Monday, 3 March 2008 - Monthly Climate Summary for Queensland - Product code IDCKGC14L0

Monsoon brings wet and cool conditions to much of the state during February. 

Summary

Wet weather continued in Queensland during February under the influence of a mature La Niña event in the Pacific basin. During the month, flash flooding caused havoc in the Capricornia, Central and North Coastal districts.  The active monsoon trough brought good falls to eastern districts and adjacent inland, and kept daytime temperatures cooler than average. The exception occurred in parts of the west and northwest which missed out on the rain, with below average totals and warmer than normal temperatures. 

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Rainfall

Rainfall totals for the month were above average over most of the east coast and adjacent inland as well as Cape York Peninsula and part of the Maranoa and Warrego. Some record high rainfall was recorded in the central coast and tropics. Many parts of the northwest of the state, however, received below average rainfall. Elsewhere totals did not vary significantly from average, apart from a few isolated pockets, largely due to the localised shower and thunderstorm activity.  Taking the state as a whole,  it was the wettest February since 2000.

A series of heavy rainfall events which affected parts of the northern tropics, central and southern regions, led to flooding in a number of river systems as well as localised flash flooding.  

Early in the month, an upper trough over the south east triggered showers with some isolated heavy falls. Hinze Dam in the Gold Coast Hinterland received 287 mm in the 24 hours to 9am on the 4th while Canungra recorded 247 mm.  

Further heavy falls with showers and thunderstorms saw a number of places record rainfall totals in excess of 150 mm in the Wide Bay and Burnett districts in the 24 hours to 9am on the 6th. 

During the 2nd week of February an active monsoon became established over the northern tropics. An embedded low pressure system triggered rain areas, scattered showers and storms which brought moderate to heavy falls about the Gulf and Tropics north of about Mackay and about the Capricornia coast over the following days, with many places recording daily totals over 200 mm.

Phenomenal rain caused flash flooding in the Mackay area on the morning of the 15th, with daily rainfall totals in excess of 600 mm recorded at a number of places. These include 625 mm at East Mackay, 615 mm at Gooseponds Alert and 610 mm at Mackay Alert.

The following day, the heaviest falls were received in the Herbert and Burdekin region.  Townsville recorded a daily total of 192 mm, Deeragun 442 mm, Black River 341 mm and Yabulu recorded 310 mm.

As the monsoon continued, locally heavy falls were recorded in the Capricornia on the morning of the 25th. Intense rainfall in Rockhampton, with over 100 mm falling in an hour led to flash flooding, while the Fitzroy river was already in flood. 

For the month, the wettest places were 1289.0 mm at Hospital Bridge Alert, 1254.0 mm at Greenmount Alert and 1235.0 mm at Mackay Alert.  All of these sites are in the Mackay area.

Brisbane's rainfall total of 216.8 mm compares to a long term average of 158 mm, and was the highest February total since 2003.   

Some sites had their highest total February rainfall on record.

Some sites had their lowest total February rainfall on record.

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

Temperature

Monthly Temperatures

Mean maximum temperatures were below average across most of the state except for the far west, and up to 4 degrees below average over the Maranoa and Warrego districts. 

Mean minimum temperatures were average along the east coast and adjacent inland districts, slightly above average in the far western districts and 2 - 3 degrees below average over the remainder of the state

A combination of rainfall and cloud cover kept the maximum temperatures at bay, but maintained slightly warmer than average minimum tempeatures especially over the north.  Some sites had their coldest February day (lowest maximum temperature) on record.

Taking the state as whole, it was the coolest February since 2000. 

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

Brisbane had a mean maximum of 29 degrees (equal to long term average) and a mean minimum of 20.9 degree (−0.3 below long term average).

Daily Temperatures

The south east of the state experienced hot westerly winds around the 23rd which kept the sea breeze offshore and brought near record temperatures of 40 degrees to Brisbane City, Brisbane Aero, Tewantin and Gold Coast Seaway.  Temperatures on this day were 8 - 10 degrees above the long term average.   See a map of daily maximum temperature anomalies on the 23rd.  Some sites had their highest February temperature on record.  

