Friday, 3 March 2023 - Monthly Climate Summary for Northern Territory - Product code IDCKGC12R0

Northern Territory in February 2023: wet and cool

It was the wettest February since 2014 for the Northern Territory overall, with the area-average rainfall 36% above average. Rainfall was above average for most of the Northern Territory away from the southern districts, but below average in the south-west. Overall it was the coolest February since 2014, with temperatures below average in most areas except the northern Top End.

Wettest February since 2014

• The Northern Territory area-average rainfall for February was 36% above the 1961–1990 average, the wettest February since 2014.
• Rainfall was above average for most of the Northern Territory away from the southern districts.
• Rainfall very much above average (wettest 10% of all Februarys since 1900) for much of the south of the Top End and in the eastern Barkly District.
• Rainfall was below average in the Lasseter District in the south-west.
• A few sites had their highest total February rainfall on record or their highest for at least 20 years.
• There was heavy rain and storms throughout the month during monsoon burst periods.
• The monsoon bursts were associated with strong Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) activity in the tropical Australian region, which was conducive to enhanced cloudiness and convection.
• The Northern Territory area-average rainfall for the wet season to date (October 2022 to February 2023) has been 69% above average; the fourth-highest October to February rainfall on record and the highest since 2000–2001.

Cooler than average temperatures

• The February mean temperature for the Northern Territory overall was 0.92 °C below the 1961–1990 average, the lowest since 2014.
• The area-average maximum temperature was 1.04 °C below the 1961–1990 average, the lowest since 2014, and the area-average minimum temperature was 0.83 °C below the 1961–1990 average.
• Mean daily maximum temperatures were below average for much of the Northern Territory, and very much below average (coolest 10% of all Februarys since 1910) in some central areas.
• Mean daily minimum temperatures were below to very much below average in central and southern districts, but above average across the Top End.
• Cloudy conditions during monsoon burst periods kept temperatures relatively cool throughout the month.
• Jervois and Territory Grape Farm had their lowest February mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years.
• Delamere Weapons Range and Arltunga had their lowest February mean daily minimum temperature on record.
• A few sites had their lowest February mean temperature on record or their lowest for at least 20 years.

Darwin Airport

• Total rainfall for Darwin Airport was 471.4 mm, which is 127% of the long-term average of 370.3 mm.
• It was the wettest February at Darwin Airport since 2017 (with 624.8 mm).
• The mean daily maximum temperature for Darwin Airport was 31.4 °C, which is 0.1 °C below the long-term average of 31.5 °C.
• The warmest day was 33.7 °C on the 16th, and the coolest day was on the 24th when the temperature reached 28.1 °C.
• The mean daily minimum temperature for Darwin Airport was 25.5 °C, which is 0.7 °C above the long-term average of 24.8 °C.
• The coldest morning was 22.7 °C on the 4th, and the warmest morning was on the 9th when the minimum temperature was 28.2 °C.

Alice Springs Airport

• Total rainfall for Alice Springs Airport was 4.8 mm, which is 12% of the long-term average of 41.5 mm.
• The mean daily maximum temperature for Alice Springs Airport was 35.7 °C, which is 0.5 °C above the long-term average of 35.2 °C.
• The warmest day was 39.3 °C on the 12th, and the coolest day was on the 4th when the temperature reached 27.6 °C.
• The mean daily minimum temperature for Alice Springs Airport was 19.1 °C, which is 1.6 °C below the long-term average of 20.7 °C.
• The coldest morning was 11.9 °C on the 5th, and the warmest morning was on the 24th when the minimum temperature was 23.2 °C.

Flooding along the Victoria and Daly rivers

• Late in the month two weak lows merged to form a stronger tropical low in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf.
• The tropical low moved south-east across the northern and eastern Kimberley in Western Australia before crossing into the Gregory District.
• The tropical low brought heavy rain over several days to the Gregory District and adjoining areas of the Daly and Tanami districts.
• A few sites had their highest February daily rainfall on record.
• The highest daily rainfall was 153.6 mm at Port Keats Airport to 9am on the 24th.
• The rain fell on soils already wet from heavy falls earlier in the wet season.
• Major flooding occurred at Kalkarindji on the Victoria River, and there was moderate flooding along the Daly River.
• Hundreds of people were evacuated from Kalkarindji, with roads closed and communities isolated in the Upper Victoria catchment.
• Heavy rain and flooding from this tropical low continued into early March.

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