Tuesday, 1 June 2010 - Monthly Climate Summary for Queensland - Product code IDCKGC24R0

Queensland in May 2010: Wet in the west, dry in the east

  • Below average rainfall in parts of the Peninsula, east coast and southern interior
  • Above average rainfall over western districts
  • Close to average maximum temperatures across the state
  • Cooler than average overnight temperatures over central and southern districts

Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Overview

Queensland experienced drier than usual conditions for May in the eastern parts of the state, areas of the Peninsula, and also over the southern interior. In contrast, only the north west and central west, and areas of the Channel Country received above average rainfall during the month. 

Warmer than average maximum temperatures were recorded in the southern interior and along parts of the tropical north coast. The rest of the state was within a degree of the long term average.

Cooler than average minimum temperatures were experienced over the southern half of Queensland, and up to 2 °C below average in the Maranoa and Warrego district. Northern districts recorded close to average overnight temperatures.

Rainfall

The state wide average rainfall was 15.68 mm, and below the long term average of 30.48 mm for May. Only the north west and central west, and parts of the Channel Country received above average rainfall in May.  

Patchy, light rain developed across the north west districts on the 15th and extended across the southern tropics and central districts on the 16th, due to an upper trough located over the Northern Territory. The rain then contracted to a band from the north west to the south east of the state by the evening of the 17th, before moving off the tropical coast and into the Coral Sea on the 18th.   

Another episode of patchy rain and isolated thunderstorms occurred in western and southern districts on the 24th, then contracted to south eastern and central districts on the 25th, due to a surface trough that swept through the southern districts during these two days.

The wettest single day was 137.2 mm at Southport Ridgeway Ave, 127.0 mm at Miami Bardon Av and 115.2 mm at Gold Coast Seaway, all on the 4th.   A weak surface trough that was located about the far southern coast produced some rain areas and local thunderstorms. Moderate to heavy rain fell over the Gold Coast and Hinterland, causing minor flooding to Mudgeeraba Creek on the afternoon of the 4th.

The wettest locations overall were Bellenden Ker Top Station with 372 mm, Point Lookout with 246.4 mm and then Gold Coast Seaway with 237.0 mm.

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

Temperature

Mean maximum temperatures across the state were generally close to the long term average.

Mean minimum temperatures were cooler than average over the central and southern parts of the state, with greater anomalies over the central coast, central and southern interior. The largest anomalies, up to 3 °C below average, were over the Capricornia coast. In contrast, parts of the north tropical coast were up to 2 °C above average, while the remainder of the northern districts were within a degree of the long term average.

Maximum temperature

The state wide average maximum temperature was 0.34 °C above the long term average of 24.44 °C.  

The hottest day was 35.6 °C at Julia Creek Airport on the 24th and the warmest days on average were 33.6 °C at Coconut Island.

The coolest days on average were 17.9 °C at Applethorpe and the coldest day was 11.1 °C on the 30th, recorded at both Applethorpe and Stanthorpe.

Some sites had their highest May temperature on record.

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

Minimum temperature

The state wide average minimum temperature was 0.28 °C below the long term average of 12.06 °C. 

A near stationary low pressure system near New Zealand produced a blocking pattern with a high pressure system situated about south eastern Australia that induced a deep, cool and dry southerly airflow over the southern half of the state. This pattern continued for several days with widespread morning frost areas about the southern inland area.  The coldest daily minimum temperatures were all recorded at Stanthorpe, with -3.5 °C on the 14th, -3.0 °C on the 13th and -2.7 °C on the 15th.  Stanthorpe also had the coolest nights on average, with the mean minimum of 5.0 °C.

The warmest nights on average were 26.2 °C at Coconut Island,  and the warmest night was 27.3 °C at Horn Island on the 5th. Some sites had their warmest May night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record.

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

Wind

The strongest wind gust of 74 km/h was recorded at Green Island on the 3rd, Hamilton Island Airport on the 9th, and Cape Moreton Lighthouse on the 23rd.