Further information

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

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Extremes

Hottest day Highest temperature	44.0°C at Birdsville Airport on the 22nd
Warmest days on average Highest mean daily maximum temperature	39.3°C at Bedourie Police Station
Coolest days on average Lowest mean daily maximum temperature	23.8°C at Applethorpe
Coldest day Lowest daily maximum temperature	18.8°C at Toowoomba Airport on the 26th
Coldest night Lowest temperature	8.5°C at Applethorpe on the 10th 8.5°C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade on the 10th
Coolest nights on average Lowest mean daily minimum temperature	13.9°C at Applethorpe
Warmest nights on average Highest mean daily minimum temperature	26.3°C at Coconut Island 26.3°C at Sweers Island
Warmest night Highest daily minimum temperature	31.7°C at Boulia Airport on the 23rd
Wettest overall Highest total rainfall	1289.0 mm at Hospital Bridge Alert 1254.0 mm at Greenmount Alert 1235.0 mm at Mackay Alert
Wettest day Highest daily rainfall	625.0 mm at East Mackay on the 15th 615.0 mm at Gooseponds Alert on the 15th 610.0 mm at Mackay Alert on the 15th

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Records

Record highest total February rainfall
	Total rainfall for February 2008 (mm)	Previous highest for February		Years of record	Normal for February
Rockhampton Aero	503.6	453.1	in 1942	69	142.6
Cardowan	375.2	354.9	in 1954	53	119.8
Carfax	347.1	335.7	in 1971	47	91.2
Waronga	240.4	204.2	in 1997	37	79.6
Moranbah Water Treatment Plant	347.4	316.2	in 1997	35	94.3
Proserpine Airport	1003.6	928.2	in 2000	25	348.0

Record highest February temperature
	Highest temperature in February 2008 (°C)		Previous highest for February		Years of record	Normal for February
Double Island Point Lighthouse	35.9	on the 23rd	= 35.9	on the 21st in 2004	47	27.6

Record lowest February daily maximum temperature
	Lowest daily maximum temperature in February 2008 (°C)		Previous lowest for February		Years of record	Normal for February
Injune Post Office	19.8	on the 25th	= 19.8	on the 15th in 2000	42	32.3
Mackay Aero	24.9	on the 18th	= 24.9	on the 2nd in 2007	22	30.0

