mm at Marrara.

Some sites had their lowest total November rainfall on record.

The wettest single day 93.8 mm at Bulman AWS on the 24th, followed by 78.6 mm at Lambell's Lagoon on the 3rd and then 73.2 mm at Yulara Aero AWS on the 3rd.

Some sites had their highest November daily rainfall on record.

 

Maximum temperature

Most of the Territory was warmer than average this November, except for the northeast corner and a portion of the eastern Roper-McArthur and Barkly districts which were just below average. Most of the western half was 1 °C to 2 °C warmer than climatology, with some areas 2 °C to 3 °C warmer.

The area-averaged maximum temperature was 37.2 °C, which was 1.0 °C warmer than the long-term October average of 36.2 °C.

The hottest day was 44.8 °C at Walungurru AWS on the 17th, followed by 44.1 °C at Rabbit Flat on the 16th and then 44.0 °C at Walungurru AWS on the 16th and Curtin Springs on the 17th.

The warmest days on average were 40.4 °C at Victoria River Downs, followed by 40.2 °C at Lajamanu and Wave Hill, and then 40.1 °C at Elliott and 40.1 °C at Rabbit Flat.

The coolest days on average were 32.7 °C at Gove Airport, followed by 32.8 °C at Dum In Mirrie AWS and then 32.9 °C at Alyangula Police and Point Fawcett AWS.

The coldest day was 21.0 °C at Tennant Creek Airport on the 23rd, followed by 22.4 °C at Kulgera on the 24th and then 23.5 °C at Jervois on the 23rd.

Some sites had their highest November temperature on record. Some sites had their coldest November day (lowest maximum temperature) on record. Some sites had their highest November mean daily maximum temperature on record.

 

Minimum temperature

Minimums in the southern and eastern Alice Springs District were 1 °C to 2 °C warmer than climatology this November, as were a few isolated areas through central parts of the Territory. In contrast, parts of the Roper-McArthur and eastern Arnhem districts were cooler than usual, with anomalies reaching 1 °C to 2 °C below average in the Roper-McArthur District.

The area-averaged minimum temperature was 23.1 °C, which was 0.5 °C greater than the long-term average of 22. 6°C.

The coldest night was 8.4 °C at Arltunga on the 25th, followed by 9.5 °C at Jervois on the 25th, and then 9.8 °C at Alice Springs Airport and Territory Grape Farm on the 25th.

The coolest nights on average were 19.0 °C at Alice Springs Airport, followed by 19.1 °C at Curtin Springs, and then 19.6 °C at Kulgera and Yuendumu.

The warmest nights on average were 26.9 °C at Cape Don AWS, followed by 26.6 °C at Warruwi AWS, followed by 26.5 °C at Bradshaw AWS.

The warmest night was 31.8 °C at Lajamanu AWS on the 22nd, followed by 30.5 °C at Rabbit Flat on the 18th and then 30.3 °C at Alice Springs Airport on the 18th.

Some sites had their lowest November temperature on record. Some sites had their warmest November night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record. Some sites had their highest November mean daily minimum temperature on record. Some sites had their lowest November mean daily minimum temperature on record.

 

Wind

The strongest wind gust was 120 km/h at Borroloola AWS on the 13th, followed by 109 km/h at Borroloola AWS on the 1st and then 96 km/h at Yulara Aero AWS on the 2nd.

 

Other phenomena

Several severe thunderstorms were reported across the Territory in November. Some of interest are described below.

Severe thunderstorms at Borroloola
On the 1st, a squall line moved through Borroloola in the afternoon, with a 59 kt (109 km/h) wind gust recorded at Borroloola, and 43 kt (80 km/h) at McArthur River.
On the 13th, another squall line moved through Borroloola, with a 65 kt (120 km/h) wind gust recorded that afternoon.

