Tuesday, 1 December 2015 - Monthly Climate Summary for Northern Territory - Product code IDCKGC12R0

Northern Territory in November 2015: Very dry in the north, hot throughout

Mean maximum and minimum temperatures were average to very much above average throughout all parts of Northern Territory. Many sites had their record highest November mean daily maximum temperature, while a smaller number of sites set monthly records for highest mean daily minimum temperature. Rainfall was well below average across much of the Top End and the southwest of the Territory. The remainder of the Territory had average rainfall, apart from some parts of the central west and far southeast which recorded above-average rainfall during the month.

• Mean daily maximum temperatures were well above average, with many sites setting monthly records.
• Mean daily minimum temperatures were well above average, with some sites setting monthly records.
• Rainfall was well below average over much of the Top End and in the southwest.
• The remainder of the Territory had average to above-average rainfall.

November was drier than average across most of the Top End, apart from parts of the Arnhem District which had near-average rainfall, and parts of the southwestern Top End which had average to above-average rainfall. The apparent cause for the rainfall deficiencies over the Top End was below-average seasonal thunderstorm activity, the primary mechanism for rainfall at this time of the year. Further south, rainfall was generally average apart from the southwest which had well below average rainfall, and the central west which had above-average rainfall. Rainfall in the southern half of the Territory was largely modulated by the location of low-pressure troughs, which acted as a focus for cloud development when sufficient tropical moisture was available.

Temperatures were well above average across the Territory. Mean daily maximum, minimum and mean monthly temperatures were all above average, with monthly records set in all categories. Some sites in the Top End recorded their highest November temperature on record. Mean daily maximum temperatures were particularly abnormal, with many sites seeing long-term temperature records exceeded. Another feature of the warmth was its widespread nature - mean daily maximum temperature records were set in nearly all districts. Mean daily minimum temperature records were confined to two sites, however — Yulara in the far south and Borroloola in the northeast.

Several locations recorded severe wind gusts (gust ≥ 90 km/h) associated with thunderstorm activity. Tindal RAAF base recorded a gust of 96 km/h on 29 November which is a November record. A gust of 120 km/h was recorded at Rabbit Flat — the strongest November gust observed at the site since 2000. Daly Waters Airstrip recorded a gust of 102 km/h which was its highest November gust since 2003.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

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

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* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a lower value has gone unreported.

* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top