4 January 2011 - Monthly Climate Summary for Queensland - Product code IDCKGC24R0

Queensland in December 2010: 

The wettest December on record

*Updated information*  Special Climate Statement 24 was first issued on the 7th Jan 2011 with updated details on the widespread flooding across eastern Australia in Dec 2010.

Queensland experienced yet another month of widespread rainfall under the influence of a strong La Niña and followed the wettest spring on record. Flooding continued across many southern and central Queensland river systems. Many significant weather systems affected the state bringing torrential rainfall at times and severe thunderstorms battered the southeast coast between the 15th and 18th. A weak category one tropical cyclone Tasha crossed the coast south of Cairns early on Christmas morning and continuing active monsoonal activity led to a wet Christmas period that culminated in one of the most widespread and significant floods in Queensland's history.

• The wettest December on record
• One of the most significant floods in Queensland's history
• Record flooding across southern and central catchments
• Queensland's first cyclone of the season, Tasha, crossed the coast south of Cairns on Christmas morning
• Severe thunderstorms with large hail in the southeast
• There were 26 high daily rainfall and 107 high December total rainfall records
• There were 16 low daily and low mean maximum temperature records
• There were 7 high daily and mean minimum temperature records 

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Weather Summary

At the beginning of December a slow moving high-pressure system over the Tasman Sea extended a ridge along the east Queensland coast, a surface trough lay through the western interior and an upper trough was approaching the state from the west. Moisture laden northeasterly winds extended to the inland trough and combined with the unstable upper atmosphere, showers, thunderstorms and rain areas developed across most of the state. Widespread rain areas with some heavy falls persisted for the next two weeks as a series of upper troughs moved through the state and enhanced existing or triggered new flooding in many river systems. The development of several near coastal surface troughs also enhanced the rainfall and moderated local winds. Fine conditions returned to western Queensland and gradually spread east as the final upper trough cleared the coast, though shower activity persisted along parts of the east coast and shower and storms over the northern tropics. Two of the heaviest daily falls during this period were at Escott Station in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria where 266 mm was recorded on the 11th from a line slow moving storms and at Mount Charlton with 228 mm on the 3rd. 

On the 15th the upper trough was offshore but upper temperatures remained cool and surface moisture remained high in the east, making conditions  unstable. A surface trough entered the the far south west and moved slowly east and scattered showers and thunderstorms developed to the east of the trough in the south over the next few days. Severe storms produced large hail, damaging wind and torrential rain in the southeast during the 15th and 18th. During the 17th a surface trough moved east into south-east Queensland and the following day a coastal trough moved north along the southern Queensland and combined with mid-level instability triggered showers and thunderstorms from north-west Queensland to the southeast.

During this time most of northern Australia, including all Queensland, was covered  by cloud  that developed near a deep low of the Western Australian coast and in a developing monsoon flow across northern Australia and was further developed and advected east by mid and upper- level troughs. Thundery rain developed across southern and central interior districts and the south-east with moderate to heavy falls and showers and thunderstorms  continued in the tropical north.

During the 20th upper trough activity was weakening and the surface trough pushed northward followed by a much cooler, drier air  and clear skies spread across southern Queensland and contracted the heavy rain to the north of the state. 

Following the extended period of wet weather over the previous weeks the following flood warnings were current for the 20th: Barcoo, Bulloo, Don, Condamine, Balonne, Moonie, Paroo, Warrego, the Fitzroy River basin, Brisbane River above Wivenhoe Dam, the Burnett Catchment, Mary River and Cooper Creek, Laidley and Warril Creeks and the Bremer River. 

A low pressure system deepened in the Coral Sea and formed into tropical cyclone Tasha  early on Christmas morning and crossed the coast about 5:30 am south of Cairns between the townships of Gordonvale and Babinda.  It was a weak category one system but brought significant rain to a broad area of northern Queensland. The active monsoonal conditions continue and further widespread and heavy rainfall affected northern, central and eastern Queensland during the Christmas period Christmas period leading to one of the most significant flooding events in Queensland's history. Theodore and Condamine were fully evacuated and 22 towns and over 200,000 people were affected. 41 local government areas were disaster declared with significant disruption to mining and agricultural and other industries expected to cost many hundreds of millions of dollars.

Tropical cyclone Tasha

Queensland's first cyclone of the 2010/11season, Tasha, formed early on Christmas morning near Agincourt Reef to the east of Cairns and crossed the coast about 5:30 am south of Cairns between the townships of Gordonvale and Babinda. It was a weak category one system but brought significant rain to a broad area of northern Queensland.

Very extensive flooding

Following very extensive and heavy rainfall periods during the past few months, river catchments were overwhelmed by further rainfall in December that culminated in one of the most widespread and significant floods in Queensland's history. Theodore and Condamine were fully evacuated and 22 towns and over 200,000 people were affected. 41 local government areas were disaster declared with significant disruption to mining and agricultural and other industries expected to cost many hundreds of millions of dollars. 

Abnormally high tides

Some parts of southeast Queensland had had tides 20-30cm above the normal expected tide before Christmas, easing off further north. This extra height pushed the tides above the high water mark on the highest tide of the day.The majority of this anomaly is thought to be related to La Niña when stronger than normal trade winds act to pile up water on the western side of the Pacific. These high tides were not King tides.

Rainfall

Area averaged across the state rainfall was the highest on record this December with 209.45 mm based the on the dataset beginning in 1900 and more than double the long term 1961 to 1990 baseline mean of 82.48 mm. The previous highest December record was 200.1 mm in 1975. Average or greater rainfall was recorded throughout the state, with all eastern and central districts receiving very much above average and large areas the highest on record. The continuing rainfall and further heavy falls after the wettest spring on record culminated in one of the biggest flood events to affect the state during the Christmas period. For many towns this would have been one of the biggest weather events in living  memory.

Rainfall anomalies of 200 mm or greater than average cover most of the Central Coast & Highlands, Port Curtis, Moreton and parts of the southern interior and Carpentaria with some parts more than 500 mm. Some of these areas had received more than twice the December average rainfall. All the near average rainfall was recorded in western far southern interior areas.The northern wet season which runs from October to April has already seen amongst the highest 10% of rainfall on record over almost all the state  and large areas have already exceeded the highest on record.

