Queensland in January 2013: Extreme heat in the west and extreme rainfall and flooding on the coast

Refer to Special Climate Statements 43 and 44.
  • The national heatwave continued, including parts of western QLD (see SCS-43)
  • Except for localised heavy falls on the Darling Downs and tropical regions north of Townsville, most of the region affected by the extreme rainfall in the last week of January (see SCS-44), had less than 50 mm in the first three weeks of January, with some locations in the north of the state approaching record low rainfall up until the 22nd
  • Despite the wet finish to the month for coastal areas, QLD ended up having its hottest January on record and lowest area averaged rainfall since 2003 
  • A new QLD January temperature record of 49.0 °C, the state’s highest temperature since December 1972, was set at Birdsville
  • Birdsville had a run of 31 consecutive days of 40 °C or above, a site record and the equal-longest such run on record for Queensland
  • There were a total of 16 temperature records broken
  • The mean rainfall for QLD was slightly above normal (2.6%), making it 10 years in a row
  • Ex-TC Oswald moved south and produced the most extreme rainfall in the region between Rockhampton and Bundaberg, and in the ranges along the NSW/QLD border
  • Gladstone had 819.8 mm in 4 days, which exceeds its previous record for a whole month, and is also more than they had in the calendar years of 2011 or 2012
  • Area-averaged rainfall for the Burnett catchment on 27 January was 204.1 mm, exceeding the previous record by more than 80 mm
  • One-day catchment rainfall records were also set for the Mary, Logan-Albert, Kolan and Burrum catchments
  • Area-averaged rainfall for the Brisbane River catchment was very similar to that in the 2011 event (slightly higher than 2011 for periods of 1 and 2 days, slightly lower for periods of 3 and 4 days)
  • In the Bremer catchment rainfall totals ranked second behind 1974, and ahead of 2011
  • There were a total of 53 daily rainfall and 28 monthly rainfall records for January

Rainfall

The Queensland area averaged rainfall was 129.8 mm, the lowest since 2003. Most of the above average rainfall occurred on the coastal 'strip', including the Southeast, east Central Highlands and a large part of the Peninsula. The remainder of the state was either average or a large part of the Northwest was below average.

The wettest overall was Scherger RAAF with 995.2 mm, followed by Tully Sugar Mill with 928.0 mm.

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

The wettest single day was at Pacific Heights with 556.6 mm on the 25th

Some sites had their highest January daily rainfall on record.

Weekly rainfall summary:
To 8th: The majority of the rainfall was related to scattered thunderstorm activity in the northern tropics throughout the week. Falls greater than 50 mm were recorded in the Cairns area. The highest weekly recorded rainfall total for Australia was 151 mm at Tree House Creek, south of Cairns. Falls above 15 mm were also recorded across much of Cape York Peninsula and along the coast between Cairns and Rockhampton;
9th to 15th:  Falls greater than 15 mm were recorded in patchy areas in northwest and southeast Queensland;
6th to 22nd: Widespread falls were recorded in the northern part of the country, where the monsoon trough had a tropical low embedded in it. Rainfall in the southern parts of QLD was triggered by a surface trough. Falls greater than 50 mm were recorded in the tropical north with the highest falls throughout northern QLD. The highest Australian rainfall total for the week was 458 mm, recorded at South Johnstone near Innisfail. Totals above 50 mm were also recorded in elevated areas of central and southeast QLD. Apart from surrounding higher falls, weekly totals ranging between 15 and 50 mm were recorded in patchy areas of south-central QLD. Falls of between 1 and 15 mm were recorded across the remaining parts of QLD;
23rd to 29th: The heaviest falls for the week (exceeding 300 mm) were associated with ex-tropical cyclone Oswald, and were recorded across the Cape York Peninsula and along the east Australian coast. Surface troughs and a cold front triggered rainfall in Queensland. Falls greater than 50 mm were recorded surrounding areas of higher falls across the Cape York Peninsula and the eastern seaboard. The highest recorded rainfall total in Australia for the week was 852 mm recorded at Glenlands, near Rockhampton.

Temperature

The area averaged mean temperature (see notes section) was 2.01 °C above the long-term average of 28.74 °C (1961-1990). The highest on record.

The warmest on average was Birdsville Airport with 35.1 °C, followed by Boulia Airport with 35.0 °C, and  Urandangi Aerodrome with 34.6 °C.