Further information

Queensland Climate Services Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
Phone (07) 3239 8700
Email climate.qld@bom.gov.au
Extremes in May 2010
Hottest day 35.6 °C at Julia Creek Airport on the 24th
Warmest days on average 33.6 °C at Coconut Island
Coolest days on average 17.9 °C at Applethorpe
Coldest day 11.1 °C at Applethorpe and Stanthorpe on the 30th
Coldest night -3.5 °C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade on the 14th
Coolest nights on average 5.0 °C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade
Warmest nights on average 26.2 °C at Coconut Island
Warmest night 27.3 °C at Horn Island on the 5th
Wettest overall372 mm at Bellenden Ker Top Station
Wettest day 137.2 mm at Southport Ridgeway Ave on the 4th
Highest wind gust 74 km/h at Green Island on the 3rd
74 km/h at Hamilton Island Airport on the 9th
74 km/h at Cape Moreton Lighthouse on the 23rd

Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Record highest May temperature
Highest temperature
in May 2010 (°C) 		Previous highest
for May		 Years of
record		 Average for
May
Kairi Research Station 29.0 on the 29th 28.8 on the 3rd in 2000 44 23.0
Walkamin Research Station 31.5 on the 26th 31.0 on the 20th in 2002 42 24.9

Record highest May daily minimum temperature
Highest daily minimum
temperature
in May 2010 (°C) 		Previous highest
for May		 Years of
record		 Average for
May
Cape Moreton Lighthouse 22.5 on the 1st 21.8 on the 14th in 1977 54 16.4

Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Summary statistics for May 2010
Maximum temperatures
for May
(°C)		 Minimum temperatures
for May
(°C)		 Rainfall
for May
(millimetres)
Mean for
May
2010		 Diff
from
average		 Highest for
May
2010		 Mean for
May
2010		 Diff
from
average		 Lowest for
May
2010		 Total for
May
2010		 Average
for
May		 Rank of
May
2010		 Fraction of
May
average
North Peninsula (district 27)
Coconut Island 33.6 +3.1 34.6 31st 26.2 +1.1 24.5 30th 25.6 69.7 average 37%
Coen Airport 31.1   33.4 26th 20.3   17.0 25th 1.2
Horn Island 31.1 +1.3 31.9 2nd 25.8 +1.2 22.2 27th 6.2 71.1 low 9%
Scherger RAAF 32.4   34.0 28th 21.8   20.0 25th 11.0
Weipa Aero 32.3 +0.5 33.6 28th 22.1 +0.9 20.5 24th 2.0 20.5 average 10%
South Peninsula (district 28)
Lockhart River Airport 29.4 +0.7 30.5 4th 23.2 +1.3 19.4 26th 58.2 110.4 average 53%
Musgrave 32.1 +1.4 34.0 26th 19.1 +2.1 16.9 8th 5.2 15.2 average 34%
Palmerville 31.2 0.0 32.6 25th 18.3 +1.0 14.1 31st 1.0 16.4 low 6%
Lower Carpentaria (district 29)
Burketown Airport 31.4   34.1 25th 19.1   12.1 31st 0.4 0.7 average 57%
Century Mine 30.4   34.6 24th 17.8   11.3 31st 5.2
Cloncurry Airport 28.9 -0.5 34.3 1st 15.9 +0.5 8.3 31st 26.8 6.0 v high 447%
Croydon Township 30.8 -0.9 33.3 4th 19.1 +1.2 11.5 28th 0.4 7.9 average 5%
Julia Creek Airport 30.3   35.6 24th 14.0   5.5 31st 15.4
Kowanyama Airport 32.3 +0.2 33.9 28th 20.3 +1.2 12.9 31st 0 11.2 lowest 0%
Mornington Island 29.7 +0.9 31.8 3rd 22.5 +2.3 18.5 31st 0 9.2 lowest 0%
Mount Isa Aero 27.5 -0.4 32.5 1st 14.5 +0.6 5.7 31st 34.4 12.8 v high 269%
Normanton Airport 31.3 -0.9 33.6 4th 20.0 +0.8 12.8 31st 1.8 1.3 high 138%
Sweers Island 28.8   31.0 1st 23.0   17.5 31st 0 3.6 v low 0%
Upper Carpentaria (district 30)
Georgetown Airport 31.4   33.1 1st 18.5   14.5 8th 0.4
Hughenden Airport 28.1 -0.6 32.7 24th 13.8 +0.6 3.3 31st 6.6 4.9 high 135%
Richmond Airport 29.3 -0.4 33.7 24th 13.3 +0.2 6.2 31st 5.0 6.2 average 81%
Richmond Post Office 29.4 +0.3 34.0 24th 14.0 +0.9 5.6 31st 7.2 15.1 average 48%
Barron North Coast (district 31)
Cairns Aero 28.4 +0.8 29.7 22nd 21.3 +1.4 18.5 16th 29.4 90.5 low 32%
Cape Flattery 29.3   30.0 30th 23.8   18.3 26th 46.8
Cooktown Airport 28.3 +0.5 31.3 26th 22.5 +1.9 18.3 26th 44.8 31.7 high 141%
Green Island 25.9 +0.1 27.2 26th 23.8 +1.3 22.3 13th
Kairi Research Station 24.1 +1.1 29.0 29th 16.2 +1.5 13.1 16th 22.2 57.7 low 38%
Low Isles Lighthouse 28.0 +0.4 31.1 29th 23.7 +0.9 22.9 28th 22.4 99.3 v low 23%
Mareeba Airport 27.7 +0.9 32.0 26th 17.8 +1.5 15.2 25th 3.2 7.4 average 43%
Walkamin Research Station 26.1 +1.2 31.5 26th 17.3 +1.1 14.5 15th 2.8 26.5 v low 11%
Herbert North Coast (district 32)
Cardwell Marine Pde 27.6 +0.5 29.9 29th 19.7 +2.1 14.4 20th 20.2 94.6 v low 21%
Ingham Composite 27.3 +0.2 30.0 29th 18.2 +0.4 13.8 20th 15.4 110.3 v low 14%
Innisfail 27.1 +0.7 29.2 28th 20.5 +2.2 17.4 16th 142.6 300.8 low 47%