The wettest overall for December was Bellenden Ker Top Station with 1221.2 mm, followed by Mount Charlton with 1173.1 mm and  Mt Jukes with 1007.4 mm.

The driest overall was the southwest corner and Birdsville Airport recorded 2.0 mm.

Some sites had their highest total December rainfall on record. Some sites had their highest total December rainfall for at least 20 years. Some sites had their lowest total December rainfall on record.

The wettest single day was at Babinda Post Office with 294.0 mm on the 25th.

Some sites had their highest December daily rainfall on record. See a map of total rainfall. See a map of rainfall deciles.

Temperature

The warmest on average was Urandangi with 30.5 °C, followed by Birdsville Airport with 30.2 °C and Century Mine with 30.0 °C.

The coolest on average was Applethorpe with 18.5 °C, followed by Stanthorpe Leslie Parade with 19.2 °C and Toowoomba Airport with 20.1 °C.

Maximum temperature

The widespread and frequent rain bearing weather systems kept daily maximum temperatures well below average on many days in December. The mean maximum was within a degree of average over much of the northeast tropics and coastal fringe between Agnes Waters and the northern Sunshine Coast. For the remainder, mean maximum temperature anomalies were well below average and especially through the central and southern interior with a large part more than 4 °C cooler. The December  maximum temperature decile map depicts  lowest on record areas in the Central Highlands and southeast interior districts. This anomaly pattern is similar for the three-month period October to December 2010 and is a welcome relief from the normally hot periods experienced at this time of year. 

The hottest day was at Birdsville Airport with 43.2 °C on the 15th, followed by Julia Creek Airport with 42.7 °C  and Birdsville Airport with 42.6 °C on the 7th.

The warmest days on average were at Urandangi with 37.7 °C, followed by Bedourie Police Station with 37.6 °C and Birdsville Airport with 37.5 °C.

The coolest days on average were at Applethorpe with 22.6 °C, followed by Stanthorpe Leslie Parade with 23.3 °C and Toowoomba Airport with 23.7 °C.

The 3 coldest days were at Applethorpe with 16.5 °C on the 19th, followed 17.5 °C on the 3rd and 17.8 °C on the 4th.

Some sites had their coldest December day (lowest maximum temperature) on record. Some sites had their lowest December mean daily maximum temperature on record. Some sites had their lowest December mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years. See a map of mean maximum temperatures. See a map of maximum temperature anomalies.

Minimum temperature

Monthly mean the minimum temperature ranged from 24 to 27 °C along the northern coastline is to less than 18 °C the Darling Downs. Minimum temperatures were  1 to 2 °C  higher than normal in the tropics between Cairns and Mackay  and parts of the south-east and more than 1 °C lower than normal  across south-west Queensland.

The coldest night was at Applethorpe with 3.7 °C on the 21st, followed by Stanthorpe Leslie Parade with 4.5 °C on the 21st and Warwick with 6.5 °C on the 21st.

The coolest nights on average were at Applethorpe with 14.4 °C, followed by Stanthorpe Leslie Parade with 15.1 °C and Toowoomba Airport with 16.5 °C.

The warmest nights on average were at Willis Island with 26.5 °C, followed by Coconut Island with 26.1 °C, Low Isles Lighthouse with 25.5 °C and Sweers Island with 25.5 °C.

The warmest night was at Urandangi with 33.0 °C on the 27th, followed by Birdsville Airport with 29.4 °C on the 31st and Mornington Island with 29.0 °C on the 20th.

Some sites had their lowest December temperature on record. Some sites had their warmest December night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record. Some sites had their highest December mean daily minimum temperature on record. Some sites had their highest December mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years. See a map of mean minimum temperatures. See a map of minimum temperature anomalies.

Wind

The strongest wind gust was at Winton Airport with 107 km/h on the 7th, followed by Double Island Point Lighthouse with 102 km/h on the 16th, followed by Rundle Island with 100 km/h on the 3rd, followed by Cape Moreton Lighthouse with 100 km/h on the 28th.

Tornados

A tornado was reported at Alligator Creek between 10am and 11am on the 25th December. Alligator Creek is located between Mackay and Sarina.
A tornado touchdown at Richmond. Satellite imagery confirms thunderstorms moving over area between 5:30pm and 6:30pm.
A "mini tornado" was reported from Jimboomba on the 15th December during thunderstorm activity.

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Extremes in December 2010
Hottest day	43.2 °C at Birdsville Airport on the 15th 42.7 °C at Julia Creek Airport on the 5th 42.6 °C at Birdsville Airport on the 7th
Warmest days on average	37.7 °C at Urandangi 37.6 °C at Bedourie Police Station 37.5 °C at Birdsville Airport
Coolest days on average	22.6 °C at Applethorpe 23.3 °C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade 23.7 °C at Toowoomba Airport
Coldest day	16.5 °C at Applethorpe on the 19th 17.5 °C at Applethorpe on the 3rd 17.8 °C at Applethorpe on the 4th
Coldest night	3.7 °C at Applethorpe on the 21st 4.5 °C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade on the 21st 6.5 °C at Warwick on the 21st
Coolest nights on average	14.4 °C at Applethorpe 15.1 °C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade 16.5 °C at Toowoomba Airport
Warmest nights on average	26.5 °C at Willis Island 26.1 °C at Coconut Island 25.5 °C at Low Isles Lighthouse 25.5 °C at Sweers Island
Warmest night	33.0 °C at Urandangi on the 27th 29.4 °C at Birdsville Airport on the 31st 29.0 °C at Mornington Island on the 20th
Warmest on average overall	30.5 °C at Urandangi 30.2 °C at Birdsville Airport 30.0 °C at Century Mine
Coolest on average overall	18.5 °C at Applethorpe 19.2 °C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade 20.1 °C at Toowoomba Airport
Wettest overall	1173.1 mm at Mount Charlton 1007.4 mm at Mt Jukes
Driest overall	2.0 mm at Birdsville Airport
Wettest day	294.0 mm at Babinda Post Office on the 25th
Highest wind gust	107 km/h at Winton Airport on the 7th 102 km/h at Double Island Point Lighthouse on the 16th 100 km/h at Rundle Island on the 3rd 100 km/h at Cape Moreton Lighthouse on the 28th