Severe thunderstorm at Yulara with record rainfall
On the 2nd, a slow moving line of thunderstorms saw 46.3 mm of rain fall at Yulara Aero AWS in 60 minutes (a total of 73.2 mm fell to 9 am. on the 3rd at Yulara Aero AWS, which broke the highest November daily rainfall record at Yulara). A 49 kt (91 km/h) wind gust was also recorded at Yulara that day.

Severe thunderstorms in the Darwin Rural area
There were several days in November where potentially severe thunderstorms were observed in the Darwin rural area. On the 3rd, a storm caused damage to Bees Creek Primary School which lost a shade structure, and where large trees were felled on cars and power lines.

Darwin Harbour waterspouts
A spectacular waterspout and three funnel clouds were observed over Darwin Harbour on the 19th between 8:00 and 8:30 am., which formed beneath some rapidly developing cumulus clouds.

 

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Extremes in November 2009
Hottest day	44.8 °C at Walungurru AWS on the 17th
Warmest days on average	40.4 °C at Victoria River Downs
Coolest days on average	32.7 °C at Gove Airport
Coldest day	21.0 °C at Tennant Creek Airport on the 23rd
Coldest night	8.4 °C at Arltunga on the 25th
Coolest nights on average	19.0 °C at Alice Springs Airport
Warmest nights on average	26.9 °C at Cape Don AWS
Warmest night	31.8 °C at Lajamanu AWS on the 22nd
Wettest overall	252.0 mm at Nightcliff Pool
Wettest day	93.8 mm at Bulman AWS on the 24th
Highest wind gust	120 km/h at Borroloola AWS on the 13th

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

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Record highest November daily rainfall
	Highest daily rainfall (mm)		Previous highest		Years of record
Yulara Aero AWS	73.2	on the 3rd	37.4	on the 17th in 2003	18

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Record lowest total November rainfall
	Total rainfall (mm)	Previous lowest		Years of record
Mataranka Homestead Resort	2.0	3.4	in 2006	66
Cdu Katherine Rural Campus	3.0	9.9	in 1969	44
Bullita	12.9	16.0	in 1992	40
Howard Springs	19.0	34.2	in 1979	41
Douglas River	19.2	30.4	in 2003	34
Jabiru Airport AWS	31.2	49.4	in 1980	32
Timber Creek	7.4	13.0	in 1993	27
Tindal RAAF AWS	12.4	12.8	in 2000	23
Mary River Rangers	8.4	40.0	in 1994	18
Channel Point	32.7	34.8	in 2000	16
McCluer Island AWS	0.0	= 0.0	in 2006	15
Wildman Rangers	40.6	65.8	in 2000	11
Upper Fergusson River	10.8	19.8	in 2006	11
Groote Eylandt Airport AWS	39.4	60.6	in 2008	10

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Record highest November temperature
	Highest temperature (°C)		Previous highest		Years of record
Alice Springs Airport	43.0	on the 17th	42.9	on the 28th in 1996	68
Pirlangimpi AWS	36.2	on the 2nd	= 36.2	on the 9th in 2008	25

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Record lowest November daily maximum temperature
	Lowest daily maximum temperature (°C)		Previous lowest		Years of record
McArthur River Mine	28.3	on the 24th	29.2	on the 17th in 1982	28
Borroloola AWS	27.4	on the 24th	28.7	on the 11th in 1998	13
Ngukurr	30.3	on the 24th	32.8	on the 23rd in 1964	13
Point Fawcett AWS	29.2	on the 24th	29.6	on the 5th in 2006	11

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Record highest November mean daily maximum temperature
	Mean daily maximum temperature (°C)	Previous highest		Years of record
Jabiru Airport AWS	38.8	38.6	in 2004	30
Mango Farm	38.1	37.7	in 2006	28
Douglas River	38.9	38.3	in 2003	17

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Record highest November daily minimum temperature
	Highest daily minimum (°C)		Previous highest		Years of record
Lajamanu AWS	31.8	on the 22nd	30.0	on the 13th in 2002	16
Bradshaw AWS	29.3	on the 30th	29.0	on the 23rd in 2008	11