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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 February 2008
	Maximum temperatures for February (°C)				Minimum temperatures for February (°C)				Rainfall for February (millimetres)
	Mean for February 2008	Diff from normal	Highest for February 2008		Mean for February 2008	Diff from normal	Lowest for February 2008		Total for February 2008	Normal for February	Rank of February 2008	Fraction of February normal
North Peninsula (district 27)
Coconut Island	31.4	0.0	33.0	12th	26.3	+0.5	24.0	23rd	216.8	272.2	low	80%
Coen Airport	31.4		34.7	6th	24.0		22.0	29th	383.8
Horn Island	30.1	–0.2	32.0	6th	25.0	0.0	23.8	20th	468.8	497.0	normal	94%
Scherger RAAF	30.2		34.5	4th	24.2		21.5	29th	582.8
Weipa Aero	30.1	–1.2	34.5	2nd	24.2	+0.1	21.8	29th	868.8	603.4	very high	144%
South Peninsula (district 28)
Lockhart River Airport	32.1	+0.8	33.8	15th	24.1	+0.5	22.4	29th	251.6	391.7	low	64%
Musgrave	32.5	–0.1	35.0	7th	24.3	+1.1	20.5	1st	375.6	293.2	high	128%
Palmerville	31.2	–1.4	33.7	6th	23.5	+0.8	21.4	1st	490.0	264.0	very high	186%
Lower Carpentaria (district 29)
Burketown Airport	34.2		37.7	28th	25.3		21.8	29th	89.0
Burketown Post Office	33.8	+0.2	37.2	28th	25.6	+1.0	22.1	29th	81.0	192.5	normal	42%
Century Mine	37.3		39.4	6th	25.1		22.2	3rd	92.6
Cloncurry Airport	38.5	+2.2	41.7	7th	25.4	+1.0	23.8	16th	9.8	103.1	very low	10%
Croydon Township	32.6	–2.0	36.6	4th	24.7	+0.8	21.0	29th	299.4	177.6	very high	169%
Julia Creek Airport	36.5		40.4	5th	23.5		20.1	9th	70.2
Kowanyama Airport	30.8	–1.5	34.6	5th	24.5	+0.3	22.0	29th	740.0	367.7	very high	201%
Mornington Island	32.0	+0.3	34.3	7th	25.6	+0.1	24.0	29th	424.6	303.7	high	140%
Mount Isa Aero	37.7	+2.3	40.7	6th	24.8	+1.4	21.5	14th	19.4	97.5	low	20%
Sweers Island	32.4		34.6	7th	26.3		22.0	29th	260.4	294.2	normal	89%
Toorak Research Station	36.8	+0.9	41.2	7th			19.7	18th	40.7	97.9	low	42%
Upper Carpentaria (district 30)
Georgetown Airport	32.1		36.2	3rd	23.1		19.9	2nd	342.6
Hughenden Airport	32.8		37.5	5th	22.7		20.5	21st	187.0
Richmond Airport	34.2	–2.3	38.0	4th	22.8	–0.3	20.3	21st	145.6	86.0	very high	169%
Richmond Post Office	34.0	–1.7	38.3	4th	23.1	+0.6	21.0	21st	160.8	104.1	high	154%
Barron North Coast (district 31)
Atherton Shire Council	27.8	0.0	31.0	6th	19.9	+0.6	14.5	25th	610.9	331.3	high	184%
Cairns Aero	31.1	–0.1	32.5	8th	24.3	+0.6	21.9	24th	535.6	449.6	normal	119%
Cape Flattery	31.1		32.9	7th	24.4		22.5	26th	303.2
Cooktown Airport	31.5		34.2	16th	24.3		22.2	18th	461.2
Green Island	29.7	–0.8	32.9	6th	25.1	–0.2	23.6	1st
Kairi Research Station	27.7	+0.2	31.0	6th	19.7	+0.2	15.5	23rd	663.3	269.3	very high	246%
Low Isles Lighthouse	31.7	0.0	34.2	6th	25.5	0.0	23.7	3rd	399.2	416.9	normal	96%
Mareeba Airport	29.7		32.9	7th	21.7		18.7	24th	576.6