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

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Record highest December daily rainfall
	Highest daily rainfall in December 2010 (mm)		Previous wettest for December		Years of record
Blackall Township	123.6	on the 8th	96.4	on the 31st in 2009	124
Pittsworth	114.0	on the 28th	100.1	on the 22nd in 1956	122
Comet Post Office	148.4	on the 3rd	136.4	on the 30th in 1962	115
Millmerran Post Office	97.0	on the 27th	94.0	on the 5th in 2003	111
Orion	153.4	on the 3rd	139.8	on the 28th in 2008	101
Birricannia	95.0	on the 27th	87.9	on the 18th in 1944	84
Drillham Post Office	81.0	on the 27th	66.5	on the 26th in 1971	77
Hannaford Post Office	102.0	on the 27th	90.2	on the 12th in 1942	72
Lanark	102.0	on the 23rd	100.1	on the 15th in 1965	71
Rewan Station	190.6	on the 27th	144.8	on the 11th in 1917	71
Condamine	148.0	on the 27th	96.6	on the 22nd in 1988	68
Wharton Creek Station	257.0	on the 27th	103.1	on the 22nd in 1956	64
Wyseby	247.2	on the 27th	119.6	on the 22nd in 1975	59
Carnarvon Station	273.6	on the 27th	124.5	on the 28th in 2008	56
Colodan	89.0	on the 20th	83.0	on the 12th in 1988	52
Glenwood	88.0	on the 23rd	60.5	on the 21st in 1973	50
Pormpuraaw Township	140.0	on the 27th	122.2	on the 11th in 2000	47
Woodgate Store	162.2	on the 28th	98.8	on the 21st in 1973	37
Builyan Gum Street	143.4	on the 28th	127.2	on the 18th in 1988	34
Childers South	139.4	on the 28th	136.0	on the 18th in 1988	32
Greenhaven	243.4	on the 25th	151.0	on the 24th in 1999	31
Dooruna Downs	85.0	on the 12th	72.0	on the 29th in 2000	25
Mackay Aero	131.8	on the 3rd	89.7	on the 26th in 1956	25
Ripple Downs	67.0	on the 12th	52.0	on the 5th in 1992	24
Traighli	109.0	on the 27th	70.0	on the 10th in 2002	23
Mt Pleasant Station	58.0	on the 12th	53.4	on the 7th in 2006	20

