Tuesday, 1 March 2022 - Monthly Climate Summary for Northern Territory - Product code IDCKGC12R0

Northern Territory in February 2022: dry in the north; wet and cool in the south

February rainfall was below average in the northern half of the Territory except the north-western coast, while rainfall was above average in the south. Mean maximum temperatures were close to average in the north except the north-eastern parts,which recorded above average maximum temperatures. In contrast, the south of the Territory recorded below average maximum and minimum temperatures.

Dry in the north, wet in the south

• February rainfall was 51% below the 1961–1990 average for the Northern Territory.
• Rainfall for the northern wet season so far (October 2021–February 2022) was above average in the north coast, and south in and around Yuedumu and Alice Springs, but below average in a large area across the Gregory and Carpentaria districts.
• Rainfall for the northern wet season so far was about 11% above the 1961–1990 average for the 5-month (October-February) for the Northern Territory.
• Victoria River Downs recorded a 5-month (October 2021–February 2022 ) total of 251.2 mm, which was about 400 mm less than (and 38% of ) its average rainfall for the whole season (October–April).
• A monsoon trough produced heavy daily rainfall in excess of 80 mm to 200 mm in the Simpson District in and around Alice Springs on the 2nd, Allambi and Undoolya had their highest February daily rainfall on record.
• A monsoon flow and associated tropical low which developed to Tropical Cyclone Anika in the Timor Sea, produced daily rainfall in excess of 100 mm in a number of coastal sites. Point Stuart had its highest February daily rainfall on record.
• Many sites in the Carpentaria, Gregory, Barkly and Tanami districts recorded less than 20% of February average rainfall with monthly totals not exceeding of 50 mm.
• Tindal RAAF recorded 36.2 mm in February, which was its lowest February rainfall on record. The previous record was 42.2 mm in February 1996.
• Tannent Creek Airport recorded 10.2 mm in February, which was 100 mm less than its February average rainfall of 114.1 mm.
• The Simpson and Lesseter districts recorded above average rainfall. Alice Spring Airport recorded 120.8 mm in February, which was the wettest February since 2010 (182.4 mm).

Cooler than normal days and nights in the south

• The mean maximum temperature was 0.26 °C above the 1961–1990 average for the Northern Territory.
• The mean minimum temperature was 0.85 °C below the 1961–1990 average for the Northern Territory, the lowest since 2012.
• Darwin and surroundings experienced a hot day with the maximum temperature at 35 °C or above on the 11th, and Channel Point had its highest February temperature on record
• Alice Springs had its lowest mean maximum temperature for February since 2002 and lowest mean minimum temperature since 1954

Darwin Airport

• Total rainfall for Darwin Airport was 340.6 mm, which is 92% of the long-term average of 368.9 mm
• The 5-month (October 2021–February 2022) rainfall for Darwin Airport was 1260.2 mm, which is about 420 mm less than (and 75% of ) its average rainfall (1678.3 mm) for the northern wet season (October–April).
• The mean daily maximum temperature for Darwin Airport was 31.7 °C, which is 0.2 °C above the long-term average of 31.5 °C
• The warmest day was 35.4 °C on the 11th, and the coolest day was on the 25th when the temperature reached 25.9 °C
• The mean daily minimum temperature for Darwin Airport was 24.4 °C, which is 0.4 °C below the long-term average of 24.8 °C
• The coldest morning was 21.9 °C on the 15th, and the warmest morning was on the 10th when the minimum temperature was 26.7 °C

Alice Springs Airport

• Total rainfall for Alice Springs Airport was 120.8 mm, which is 288% of the long-term average of 40.9 mm
• The 5-month (October 2021–February 2022) rainfall for Alice Spring Airport was 495.8 mm, which is about 278 mm more than (and 228% of ) its average rainfall (217.6 mm) for the northern wet season (October–April).
• The mean daily maximum temperature for Alice Springs Airport was 33.1 °C, which is -2.1 °C below the long-term average of 35.2 °C
• The warmest day was 37.5 °C, on the 28th, and the coolest day was on the 2nd when the temperature reached 23.6 °C
• The mean daily minimum temperature for Alice Springs Airport was 17.1 °C, which is -3.7 °C below the long-term average of 20.8 °C
• The coldest morning was 12.7 °C on the 5th, and the warmest morning was on the 1st when the minimum temperature was 23.3 °C

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

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

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

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top