Walkamin DPI	28.8	–0.2	31.7	7th	21.0	+0.6	17.5	24th	585.0	249.6	very high	234%
Herbert North Coast (district 32)
Cardwell Marine Pde	30.5	–0.8	32.8	8th	24.0	+1.2	21.8	23rd	350.5	466.3	normal	75%
Ingham Composite	31.2	–0.5	35.0	19th	23.3	+0.1	21.0	24th	396.3	454.5	normal	87%
Innisfail	30.9	+0.3	32.9	7th	23.9	+1.1	22.1	24th	669.4	596.1	normal	112%
Lucinda Point	29.6	–0.7	32.1	8th	24.7	–0.5	22.8	26th	324.0	201.2	high	161%
South Johnstone Exp Stn	31.0	+0.4	33.0	15th	23.4	+0.8	21.0	23rd	478.8	579.2	normal	83%
Townsville Aero	30.5	–0.5	32.4	19th	24.5	+0.4	23.1	1st	560.4	296.3	very high	189%
East Central Coast (district 33)
Alva Beach	30.3	–1.1	32.3	7th	24.2	–0.4	22.4	1st	673.0	200.0	very high	337%
Ayr DPI Research Stn	30.7	–0.8	32.9	7th	23.4	+0.7	21.2	24th	607.4	234.8	very high	259%
Bowen Airport	30.5	–0.9	33.7	7th	23.7	–0.1	21.7	24th	706.7	230.2	very high	307%
Collinsville Post Office	31.8	–1.0	34.6	24th	22.2	+0.4	19.4	2nd	510.0	161.5	very high	316%
Mackay Aero	30.4	+0.4	34.5	7th	23.0	–0.1	20.4	21st	443.8	367.6	normal	121%
Mackay M.O	29.5	–0.1	33.3	7th	23.4	+0.1	21.4	21st	929.4	319.9	very high	291%
Proserpine Airport	30.2	–1.0	35.0	7th	22.9	+0.2	20.7	24th	1003.6	348.0	highest	288%
Samuel Hill Aero	29.3		33.8	7th	22.2		18.6	21st	770.2
St Lawrence	30.0		34.4	8th	22.9		20.8	20th	477.4
St Lawrence Post Office	30.2	–1.3	34.7	8th	23.0	+0.6	21.0	20th	467.8	196.4	very high	238%
Williamson	30.4		33.9	7th	23.0		20.2	20th	436.0
Woolshed	27.3	–0.6	30.0	19th	21.0	+0.1	18.9	1st	702.2	266.8	very high	263%
Yeppoon The Esplanade	28.3	–1.1	33.3	7th	23.1	–0.8	20.0	20th	576.0	130.1	very high	443%
West Central Coast (district 34)
Charters Towers Airport	31.6	–1.4	35.5	8th	22.5	+0.1	19.9	1st	300.8	129.4	very high	232%
Moranbah Water Treatment Plant			41.1	23rd	20.8	–1.0	18.2	17th	347.4	94.3	highest	368%
Central Highlands (district 35)
Blackwater Water Treatment Plant	30.9	–2.6	36.5	24th	21.9	–0.5	18.5	19th	167.0	68.0	very high	246%
Clermont Sirius St	31.0	–2.0	36.5	23rd	20.9	–0.2	18.9	20th	255.8	114.8	very high	223%
Emerald Airport	31.0	–2.8	36.5	23rd	21.2	–1.0	19.2	18th	210.2	73.0	very high	288%
Rolleston Warrijo St	30.2	–3.8	36.8	24th	20.1	–0.7	16.9	10th	139.0	90.8	high	153%
Springsure Dame St	30.2	–2.3	36.2	23rd	20.1	–0.4	15.7	12th	161.8	108.2	high	150%
Tambo Post Office	31.2	–2.6	36.5	23rd	18.7	–1.3	13.0	29th	76.2	76.1	normal	100%
Taroom Post Office	30.7	–2.2	38.5	23rd	19.3	–1.1	14.9	10th	129.3	86.9	high	149%
Central Lowlands (district 36)
Barcaldine Post Office	33.2	–1.4	38.4	23rd	22.2	–0.5	18.5	29th	42.0	77.0	normal	55%
Blackall Airport	32.1		38.0	23rd	21.1		16.1	29th	62.2
Isisford Post Office	34.0	–1.9	38.8	23rd	22.0	–0.5	16.4	29th	96.9	72.7	high	133%
Longreach Aero	35.1	–0.7	40.3	23rd	21.9	–0.7	17.2	29th	16.4	77.8	low	21%
Upper Western (district 37)