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Record highest total December rainfall
	Total rainfall for December 2010 (mm)	Previous wettest for December		Years of record	Average for December
Springsure Comet St	470.2	316.6	in 1975	143	93.0
Cape Moreton Lighthouse	375.8	372.5	in 1965	142	129.1
Blackall Township	254.0	246.8	in 1965	130	68.4
Gillespie	268.6	213.1	in 1916	130	63.2
Nanango Wills St	365.9	333.1	in 1970	129	105.3
Mitchell Post Office	319.4	253.9	in 1931	127	69.1
Mt Perry The Pines	584.8	365.4	in 1956	125	118.8
Pittsworth	433.6	297.5	in 1965	124	98.7
Cambooya Post Office	325.6	298.9	in 1895	121	100.9
Orion	380.1	350.0	in 1975	120	93.8
Balfes Creek Post Office	297.5	260.3	in 1906	118	76.6
Nerang Gilston Rd	481.2	392.8	in 1897	117	140.2
Comet Post Office	383.0	273.5	in 1956	116	81.6
Cooroy Composite	559.5	521.0	in 1926	115	163.2
Gin Gin Post Office	803.7	411.0	in 1970	115	127.4
Bauhinia Downs Store	475.2	270.6	in 1988	114	98.5
Clifton Post Office	359.0	261.8	in 1928	113	96.7
Jandowae Post Office	376.6	268.5	in 1921	113	97.3
Manly Railway Station	467.0	397.1	in 1970	113	123.2
University of Queensland Gatton	317.0	278.7	in 1942	113	99.9
Biggenden Post Office	558.9	441.4	in 1942	112	123.9
Howard Post Office	631.4	543.0	in 1926	112	123.4
Millmerran Post Office	312.0	264.0	in 1970	111	87.5
Herberton White St	446.2	416.0	in 1950	110	140.0
Hillgrove Station	399.4	254.6	in 2000	110	72.2
Laura Post Office	410.4	406.6	in 1976	109	149.2
Kenilworth Township	547.1	481.1	in 1926	108	151.4
Mt Garnet Post Office	330.4	327.0	in 1997	106	120.6
Eumundi - Crescent Rd	615.8	516.7	in 1926	104	166.2
Oxenford (Oberon Way)	542.2	493.8	in 1897	104	142.8
Mundubbera	428.6	321.7	in 1959	100	98.7
Tarome	523.4	449.9	in 1965	100	129.8
Yangan Post Office	374.4	292.0	in 1975	99	102.7
Mount Joseph	521.8	477.0	in 1926	98	133.0
Imbil Post Office	575.6	454.6	in 1926	92	147.9
Injune Post Office	349.9	280.4	in 1931	86	89.6
Baralaba Post Office	461.2	353.9	in 1973	85	103.9
Moogerah Dam	363.8	308.8	in 1921	85	125.4
Gregory Springs Station	350.2	315.4	in 2000	82	97.7
Byfield Childs Road	770.0	651.9	in 1962	81	175.5
Thangool Airport	374.4	344.4	in 1973	80	94.2
Drillham Post Office	278.6	224.4	in 2005	77	88.9
Peakvale Station	331.0	288.5	in 1975	76	82.0
Proston Post Office	399.0	282.3	in 1970	74	98.7
Collinsville Post Office	425.9	410.4	in 1956	72	99.6
Lady Elliot Island	510.0	383.4	in 1962	72	91.6
Rewan Station	587.2	408.1	in 1921	72	123.1
Lanark	462.0	328.2	in 1947	69	97.7
Meandarra Post Office	314.2	231.0	in 1971	69	69.6
Monto Township	499.0	248.5	in 1970	69	95.9
Glen Harding	401.5	362.0	in 1997	65	109.1
Wharton Creek Station	452.0	307.0	in 1956	64	88.0
Abercorn	483.6	281.2	in 1959	61	95.3
Dunollie	393.2	249.5	in 1955	61	94.6
Wyseby	603.2	339.0	in 1970	59	107.5
Carnarvon Station	535.8	238.9	in 1927	58	103.4
Ellangowan	308.6	263.6	in 1975	58	98.1
Brian Pastures	480.3	256.1	in 1970	55	107.4
Elphinstone Pocket No1	698.2	559.6	in 1975	55	164.1
Havelock	322.4	214.0	in 2007	55	78.4
Glenwood	412.4	257.3	in 1956	54	94.1
Wandoan Post Office	413.0	357.8	in 1970	54	100.0
The Head	412.0	292.8	in 1970	53	131.8
Bundaberg Aero	573.2	480.3	in 1962	52	128.9
Colodan	493.0	266.3	in 1973	52	99.8
Tosari	349.0	209.8	in 1965	52	93.0
Monduran	507.6	362.9	in 1973	50	112.9
Broadleigh Downs	216.8	196.8	in 2000	48	79.2
Possum Park	431.0	253.1	in 1942	46	106.0
Walkamin Research Station	378.4	291.2	in 1988	46	125.3
Woolooga	412.4	387.3	in 1988	46	133.3
Namarah	179.8	151.1	in 1970	45	73.0
Caltex Refineries (QLD) Ltd	499.9	425.2	in 1970	44	133.6
Brigalow Research Stn	382.0	361.2	in 1975	43	108.3
Long Pocket CSIRO Lab	453.4	403.6	in 1970	43	130.5
Oakey Aero	304.2	187.5	in 1970	41	97.4
Strathtay Station	369.4	260.0	in 2000	41	88.6
Maroon Dam	359.6	350.4	in 1974	40	138.3
Miami Bardon Ave	627.4	400.0	in 1983	40	167.5
Capalaba Water Treat	292.6	253.2	in 1995	39	129.6
Macalister	306.4	198.6	in 1993	39	95.7
Moranbah Water Treatment Plant	350.0	318.2	in 1991	38	101.4
Woodgate Store	420.8	338.4	in 1970	36	113.6
Carneys Creek The Ranch	446.0	337.8	in 1978	35	148.7
Hinze Dam	496.6	424.0	in 1991	35	162.7
Turrawulla Station	534.9	304.1	in 1990	35	119.8
Lawnton Colonial Drive	500.6	302.2	in 1988	34	139.1
Boondall	433.6	273.7	in 1988	33	136.1
Builyan Gum Street	608.4	264.0	in 1988	33	128.9
Embreys Bridge	248.2	238.2	in 1991	33	107.2
Oakington	373.0	260.0	in 1981	33	123.7
Childers South	701.3	340.0	in 1988	32	128.0
Greenhaven	596.4	461.4	in 1997	31	224.2
Greenslopes Private Hospital	469.4	233.0	in 1980	31	117.8
Springbrook Road	704.6	614.5	in 1988	29	249.8
Coolangatta	493.8	361.4	in 2004	28	152.9
Maclean Bridge	335.4	277.4	in 1991	28	142.3
Cherry Park	152.0	132.8	in 1999	26	72.8
Dooruna Downs	299.2	167.0	in 2000	25	63.9
Mackay Aero	669.0	380.2	in 1956	25	131.8
Roma Airport	233.6	174.8	in 1995	25	78.2
Corbould Pk Racecourse	689.5	316.0	in 1988	24	184.4
Seventeen Seventy	516.2	331.2	in 1988	24	142.8
Ripple Downs	190.0	164.2	in 2003	22	84.4
Traighli	278.8	141.7	in 1997	22	93.6
Brisbane RPA Hospital	462.6	243.8	in 2004	21	141.7
Cooby Creek Dam	285.0	160.4	in 1995	20	97.4