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Record lowest November temperature
	Lowest temperature (°C)		Previous lowest		Years of record
Dum In Mirrie AWS	21.6	on the 4th	22.0	on the 15th in 2005	11
Point Fawcett AWS	21.8	on the 6th	22.0	on the 26th in 2000	11

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Record highest November mean daily minimum temperature
	Mean daily minimum temperature (°C)	Previous highest		Years of record
Tindal RAAF AWS	26.2	26.1	in 2008	20
Bradshaw AWS	26.5	= 26.5	in 2008	11

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Record lowest November mean daily minimum temperature
	Mean daily minimum temperature (°C)	Previous lowest		Years of record
Point Fawcett AWS	24.9	= 24.9	in 2006	11

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

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Summary statistics for November 2009
	Maximum temperatures (°C)				Minimum temperatures (°C)				Rainfall (mm)
	Mean	Diff from average	Highest		Mean	Diff from average	Lowest		Total	Average	Rank	Fraction
Darwin-Daly (district 14GA)
Batchelor Aero AWS	36.5	+1.0	39.1	6th	24.0	0.0	21.2	10th	70.8	136.0	low	52%
Black Point	33.3	+0.1	34.2	30th	25.8	+0.1	23.3	6th	52.4	66.6	average	79%
Bradshaw AWS	39.9	+1.7	42.3	15th	26.5	+1.0	23.6	3rd	23.2	119.3	low	19%
Cape Don AWS	33.2		34.7	14th	26.9		23.0	25th	21.0	100.3	low	21%
Central Arnhem Plateau AWS	36.4		39.4	15th	23.4		21.2	25th	13.2
Darwin Airport	33.7	+0.4	36.2	8th	25.2	-0.1	22.7	10th	131.0	139.1	average	100%
Delamere Weapons Range AWS	39.0	+1.4	41.6	15th	25.8	+0.9	21.0	24th	22.8	68.7	v low	33%
Douglas River	38.9	+2.1	41.0	9th	23.7	+0.2	22.0	6th	19.2	117.6	lowest	16%
Dum In Mirrie AWS	32.8	-0.2	33.8	19th	25.7	-0.4	21.6	4th	178.0	127.4	high	140%
Jabiru Airport AWS	38.8	+2.0	41.2	18th	25.1	+0.2	22.4	9th	31.2	146.9	lowest	21%
Katherine Aviation Museum	38.9	+1.4	41.0	15th	25.4	+0.7	20.0	24th	21.2	86.5	v low	25%
Mango Farm	38.1	+1.7	40.0	8th	22.9	-0.6	19.9	15th	138.2	128.1	average	108%
Middle Point AWS	37.2		39.0	6th	23.3		21.8	7th	130.0
Noonamah AWS	36.4		38.5	6th	24.0		21.5	10th	112.0
Pine Creek Council	37.7		39.7	18th	24.7		21.2	24th	27.9
Pirlangimpi AWS	34.2	+0.9	36.2	2nd	24.3	+0.2	22.0	14th	218.0	192.9	high	113%
Point Fawcett AWS	32.9	-0.2	34.4	7th	24.9	-0.5	21.8	6th	134.8	125.1	average	108%
Port Keats Aero AWS	34.5	+0.1	35.9	19th	26.0	+0.5	23.0	11th	51.0	81.4	average	63%
Tindal RAAF AWS	39.1	+1.8	41.1	15th	26.2	+1.1	20.2	24th	12.4	99.2	lowest	13%