Lucinda Point 25.6 -0.4 27.6 26th 21.8 +0.6 18.5 31st 12.0 63.1 v low 19%
South Johnstone Exp Stn 27.2 +1.0 30.3 26th     16.4 16th 38.6 264.6 v low 15%
Townsville Aero 28.4 +0.8 31.8 6th 18.4 +0.8 13.6 20th 0 32.5 lowest 0%
East Central Coast (district 33)
Alva Beach 27.1 0.0 29.2 6th 17.8 +0.1 11.8 31st 8.0 25.8 low 31%
Ayr DPI Research Stn 27.6 0.0 30.4 6th 16.1 -0.1 10.2 31st 6.2 41.9 low 15%
Bowen Airport 26.9 -0.3 29.4 2nd 17.0 -1.1 10.0 19th 10.6 42.9 average 25%
Collinsville Post Office 27.5 -0.1 30.7 25th 13.4 -0.4 7.2 31st 13.6 32.1 average 42%
Hamilton Island Airport 24.7   27.7 26th 20.9   17.3 18th 18.4 80.2 v low 23%
Mackay Aero 25.4 +0.2 28.7 26th 15.1 -0.4 8.1 31st 78.6 93.5 average 84%
Mackay M.O 24.6 +0.4 28.0 26th 16.9 -0.2 11.9 31st 37.8 106.3 low 36%
Proserpine Airport 27.0 +0.4 29.9 6th 15.0 -1.0 6.1 31st 14.8 70.4 v low 21%
Samuel Hill Aero 24.7 -0.3 28.1 6th 13.8 +0.8 6.8 31st 75.4 76.3 average 99%
St Lawrence 26.5   29.6 5th 14.1   6.2 14th 20.8
St Lawrence Post Office 26.9 +0.1 30.1 5th 14.7 -0.4 8.2 14th 19.1 47.6 average 40%
Williamson 25.9   29.0 5th 13.4   5.4 14th 29.2
Woolshed 23.5 -0.6 25.9 29th 14.2 -0.2 8.6 19th 3.8 15.9 average 24%
Yeppoon The Esplanade 24.1 -0.2 27.5 6th 14.8 -1.1 8.3 14th 26.4 74.4 v low 35%
West Central Coast (district 34)
Charters Towers Airport 27.3 -0.2 32.6 25th 14.8 -0.5 7.7 31st 5.9 20.4 average 29%
Central Highlands (district 35)
Brigalow Research Stn 25.1 -0.2 29.5 5th 9.5 -2.0 2.8 14th 9.1 47.0 low 19%
Clermont Airport 25.8   29.4 5th 9.5   3.4 31st 13.0
Clermont Sirius St 25.5 -0.6 29.6 5th 11.0 -0.5 4.6 31st 12.4 34.8 average 36%
Emerald Airport 25.6 -0.8 29.8 5th 11.7 -1.5 6.2 31st 12.4 18.4 average 67%
Springsure Comet St 24.7 -0.6 28.9 5th 9.9 -1.0 4.9 31st 13.6 35.5 average 38%
Tambo Post Office 24.8 -0.2 30.0 1st 7.6 -0.6 1.2 14th 26.9 34.4 average 78%
Taroom Post Office 25.2 +0.7 31.4 5th 8.7 -1.0 1.0 14th 36.0 40.5 average 89%
Central Lowlands (district 36)
Barcaldine Post Office 25.9 -0.1 30.3 5th 12.8 +0.5 6.2 31st 14.9 30.7 average 49%
Blackall Airport 25.7 -0.7 30.4 5th 10.7 +0.1 4.5 14th 30.4 12.1 high 251%
Isisford Post Office 26.7 +0.5 32.0 1st 11.9 +0.7 6.0 19th 25.2 28.8 average 88%
Longreach Aero 27.0 0.0 32.2 1st 11.4 -0.6 6.1 14th 37.0 27.1 high 137%
Upper Western (district 37)
Camooweal Township 29.0 +0.1 34.5 1st 14.9 +1.5 6.2 31st 12.6 11.0 high 115%
The Monument Airport 27.1 -0.7 33.0 24th 13.0 +1.4 5.6 31st 35.4 8.2 v high 432%
Trepell Airport 27.8   33.5 1st 13.3   6.1 31st 45.4 8.7 v high 522%
Winton Airport 27.3   33.3 24th 12.7   5.2 31st 27.0
Winton Post Office 27.1 -0.7 32.7 24th 13.7 +0.7 7.5 31st 24.3 20.4 high 119%
Lower Western (district 38)
Bedourie Police Station 26.0 -0.7 32.7 2nd 11.3 -0.4 5.5 14th 2.9 11.3 average 26%
Birdsville Airport 25.1 -0.8 32.0 4th 11.1 -0.4 6.2 14th 5.4 8.0 average 68%
Boulia Airport 28.1 +1.4 33.8 24th 12.1 -0.4 6.1 31st 6.8 13.0 average 52%