Highest total December rainfall for at least 20 years
	Total rainfall for December 2010 (mm)	Most recent December at least this wet		Years since wetter	Average for December
Killarney Post Office	267.2	276.4	in 1897	113	93.0
Greenvale Township	273.8	443.7	in 1917	91	95.3
Mount Larcom Post Office	574.8	851.3	in 1921	89	132.8
Rosedale Post Office	564.5	630.9	in 1921	89	130.9
Maryborough	477.2	551.4	in 1926	84	128.4
Barcaldine Post Office	227.7	256.1	in 1927	83	64.4
Goomboorian	570.0	672.6	in 1926	82	146.5
Gympie	544.2	584.5	in 1926	82	138.4
Sandy Cape Lighthouse	341.7	428.3	in 1933	77	98.4
Jondaryan Post Office	248.2	251.1	in 1942	68	88.1
Surat	209.2	258.0	in 1942	68	71.8
Mt Douglas	231.0	312.3	in 1942	67	81.4
Haden Post Office	320.5	331.7	in 1943	65	103.8
Double Island Point Lighthouse	340.4	356.4	in 1943	64	130.8
Hannaford Post Office	209.2	242.6	in 1942	60	74.5
Bogarella	202.0	237.2	in 1942	57	77.2
Anakie Richardson St	373.6	447.5	in 1956	54	91.3
Tuan Creek Forest Stn	389.2	499.6	in 1956	54	136.0
Tinaroo Falls Dam	321.2	345.0	in 1959	51	129.8
Lands End Station	251.8	284.5	in 1960	50	63.0
Gladstone Radar	434.0	508.9	in 1962	47	134.5
Wallumbilla Post Office	221.4	248.2	in 1961	47	75.8
Gilberton	268.0	270.1	in 1964	46	107.5
Capella Post Office	223.1	257.3	in 1965	44	84.3
Alderley	442.4	536.3	in 1970	40	137.2
Blackbutt Post Office	286.5	401.8	in 1970	40	109.9
Chinchilla Water Treatment Plant	313.7	432.6	in 1970	40	92.3
Lindfield	400.2	415.9	in 1970	40	127.4
Maleny Tamarind St	711.2	728.9	in 1970	40	199.9
Woleebee Nevasa	280.0	286.6	in 1970	40	87.6
Woodspring	163.9	330.7	in 1970	40	89.5
Yarraman Post Office	332.2	343.9	in 1970	40	110.0
Beerburrum Forest Station	531.4	901.6	in 1970	39	160.5
Crows Nest	263.9	291.8	in 1970	39	106.9
Palmwoods	620.2	686.1	in 1970	39	173.5
Warkon	190.2	217.4	in 1971	39	70.8
Archerfield Airport	354.6	444.0	in 1970	38	128.7
Pechey Forestry	242.4	254.7	in 1970	38	119.9
Ravenswood Post Office	352.1	661.4	in 1971	38	84.2
Redlands HRS	319.6	423.7	in 1970	38	140.5
Moura Post Office	293.2	327.1	in 1973	37	100.8
Mt Sophia	735.0	1289.0	in 1973	37	283.5
Rockley	741.8	870.0	in 1973	37	132.4
Mount McConnell	254.4	261.2	in 1973	36	86.9
Somerby	409.3	473.8	in 1973	36	101.7
Taroom Post Office	360.2	380.9	in 1970	36	90.6
Alpha Post Office	190.6	239.6	in 1975	35	77.5
Cardwell Marine Pde	564.3	591.8	in 1975	35	195.9
Dalveen	232.2	271.6	in 1975	35	108.3
Forsayth Caravan Park	342.0	451.5	in 1973	35	129.2
Gue	198.8	254.6	in 1975	35	62.8
Hawkins Creek	665.6	715.0	in 1975	35	211.4
Ingham Composite	633.7	792.6	in 1975	35	203.9
Rocky Point Sugar Mill	367.8	486.1	in 1970	35	141.8
Toomba Stud	220.4	272.2	in 1975	35	83.4
Upper Stone Exelby	662.8	764.6	in 1975	35	139.5
Victoria Sugar Mill	620.5	644.0	in 1975	35	178.2
Bambaroo	648.4	990.6	in 1975	34	190.3
Croydon Township	281.6	302.8	in 1976	34	116.3
Eastmere	150.0	422.0	in 1975	34	65.1
Rollingstone	519.0	892.8	in 1975	34	190.1
Holmleigh	163.4	282.5	in 1975	33	68.2
Applethorpe	212.2	217.8	in 1975	32	97.8
Kareeya	504.2	542.3	in 1973	32	155.6
Mutarnee Store	539.4	636.4	in 1976	32	224.5
Paluma Ivy Cottage	849.2	935.0	in 1976	31	307.2
Bingil Bay	572.4	728.8	in 1975	30	208.1
Highvale	307.6	374.2	in 1970	30	127.0
Stanthorpe Leslie Parade	195.3	207.6	in 1975	29	94.1
Mantuan Downs	174.0	256.4	in 1975	26	84.6
Boothulla	140.0	176.5	in 1931	24	44.9
Condamine	212.0	226.4	in 1988	22	80.4
Mt Tamborine Fern St	576.2	638.6	in 1988	22	166.4
South Johnstone Exp Stn	586.6	595.0	in 1988	22	264.0
Glenelg	158.5	211.4	in 1989	21	85.6
Beaudesert Cryna	313.8	339.4	in 1988	20	120.1
Broadmeadows	445.0	501.8	in 1990	20	145.5
Clermont Sirius St	189.6	196.7	in 1990	20	92.5
Doraville Station	755.7	1174.6	in 1990	20	203.2
Hecate	711.4	1086.6	in 1990	20	172.4
Mackay M.O	715.6	1158.6	in 1990	20	190.2
Mornington Island	282.2	313.0	in 1987	20	157.6
Pacific Heights	526.8	611.0	in 1990	20	145.8
Proserpine Airport	622.6	1076.6	in 1990	20	174.7
Rockhampton Aero	518.4	533.4	in 1990	20	108.5
Roma Peak	575.2	835.4	in 1990	20	146.8
St Lawrence Post Office	559.8	613.2	in 1990	20	125.5
Te Kowai Exp Stn	352.7	1310.6	in 1990	20	181.9
Walterhall	410.4	558.8	in 1990	20	112.7
Warden Bend	455.2	905.0	in 1990	20	135.3
Yaamba	483.0	727.2	in 1990	20	115.4

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Record lowest December daily maximum temperature
	Lowest daily maximum temperature in December 2010 (°C)		Previous coolest for December		Years of record	Average for December
Surat	19.9	on the 19th	20.0	on the 27th in 1999	45	33.9
Texas Post Office	20.5	on the 19th	20.6	on the 27th in 1999	41	32.8

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Record lowest December mean daily maximum temperature
	Mean daily maximum temperature for December 2010 (°C)	Previous coolest for December		Years of record	Average for December
Tambo Post Office	30.8	30.9	in 1960	78	34.9
St Lawrence Post Office	29.6	= 29.6	in 1965	70	31.5
Amberley AMO	27.8	27.9	in 1942	69	30.9
Charleville Aero	31.1	= 31.1	in 1999	68	34.7
Stanthorpe Leslie Parade	23.3	24.0	in 1962	67	27.1
Surat	29.2	29.3	in 1942	62	33.9
Springsure Comet St	29.4	30.1	in 1942	59	34.2
Taroom Post Office	29.6	30.0	in 1983	58	33.5
Injune Post Office	28.7	29.9	in 1999	43	33.3
Applethorpe	22.6	= 22.6	in 1983	41	25.8
Texas Post Office	28.6	29.6	in 1999	40	32.8
Baralaba Post Office	31.1	32.0	in 2000	37	34.1
Oakey Aero	26.4	27.1	in 1999	37	30.4
Monto Township	28.6	29.9	in 1962	35	32.1

Lowest December mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years
	Mean daily maximum temperature for December 2010 (°C)	Most recent December at least this cool		Years since cooler	Average for December
Clermont Sirius St	30.5	29.6	in 1916	89	34.9
University of Queensland Gatton	27.8	27.3	in 1927	72	31.3
Mitchell Post Office	29.7	28.8	in 1942	57	33.8
Rockhampton Aero	29.9	29.2	in 1965	45	32.1
Lady Elliot Island	27.7	=27.7	in 1968	42	28.6