Arnhem (district 14BC)
Alyangula Police	32.9	-1.0	34.8	29th	24.9	-0.6	22.3	6th	39.2	56.3	average	70%
Gove Airport	32.7	-0.4	34.5	30th	22.8	-0.7	20.0	4th	0.6	44.3	low	1%
Groote Eylandt Airport AWS	34.5	0.0	36.9	19th	22.6	-1.0	20.1	5th	39.4	114.3	lowest	34%
Maningrida Aero AWS	33.6		34.8	13th	24.3		22.6	5th	29.2
Milingimbi AWS	33.3		34.8	13th	24.8		22.6	14th	30.2
Ngayawili AWS	33.2	+0.1	35.2	8th	23.8	-0.6	21.3	14th	71.2	64.4	average	111%
Warruwi AWS	33.6	-0.1	35.0	14th	26.6	+0.2	25.1	26th	19.2	57.1	low	34%
Roper-Mcarthur (district 14DE)
Borroloola AWS	37.3	0.0	40.2	18th	22.7	-1.2	18.0	14th	56.4	76.5	average	74%
Bulman AWS	38.8		41.2	15th	23.3		20.7	6th	108.8
Larrimah	38.6	+0.7	41.0	28th	23.5	-0.8	19.0	24th	17.0	66.2	low	26%
McArthur River Mine	38.9	+0.2	41.6	28th	23.8	-0.3	19.4	24th	36.6	50.2	average	73%
Wollogorang	37.3	-0.2	40.1	29th	21.6	-0.9	18.8	25th	9.1	63.6	v low	14%
Victoria (district 14F)
Kidman Springs	39.9	+1.0	42.1	28th	25.8	+0.8	21.0	26th	14.3	57.4	low	25%
Lajamanu AWS	40.2	+2.0	43.1	28th	24.1	+0.9	14.6	25th	4.2	38.1	low	11%
Timber Creek	40.0	+1.5	42.2	15th	25.7	+0.4	20.2	26th	7.4	82.9	lowest	9%
Victoria River Downs	40.4	+1.9	42.3	19th	25.1	+0.5	19.6	26th	41.4	59.0	average	70%
Wave Hill	40.2	+1.5	42.7	28th	24.8	+1.0	15.2	25th	11.8	58.4	v low	20%
Barkly (district 15A)
Brunette Downs	38.3	+0.3	41.7	20th	24.0	+1.0	16.9	25th	4.8	29.0	low	17%
Elliott	40.1	+1.1	43.0	17th	23.1	-0.3	17.0	25th	32.4	46.5	average	70%
Tennant Creek Airport	37.4	+0.9	41.8	18th	24.8	+1.0	16.1	24th	13.0	38.0	low	34%
Alice Springs (district 15B)
Alice Springs Airport	35.6	+2.0	43.0	17th	19.0	+1.1	9.8	25th	0.4	28.6	v low	1%
Curtin Springs	36.1	+1.7	44.0	17th	19.1	+1.2	12.6	22nd	4.0	22.8	average	18%
Jervois	37.0	+1.0	43.6	17th	20.6	+1.8	9.5	25th	1.8	24.4	low	7%
Kulgera	34.5	+1.2	42.7	17th	19.6	+1.2	10.3	25th	1.6	24.5	low	7%
Papunya	37.2		42.5	17th	20.5		13.5	26th	4.4	32.9	low	13%
Rabbit Flat	40.1	+1.3	44.1	16th	21.4	-0.8	10.7	25th	4.2	37.0	low	11%
Territory Grape Farm AWS	36.9	+1.4	41.6	17th	19.9	+1.3	9.8	25th	1.2	34.5	v low	3%
Walungurru AWS	39.0		44.8	17th	24.1		17.7	23rd	5.0
Watarrka	35.7	+0.6	43.4	17th	21.2	+1.3	10.6	24th	8.7	50.9	low	17%
Yuendumu	37.1	+2.0	42.0	16th	19.6	-0.2	12.0	25th	8.4	31.7	low	26%
Yulara Aero AWS	35.8	+0.8	43.1	17th	20.0	+1.8	12.3	25th	81.2	32.9	v high	247%

Details Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

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