Windorah Post Office 25.5 +0.1 31.3 2nd 11.1 -0.2 6.6 15th 16.3 18.7 average 87%
Port Curtis South Coast (district 39)
Baralaba Post Office 25.6 -1.0 30.2 5th 10.8 -1.5 4.2 15th 9.6 41.5 low 23%
Bundaberg Aero 24.9 +0.2 28.9 12th 14.7 +0.5 9.1 15th 20.2 70.2 low 29%
Gayndah Airport 24.8   30.0 5th 10.3   3.5 15th 34.6
Gladstone Airport 25.6 -0.1 29.5 12th 14.8 -0.8 9.3 31st 13.4 34.6 average 39%
Gladstone Radar 26.1 +0.4 29.9 12th 16.4 -0.6 12.1 31st 12.6 58.7 low 21%
Lady Elliot Island 24.7 +0.6 28.2 1st 19.5 -0.1 13.6 15th 40.0 116.7 low 34%
Monto Township 23.8 -0.4 27.8 5th 8.9 -1.3 1.2 14th 22.9 45.2 average 51%
Rockhampton Aero 26.7 +0.7 30.6 6th 13.9 -0.3 6.9 14th 18.6 47.2 average 39%
Rundle Island 23.4 -0.1 26.5 12th 19.2 -0.2 15.9 31st
Sandy Cape Lighthouse 24.2 +0.1 27.5 5th 17.8 +0.3 14.6 13th 92.6 118.1 average 78%
Seventeen Seventy 24.9 +0.7 27.5 5th 16.6 -0.4 13.4 13th 30.0 106.7 v low 28%
Thangool Airport 25.5 -1.1 29.5 5th 8.2 -2.0 1.2 14th 9.6 39.9 low 24%
Moreton South Coast (district 40)
Amberley AMO 23.9 -0.1 27.5 1st 9.1 -1.0 1.3 14th 31.8 53.6 average 59%
Archerfield Airport 23.5 -0.4 27.4 5th 11.8 -0.1 6.0 14th 51.6 75.3 average 69%
Beaudesert Drumley Street 23.6   27.9 2nd 9.1   1.6 14th 44.8
Beerburrum Forest Station 23.9 -0.2 28.3 5th 12.9 +0.2 7.9 15th 62.4 124.3 average 50%
Brisbane 23.8 -0.8 27.9 5th 14.0 +0.5 9.7 14th 61.2 63.6 high 96%
Brisbane Aero 23.5 -0.1 27.1 12th 13.1 +0.3 6.1 14th 53.0 118.2 low 45%
Cape Moreton Lighthouse 22.3 +0.6 25.7 12th 17.1 +0.7 14.0 31st 118.8 171.0 average 69%
Coolangatta 23.3 +0.3 26.5 5th 14.0 -0.1 7.9 31st 165.2 150.5 average 110%
Double Island Point Lighthouse 22.3 0.0 26.5 5th 17.5 +0.2 13.5 31st 116.6 147.4 average 79%
Gold Coast Seaway 24.0 +0.6 27.9 12th 15.2 -0.2 12.1 19th 237.0 123.2 high 192%
Gympie 24.0 -0.5 28.4 5th 10.9 +0.1 3.5 15th 49.6 71.9 average 69%
Hervey Bay Airport 24.1 -0.1 26.9 12th 14.3 +0.2 7.7 31st 36.8 101.1 low 36%
Jimna Forestry 19.9 -0.9 24.0 5th 8.9 +0.2 1.1 14th 43.2 47.9 average 90%
Kingaroy Airport 21.8 -1.0 27.0 5th 6.9 -0.2 -2.0 14th 30.8 29.0 average 106%
Logan City Water Treatment 23.6 -0.4 27.6 5th 13.0 +0.6 6.5 14th 52.1 116.5 average 45%
Maleny Tamarind St 21.1 -0.1 25.0 12th 12.3 +0.6 8.8 31st 63.8 142.7 low 45%
Maroochydore Aero 23.9 +0.6 27.5 12th 13.1 -0.6 6.3 31st 47.2 173.1 low 27%
Maryborough 24.7 +0.1 28.1 12th 13.3 +0.2 6.6 31st 30.0 78.7 low 38%
Nambour DPI - Hillside 23.5   27.2 12th 13.6   7.6 14th 50.8
Point Lookout 24.8 +1.1 28.5 2nd 16.0 -1.0 10.0 15th 246.4 155.6 high 158%
Rainbow Beach 23.4 -0.4 26.2 12th       129.2 164.8 average 78%
Redcliffe 23.2   27.2 12th 14.3   9.0 14th 44.2
Tewantin RSL Park 23.5 -0.1 27.8 5th 14.6 -0.2 9.4 15th 115.4 174.2 low 66%
Toolara (Kelly) 23.2 -1.2 26.9 2nd 14.5 0.0 10.1 31st 80.6 101.3 average 80%
University of Queensland Gatton 23.9 +0.2 29.3 5th 9.7 -0.5 2.1 15th 29.2 46.0 average 63%
East Darling Downs (district 41)