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Record highest December daily minimum temperature
	Highest daily minimum temperature in December 2010 (°C)		Previous warmest for December		Years of record	Average for December
Urandangi	33.0	on the 27th	32.0	on the 27th in 1972	52	22.8
Mackay Aero	27.0	on the 19th	26.9	on the 10th in 2001	25	22.1

---

Record lowest December temperature
	Lowest temperature in December 2010 (°C)		Previous coolest for December		Years of record	Average for December
Applethorpe	3.7	on the 21st	4.0	on the 5th in 1984	42	13.8

---

Record highest December mean daily minimum temperature
	Mean daily minimum temperature for December 2010 (°C)	Previous warmest for December		Years of record	Average for December
Innisfail	24.2	= 24.2	in 2008	101	22.0
South Johnstone Exp Stn	23.7	23.5	in 2008	54	21.8
Walkamin Research Station	21.0	= 21.0	in 2003	42	19.8
Mackay Aero	23.4	23.0	in 2001	24	22.1
Proserpine Airport	23.1	23.0	in 1988	21	21.8

Highest December mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years
	Mean daily minimum temperature for December 2010 (°C)	Most recent December at least this warm		Years since warmer	Average for December
Musgrave	23.9	24.2	in 1910	37	22.7

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

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Summary statistics for December 2010
	Maximum temperatures for December (°C)				Minimum temperatures for December (°C)				Rainfall for December (millimetres)
	Mean for December 2010	Diff from average	Highest for December 2010		Mean for December 2010	Diff from average	Lowest for December 2010		Total for December 2010	Average for December	Rank of December 2010	Fraction of December average
North Peninsula (district 27)
Coconut Island	32.3	-0.7	34.6	19th	26.1	0.0	23.8	24th	320.2	151.7	high	211%
Coen Airport	33.2		35.2	12th	24.0		22.4	22nd	323.8	130.1	v high	249%
Horn Island	31.2	-0.5	32.8	10th	25.2	-0.5	23.7	16th	381.6	207.2	high	184%
Scherger RAAF	33.1		35.8	6th	24.1		22.7	3rd	379.0
Weipa Aero	32.8	-1.0	35.5	6th	24.1	-0.1	23.0	20th	452.8	289.7	v high	156%
South Peninsula (district 28)
Lockhart River Airport	32.1	-0.1	34.3	19th	23.8	+0.3	22.3	23rd	292.2	206.8	high	141%
Musgrave	34.1	-0.7	36.7	4th	23.9	+1.2	22.5	3rd	412.1	180.2	v high	229%
Palmerville	33.2	-2.1	35.4	5th	23.2	+0.6	22.1	22nd	238.6	158.6	high	150%
Lower Carpentaria (district 29)
Burketown Airport	34.5	-2.2	39.3	14th	24.3	-1.4	19.8	3rd	237.2	76.5	v high	310%
Century Mine	36.3		42.3	5th	23.7		15.4	3rd	140.0
Cloncurry Airport	35.6	-3.2	42.2	6th	23.5	-1.4	16.7	1st	163.6	82.2	high	199%
Croydon Township	34.7	-2.6	38.5	4th	23.9	-0.7	20.5	1st	281.6	116.3	v high	242%
Julia Creek Airport	36.2	-3.9	42.7	5th	22.5	-1.6	14.1	1st	153.2	52.3	v high	293%
Kowanyama Airport	33.9	-1.0	37.4	7th	24.6	+0.3	22.8	3rd	403.2	173.6	v high	232%
Mornington Island	32.7	-0.5	37.2	14th	25.3	-0.9	22.3	3rd	282.2	157.6	v high	179%
Mount Isa Aero	35.3	-1.9	40.9	5th	21.6	-1.5	14.6	3rd	84.2	69.4	average	121%
Normanton Airport	34.5	-2.0	38.0	8th	24.5	-1.5	22.1	1st	359.8	138.1	v high	261%
Sweers Island	32.2	-1.7	34.5	14th	25.5	-1.6	22.8	21st	412.0	170.9	high	241%
Upper Carpentaria (district 30)
Georgetown Airport	33.1		36.2	6th			21.3	1st	175.8
Hughenden Airport	33.8	-3.9	38.4	5th	22.3	-1.2	17.3	1st	231.4	77.5	v high	299%
Richmond Airport	34.9	-3.4	40.1	5th	22.3	-1.2	15.9	1st	139.6	63.7	v high	219%
Richmond Post Office	35.1	-3.0	40.7	5th	22.8	+0.4	16.4	1st	169.5	71.0	v high	239%
Barron North Coast (district 31)
Cairns Aero	31.7	+0.3	34.8	19th	24.2	+0.8	23.0	8th	362.2	181.2	v high	200%
Cooktown Airport	31.9	-0.4	35.7	20th	24.2	-0.4	22.5	22nd	143.6	152.3	average	94%
Low Isles Lighthouse	32.2	-0.1	35.0	20th	25.5	+0.2	22.6	23rd	528.4	209.8	v high	252%
Mareeba Airport	31.1	-1.0	33.5	5th	21.8	+0.9	20.2	4th	324.4	107.2	v high	303%
Walkamin Research Station	30.0	-0.6	32.9	17th	21.0	+1.2	18.9	4th	378.4	125.3	highest	302%
Herbert North Coast (district 32)
Cardwell Marine Pde	32.2	+0.7	35.0	20th	23.9	+1.7	21.0	1st	564.3	195.9	v high	288%