Camooweal Township	38.7	+2.5	42.0	6th	25.4	+1.7	21.9	25th	87.6	90.9	normal	96%
The Monument Airport	38.4		41.5	22nd	25.7		22.2	29th	2.0
Trepell Airport	38.1		41.9	22nd	24.5		22.1	29th	43.8
Urandangi	39.2	+2.1	42.3	21st	24.4	+1.0	15.7	26th	18.0	64.0	normal	28%
Winton Airport	36.2		40.2	24th	22.6		20.1	29th	50.4
Winton Post Office	36.3	+0.1	40.0	23rd	22.8	–0.1	20.2	21st	53.2	86.2	normal	62%
Lower Western (district 38)
Bedourie Police Station	39.3	+0.9	43.6	22nd	19.3	–5.4	16.0	14th	67.5	35.9	high	188%
Birdsville Airport	36.2		44.0	22nd	23.8		17.6	29th	33.0
Boulia Airport	38.3	+0.9	41.5	22nd	25.6	+1.6	20.3	4th	23.7	51.1	normal	46%
Windorah Post Office	35.4	–1.2	41.5	22nd	23.3	–0.2	17.8	29th	17.0	49.3	normal	34%
Port Curtis South Coast (district 39)
Baralaba Post Office	31.2	–2.3	38.5	23rd	22.1	+1.0	19.8	1st	160.8	112.3	high	143%
Bundaberg Aero	29.5	–0.4	35.5	23rd	22.0	+0.7	19.8	18th	397.4	157.8	very high	252%
Gayndah Airport	30.0		38.3	23rd	20.4		17.3	8th	150.8
Gayndah Post Office	30.5	–1.6	39.0	23rd	20.6	+0.7	17.4	8th	159.1	106.2	high	150%
Gladstone Airport	29.6	–1.0	35.5	23rd	22.8	–0.2	20.8	21st	553.8	170.8	high	324%
Gladstone Radar	29.6	–1.4	35.2	23rd	22.5	+0.1	20.9	17th	451.0	141.5	very high	319%
Lady Elliot Island	27.9	–1.2	29.4	7th	24.2	+0.3	22.8	12th	269.4	169.2	high	159%
Monto Township	29.1	–2.2	36.8	23rd	19.6	+0.7	17.1	10th	192.9	112.0	high	172%
Rockhampton Aero	30.0	–1.2	35.6	23rd	22.5	+0.4	20.1	20th	503.6	142.6	highest	353%
Rundle Island	27.1	–1.3	28.9	21st	23.7	–0.9	20.7	17th
Sandy Cape Lighthouse	28.1	–1.2	31.4	8th	22.1	–0.3	19.8	20th	306.0	168.4	high	182%
Thangool Airport	30.8	–2.4	37.4	23rd	20.7	+0.9	17.6	21st	138.3	95.3	high	145%
Town of 1770	28.2	–1.0	31.2	9th	23.1	+0.5	21.0	19th	326.0	175.2	very high	186%
Moreton South Coast (district 40)
Amberley AMO	29.0	–1.4	39.5	23rd	19.2	–0.3	14.1	10th	134.0	121.2	normal	111%
Archerfield Airport	28.9	–0.8	39.5	23rd	20.0	–0.1	16.7	10th	155.6	152.0	normal	102%
Beaudesert Drumley Street	28.9		38.5	23rd	18.7		15.6	10th	121.4
Beerburrum Forest Station	28.6		39.9	23rd	19.5		15.9	10th	268.2	194.2	high	138%
Brisbane*	29.0	0.0	40.2	23rd	20.9	+0.3	18.5	15th	216.8	158.3	high	137%
Brisbane Aero	28.4	–0.8	39.8	23rd	20.5	–0.6	17.2	15th	193.0	118.1	high	163%
Cape Moreton Lighthouse	26.8	+0.1	29.8	23rd	22.1	+0.1	19.8	16th	78.2	158.6	low	49%
Coolangatta	28.1	0.0	36.4	23rd	20.4	–0.5	18.1	21st	245.8	166.2	high	148%
Double Island Point Lighthouse	27.8	+0.2	35.9	23rd	22.4	–0.1	20.5	6th	204.0	166.7	high	122%
Gold Coast Seaway	29.1	+0.8	39.7	23rd	21.2	–0.6	18.9	21st	147.6	169.1	normal	87%
Gympie	28.8	–1.6	39.1	23rd	20.1	+0.5	16.7	8th	165.6	167.8	normal	99%
Hervey Bay Airport	29.5		33.3	3rd	22.8		19.9	28th	184.4
Hinze Dam	27.7	–1.2	38.1	23rd	20.2	–0.2	18.2	11th	415.0	197.9	high	210%
Jimna Forestry	25.7		35.3	23rd	17.3		12.3	10th	167.6