Applethorpe 17.9 +0.5 23.2 2nd 5.1 -1.1 -2.3 13th 61.0 50.8 high 120%
Dalby Airport 22.9 -0.4 28.1 2nd 7.8 -0.7 -1.6 13th 17.6 38.3 average 46%
Goondiwindi Airport 23.1 -0.2 28.6 3rd 9.1 +0.5 1.1 13th 43.2 39.2 high 110%
Inglewood Forest 21.9 -0.8 27.3 2nd 9.6 +0.7 2.1 13th 52.6 32.6 high 161%
Oakey Aero 22.2 -0.1 27.0 5th 7.3 -0.7 -1.7 14th 13.0 40.4 average 32%
Stanthorpe Leslie Parade 18.4 0.0 23.6 2nd 5.0 -0.4 -3.5 14th 69.1 47.0 high 147%
Texas Post Office 22.4 -0.7 28.2 2nd 8.3 +0.3 -0.6 13th 58.8 39.8 high 148%
Toowoomba Airport 19.3 -0.7 24.6 5th 10.0 0.0 4.2 13th 27.8 33.5 average 83%
Warwick 20.6 -0.7 25.9 5th 7.3 +0.4 -2.6 14th 47.2 39.8 high 119%
West Darling Downs (district 42)
Miles Constance Street 23.4 -0.6 29.1 5th 7.5 -0.6 -0.6 14th 22.2 22.6 average 98%
Maranoa (district 43)
Injune Post Office 23.4 -0.1 29.0 5th 6.3 -1.6 -1.7 14th 34.2 33.3 average 103%
Mitchell Post Office 23.4 +0.3 29.4 5th 6.2 -0.9 -1.2 14th 29.0 32.6 average 89%
Roma Airport 23.5 -0.3 29.9 5th 6.5 -1.6 -1.3 14th 13.6 36.7 average 37%
St George Airport 23.1 -0.1 28.9 5th 8.3 -0.6 1.2 13th 11.2 29.2 low 38%
Surat 23.5 -0.1 29.7 5th 8.0 -0.9 0.0 14th 9.8 34.5 average 28%
Warrego (district 44)
Bollon Mary St 22.9 -0.1 28.2 3rd 7.8 -0.9 1.5 13th 17.9 32.7 average 55%
Charleville Aero 22.7 -0.6 28.3 4th 7.6 -1.4 1.2 14th 20.0 31.9 average 63%
Cunnamulla Post Office 22.6 -0.3 29.6 4th 10.1 +0.3 4.1 13th 24.8 30.2 average 82%
Far Southwest (district 45)
Ballera Gas Field 23.7   31.4 4th 10.1   4.6 14th 18.0 8.8 high 205%
Quilpie Airport 23.9 -0.1 30.5 4th     3.6 14th 18.0 27.1 average 66%
Thargomindah Airport 23.2 -0.7 30.8 4th 10.2 -0.9 4.5 14th 22.2 16.5 average 135%

Details Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notes

A Monthly Climate Summary is prepared to list the main features of the weather in Queensland using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated. Later information, including data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review, usually published in the fourth week of the month.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 9 am on Tuesday 1 June 2010. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

Averages are long-term means based on observations from all available years of record, which vary widely from site to site. They are not shown for sites with less than 9 years of record, as they cannot then be calculated reliably.
The median is sometimes more representative than the mean of long-term average rain.

The Rank indicates how rainfall this time compares with the climate record for the site, based on the decile ranking (very low rainfall is in decile 1, low in decile 2 or 3, average in decile 4 to 7, high in decile 8 or 9 and very high is in decile 10).
The Fraction of average shows how much rain has fallen this time as a percentage of the long-term mean.

Further information

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