Ingham Composite	31.9	-0.6	35.0	20th	23.6	+1.6	21.5	23rd	633.7	203.9	v high	311%
Innisfail	31.1	+0.3	33.7	19th	24.2	+2.2	22.2	4th	461.2	265.1	high	174%
Lucinda Point	29.9	+0.2	31.7	20th	24.9	-0.4	22.3	24th	363.2	96.5	v high	376%
South Johnstone Exp Stn	31.3	+0.1	33.8	20th	23.7	+1.9	21.7	4th	586.6	264.0	v high	222%
Townsville Aero	30.8	-0.7	33.9	13th	24.6	+0.5	22.8	1st	386.4	131.4	v high	294%
East Central Coast (district 33)
Alva Beach	30.4	-0.6	32.9	13th	24.7	-0.1	22.0	3rd	364.4	116.0	v high	314%
Ayr DPI Research Stn	31.3	-0.7	34.7	13th	23.6	+1.6	21.9	3rd	319.0	106.9	v high	298%
Bowen Airport	30.3	-1.1	32.6	18th	23.5	0.0	20.9	4th	543.5	153.7	v high	354%
Collinsville Post Office	32.0	-2.0	35.2	13th	22.5	+1.2	19.9	7th	425.9	99.6	highest	428%
Hamilton Island Airport	28.8		31.0	18th	24.1		21.5	4th	517.2	125.7	v high	411%
Mackay Aero	29.3	-1.4	33.1	18th	23.4	+1.3	20.8	4th	669.0	131.8	highest	508%
Mackay M.O	28.9	-1.2	32.8	18th	23.6	+0.7	21.3	1st	715.6	190.2	v high	376%
Proserpine Airport	30.3	-1.8	33.8	18th	23.1	+1.3	21.0	1st	622.6	174.7	v high	356%
Samuel Hill Aero	29.1	-1.9	32.4	18th	22.1	+2.4	19.9	16th	665.0	180.7	v high	368%
St Lawrence	29.6		33.7	13th	23.0		20.1	1st	548.8
St Lawrence Post Office	29.6	-1.9	33.9	13th	23.1	+1.4	20.0	1st	559.8	125.5	v high	446%
Williamson	29.5		32.9	18th	23.0		20.1	1st	592.0
Woolshed	28.4	-0.5	31.6	13th	21.1	+0.7	18.6	1st	281.8	112.6	high	250%
Yeppoon The Esplanade	28.2	-0.6	34.2	18th	23.1	+0.3	20.5	4th	459.8	131.0	v high	351%
West Central Coast (district 34)
Charters Towers Airport	32.2	-2.3	36.2	18th	22.3	+0.3	20.0	5th	231.5	83.0	v high	279%
Moranbah Water Treatment Plant	30.9	-3.2	35.6	16th	21.7	+0.6	19.0	1st	350.0	101.4	highest	345%
Central Highlands (district 35)
Clermont Airport	31.0		35.9	16th	21.2		18.8	2nd	194.8
Clermont Sirius St	30.5	-4.4	35.7	16th	21.3	+0.5	18.7	1st	189.6	92.5	v high	205%
Emerald Airport	30.8	-3.6	36.4	16th	21.2	-0.2	18.5	21st	263.8	91.2	v high	289%
Lochington	30.2		35.8	16th	20.7		16.4	21st	389.2
Rolleston Airport	29.4		35.4	17th	20.4		14.9	21st	399.8
Springsure Comet St	29.4	-4.8	34.7	17th	19.8	0.0	14.9	22nd	470.2	93.0	highest	506%
Tambo Post Office	30.8	-4.1	35.5	17th	19.3	+0.2	12.2	21st	216.7	69.9	v high	310%
Taroom Post Office	29.6	-3.9	35.7	16th	20.1	+0.5	13.6	21st	360.2	90.6	v high	398%
Central Lowlands (district 36)
Barcaldine Post Office	32.2	-3.6	37.5	17th	21.4	-0.8	17.1	21st	227.7	64.4	v high	354%
Blackall Airport	31.3	-5.0	36.9	17th	20.3	-2.0	15.3	21st	397.4	117.5	v high	338%
Isisford Post Office	32.7	-4.4	37.3	16th	21.7	-0.2	14.9	1st	137.6	53.1	v high	259%
Longreach Aero	32.7	-4.8	38.1	16th	20.8	-1.3	14.5	1st	146.2	57.9	v high	253%
Upper Western (district 37)
Camooweal Township	36.2	-1.9	41.1	5th	23.0	-0.8	17.5	1st	93.8	60.5	high	155%
Urandangi	37.7	-1.1	42.2	17th	23.6	+0.8	15.0	1st	37.8	39.0	high	97%
Winton Airport	34.7		40.2	16th	21.5		13.7	1st	68.6	38.0	high	181%
Winton Post Office	34.9	-3.3	40.1	16th	22.2	-0.7	15.3	1st	96.5	49.8	high	194%
Lower Western (district 38)
Bedourie Police Station	37.6	-0.7	42.0	7th			13.0	4th	19.5	16.0	high	122%
Birdsville Airport	37.5	-0.9	43.2	15th	22.8	-0.9	14.2	1st	2.0	8.9	v low	22%
Boulia Airport	37.4	-1.2	42.3	16th			23.9	25th	24.4	31.4	average	78%
Windorah Post Office	34.0	-3.8	38.7	7th	21.6	-1.0	16.2	21st	81.8	30.4	v high	269%
Port Curtis South Coast (district 39)
Baralaba Post Office	31.1	-3.0	36.7	17th	20.7	+0.4	15.6	21st	461.2	103.9	highest	444%
Bundaberg Aero	29.1	-0.3	33.3	18th	21.4	+0.9	16.6	21st	573.2	128.9	highest	445%
Gayndah Airport	29.2		34.6	16th	20.1		13.1	21st	380.8
Gladstone Airport	29.3	-0.7	35.6	18th	22.6	+0.4	20.0	4th	404.4	123.0	v high	329%
Gladstone Radar	29.7	-1.3	35.0	18th	22.1	+0.2	19.6	1st	434.0	134.5	v high	323%
Lady Elliot Island	27.7	-0.9	29.9	17th	23.7	+0.5	21.0	5th	510.0	91.6	highest	557%
Monto Township	28.6	-3.5	34.5	16th	19.6	+1.3	12.6	21st	499.0	95.9	highest	520%
Rockhampton Aero	29.9	-2.2	35.2	18th	22.7	+1.5	20.0	1st	518.4	108.5	v high	478%
Rundle Island	26.9	-0.9	28.6	6th	23.4	-0.5	20.0	1st