Kingaroy Airport	27.3		36.0	23rd	17.6		12.2	8th	174.4
Logan City Water Treatment	28.5	–0.8	38.2	23rd	20.5	+0.3	18.0	10th	298.1	137.5	high	217%
Maleny Tamarind St	25.5		35.8	23rd	17.8		15.6	21st	391.2	312.9	high	125%
Maroochydore Aero	28.5	–0.1	38.7	23rd	20.9	–0.2	17.5	10th	248.6	176.8	high	141%
Maryborough	29.3	–0.9	38.1	23rd	21.5	+0.9	18.8	28th	371.6	175.5	very high	212%
Nambour DPI - Hillside	28.1		39.4	23rd	20.3		16.6	10th	283.6
Point Lookout	28.9	–0.2	33.0	23rd	21.7	–1.0	19.3	16th	170.0	134.9	normal	126%
Rainbow Beach	28.0	–0.8	37.0	23rd	22.3	+0.2	18.8	21st	290.4	211.1	normal	138%
Redcliffe	28.1		39.0	23rd	21.2		19.0	8th	212.2
Tewantin RSL Park	27.9	–0.5	39.7	23rd	21.5	–0.4	19.0	21st	217.2	221.6	high	98%
Toolara	29.8	–1.0	39.5	23rd	20.6	–0.1	18.8	21st	274.0	209.6	high	131%
University of Queensland Gatton	29.0	–1.7	38.4	23rd	18.5	–0.6	12.9	10th	205.0	100.8	very high	203%
East Darling Downs (district 41)
Applethorpe	23.8	–1.4	30.8	23rd	13.9	–1.1	8.5	10th	99.2	84.0	high	118%
Dalby Airport	29.4	–2.1	37.4	23rd	17.7	–0.9	12.2	10th	225.0	88.2	very high	255%
Goondiwindi Airport	30.2	–2.5	37.0	22nd	18.2	–1.6	12.3	10th	155.7	81.1	high	192%
Inglewood Forest	29.4		35.4	22nd	16.9		11.5	10th	124.2
Oakey Aero	27.7	–2.2	36.2	23rd	17.2	–0.4	11.2	10th	142.0	84.6	high	168%
Stanthorpe Leslie Parade	24.5	–1.9	32.0	23rd	14.2	–1.3	8.5	10th	101.2	85.9	high	118%
Texas Post Office	30.1	–2.6	36.7	22nd	17.6	–0.6	11.4	10th	131.4	77.0	high	171%
Toowoomba Airport	25.4	–2.2	33.9	23rd	16.6	–1.1	12.4	10th	97.6	114.2	normal	85%
Warwick	26.7	–3.1	34.6	23rd	16.1	–0.9	10.5	10th	184.4	68.2	very high	270%
West Darling Downs (district 42)
Miles Constance Street	30.7	–2.2	38.5	22nd	18.7	–1.4	12.3	10th	52.4	84.3	normal	62%
Maranoa (district 43)
Injune Post Office	28.9	–3.3	36.4	23rd	18.0	–1.1	12.0	10th	125.6	86.5	high	145%
Mitchell Post Office	29.8	–3.1	37.6	24th	18.2	–1.3	11.4	29th	66.8	70.8	normal	94%
Roma Airport	29.7	–3.1	37.1	22nd	18.0	–2.4	11.8	10th	67.8	81.9	normal	83%
St George Airport	29.7	–4.5	37.4	22nd	18.7	–2.6	12.1	29th	143.0	51.6	very high	277%
Surat	30.2	–3.3	38.3	22nd	18.8	–1.5	12.9	10th	74.6	72.5	normal	103%
Warrego (district 44)
Bollon Mary St	31.0	–3.4	39.1	22nd	19.0	–2.0	13.4	10th	79.8	53.1	high	150%
Charleville Aero	30.2	–3.7	37.0	22nd	19.4	–2.0	12.6	29th	73.2	68.4	high	107%
Cunnamulla Post Office	31.0	–3.9	39.5	22nd	20.0	–1.7	15.0	29th	175.2	50.8	very high	345%
Far Southwest (district 45)
Ballera Gas Field	34.1		42.9	22nd	22.8		16.6	29th	12.8
Quilpie Airport	33.2	–2.5	40.9	22nd	21.6	–1.7	16.1	29th	58.8	49.1	high	120%
Thargomindah Airport	32.8		41.7	22nd	21.9		17.7	12th	31.6

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Notes

Further information

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

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