Sandy Cape Lighthouse	28.1	-0.8	30.1	10th	22.0	+0.4	19.0	4th	341.7	98.4	v high	347%
Seventeen Seventy	28.0	-0.6	30.5	18th	22.1	-0.2	19.9	21st	516.2	142.8	highest	361%
Thangool Airport	29.8	-3.2	34.1	18th	19.6	+0.9	13.4	21st	374.4	94.2	highest	397%
Moreton South Coast (district 40)
Amberley AMO	27.8	-3.1	33.3	17th	19.2	+0.8	10.1	21st	368.2	123.3	v high	299%
Archerfield Airport	27.5	-2.1	32.3	16th	19.8	+0.8	12.5	21st	354.6	128.7	v high	276%
Beaudesert Drumley Street	28.0		33.4	17th	18.8		9.4	21st	275.6
Beerburrum Forest Station	27.1	-2.7	32.4	11th	19.8	+1.3	12.3	21st	531.4	160.5	v high	331%
Brisbane	27.8	-1.6	32.1	15th	20.5	+0.1	14.7	21st	479.8	157.7	v high	304%
Brisbane Aero	26.9	-1.4	30.8	18th	20.5	+0.4	13.4	21st	453.0	140.4	v high	323%
Cape Moreton Lighthouse	26.1	+0.1	28.7	17th	21.2	+0.2	18.0	20th	375.8	129.1	highest	291%
Coolangatta	26.9	-0.2	30.0	20th	20.4	+0.7	12.6	21st	493.8	152.9	highest	323%
Double Island Point Lighthouse	27.5	+0.2	31.6	18th	21.5	0.0	19.1	20th	340.4	130.8	v high	260%
Gold Coast Seaway	27.1	-0.7	31.3	16th	21.0	+0.5	15.1	21st	490.4	145.4	v high	337%
Gympie	28.5	-2.8	33.3	16th	19.9	+1.4	12.2	21st	544.2	138.4	v high	393%
Hervey Bay Airport	28.6	-0.8	30.7	15th	21.6	+0.4	17.4	21st	550.6	143.1	v high	385%
Jimna Forestry	25.1	-2.7	31.0	16th	17.3	+1.2	7.1	21st	385.8	142.6	v high	271%
Kingaroy Airport	26.3	-4.3	32.5	16th	17.8	+1.0	7.3	21st	359.6	125.3	v high	287%
Logan City Water Treatment Plant	27.5	-1.5	32.8	17th	20.2	+1.1	13.1	21st	585.5	154.8	v high	378%
Maleny Tamarind St	24.8	-1.9	31.6	17th	18.3	+0.6	12.4	21st	711.2	199.9	v high	356%
Maryborough	29.0	-1.6	32.6	18th	20.9	+1.3	15.3	21st	477.2	128.4	v high	372%
Nambour DPI - Hillside	27.5		34.7	17th	20.1		12.3	21st	676.2
Point Lookout	27.3	-0.6	30.1	30th	20.6	-0.9	16.7	5th	380.9	134.9	v high	282%
Rainbow Beach	27.7	-0.5	31.7	18th					556.8	130.7	v high	426%
Redcliffe	26.9		30.3	18th	20.8		13.5	21st	409.2
Sunshine Coast Airport	27.5	-0.6	34.6	17th	20.5	+0.7	13.1	21st	588.0	157.9	v high	372%
Tewantin RSL Park	27.3	-0.8	34.7	17th	20.9	+0.2	14.6	21st	545.2	154.7	v high	352%
Toolara (Kelly)	28.4	-3.2	34.0	18th	20.1	+0.3	16.3	21st	484.8	156.7	v high	309%
University of Queensland Gatton	27.8	-3.5	33.8	17th	19.0	+0.9	11.0	21st	317.0	99.9	highest	317%
East Darling Downs (district 41)
Applethorpe	22.6	-3.2	27.1	15th	14.4	+0.6	3.7	21st	212.2	97.8	v high	217%
Dalby Airport	27.4	-4.3	34.0	16th	18.3	+0.7	10.8	21st	247.4	106.0	v high	233%
Goondiwindi Airport	29.0	-3.5	35.1	31st	18.6	-0.1	9.9	21st	113.5	83.5	high	136%
Oakey Aero	26.4	-4.0	33.5	16th	17.6	+1.0	7.9	21st	304.2	97.4	highest	312%
Stanthorpe Leslie Parade	23.3	-3.8	28.6	15th	15.1	+0.9	4.5	21st	195.3	94.1	v high	208%
Texas Post Office	28.6	-4.2	34.5	31st	17.7	+0.5	8.3	21st	148.5	81.0	v high	183%
Toowoomba Airport	23.7	-4.0	29.0	16th	16.5	-0.2	11.5	21st	338.6	104.6	v high	324%
Warwick	25.4	-4.0	30.8	17th	16.7	+0.8	6.5	21st	289.0	111.6	v high	259%
West Darling Downs (district 42)
Miles Constance Street	28.3	-4.7	35.1	16th	19.0	-0.3	10.8	21st	340.0	104.3	v high	326%
Maranoa (district 43)
Injune Post Office	28.7	-4.6	35.0	16th	18.4	+0.3	10.1	21st	349.9	89.6	highest	391%
Mitchell Post Office	29.7	-4.1	35.8	17th	18.9	+0.4	11.0	21st	319.4	69.1	highest	462%
Roma Airport	29.0	-4.3	35.8	16th	19.0	-0.5	9.4	21st	233.6	78.2	highest	299%
St George Airport	29.4	-4.7	37.2	16th	19.0	-1.4	8.9	21st	52.8	81.9	average	64%
Surat	29.2	-4.7	36.4	16th	18.8	-0.5	10.4	21st	209.2	71.8	v high	291%
Warrego (district 44)
Bollon Mary St	30.2	-4.8	36.7	16th	18.6	-1.3	8.8	21st	94.3	52.5	high	180%
Charleville Aero	31.1	-3.6	36.9	16th	19.1	-1.2	9.8	21st	117.6	54.5	v high	216%
Cunnamulla Post Office	32.1	-3.1	38.4	31st	19.8	-0.9	13.3	21st	31.8	39.5	average	81%
Far Southwest (district 45)
Quilpie Airport	33.1	-3.3	39.0	16th	20.2	-2.1	12.5	21st	67.6	34.0	high	199%
Thargomindah Airport	33.5	-3.2	40.9	30th	20.2	-3.1	13.7	20th	30.8	27.5	average	112%

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

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