The coolest on average was Applethorpe with 22.2 °C, followed by Stanthorpe Leslie Parade with 22.7 °C and Toowoomba Airport with 23.7 °C.

Numerous stations set records for the most days in succession above 40 °C. Birdsville also recorded 45 °C plus daytime temperatures for 5 days in a row (ending Jan 7th), which was a record (the last record was for 4 days from 27-30th, Nov 2006). Mount Isa had 15 days over 40 °C (the previous record for January was 13 on a number of occasions, with the record being 18 in December 1983). Cloncurry also set a record with 24 days over 40 °C, surpassing 23 in January 1947, and equalling the record of 24 for December 2005. Finally, Cairns set a record for 3 days in a row of 37 °C or over, for January (the last time was 4 in a row in December 1995).

Maximum temperature

The area averaged maximum temperature (see notes section) was 2.62 °C above the long-term average of 34.8 °C (1961-1990), the 2nd highest on record (highest since 1947). There was only a small region in the Gulf Country that recorded average maximum temperatures, everywhere else in the state was above average.

The hottest day was at Birdsville Airport with 49.0 °C on the 13th, followed by Thargomindah Airport with 48.8 °C on the 13th, and Birdsville Airport with 48.6 °C on the 12th.

The warmest days on average were at Birdsville Airport with 43.3 °C, followed by Urandangi Aerodrome with 43.1 °C and followed by Boulia Airport with 42.5 °C.

The coolest days on average were at Maleny Tamarind St with 28.0 °C, followed by Applethorpe with 28.1 °C and Cape Moreton Lighthouse with 28.3 °C.

The coldest day was at Applethorpe with 20.1 °C on the 27th, 21.4 °C on the 26th, and by Toowoomba Airport with 21.4 °C on the 27th and 21.5 °C on the 26th.

Some sites had their highest January temperature on record. Some sites had their highest January mean daily maximum temperature on record. Some sites had their highest January mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years.

Minimum temperature

The area averaged minimum temperature (see notes section) was 1.40 °C above the long-term average of 22.67 °C (1961-1990), the 3rd highest on record (highest since 2006). Except for a region on the Peninsula, inland of the Herbert & Lower Burdekin and two other small 'pockets', everwhere else in the state was above average.

The coldest night was at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade with 11.7 °C on the 2nd, followed by Applethorpe with 11.9 °C on the 2nd, and by Applethorpe with 12.3 °C on the 16th.

The coolest nights on average were at Applethorpe with 16.3 °C, followed by Stanthorpe Leslie Parade with 16.8 °C, Jimna Forestry with 18.4 °C, Toowoomba Airport with 18.4 °C and Warwick with 18.4 °C.

The warmest nights on average were at Sweers Island with 27.6 °C, followed by Boulia Airport with 27.5 °C and Mornington Island with 27.0 °C.

The warmest night was at Bedourie Police Station with 34.1 °C on the 14th, followed by Thargomindah Airport with 33.1 °C on the 9th and followed by Ballera Gas Field with 32.6 °C on the 19th.

Some sites had their lowest January temperature on record. Some sites had their warmest January night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record. Some sites had their highest January mean daily minimum temperature on record. Some sites had their highest January mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years.

Wind

The strongest wind gust was at Cape Moreton Lighthouse with 128 km/h on the 27th and 28th, followed by Double Island Point Lighthouse with 122 km/h on the 27th and Blackall Airport with 120 km/h on the 14th.

Other phenomena

TC Oswald crossed the western coast of Cape York Peninsula between Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama, just after midnight on Tuesday 22 January as a weak Category 1 system

There were approximately 10 tornadoes (including water spouts) reported from the 15-27th (TBC), half of these were sighted in the Bundaberg region.

Further information

Media
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Extremes in January 2013
Hottest day 49.0 °C at Birdsville Airport on the 13th
Warmest days on average 43.3 °C at Birdsville Airport
43.1 °C at Urandangi Aerodrome
42.5 °C at Boulia Airport
Coolest days on average 28.0 °C at Maleny Tamarind St
28.1 °C at Applethorpe
28.3 °C at Cape Moreton Lighthouse
Coldest day 20.1 °C at Applethorpe on the 27th
Coldest night 11.7 °C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade on the 2nd
Coolest nights on average 16.3 °C at Applethorpe
16.8 °C at Stanthorpe Leslie Parade
18.4 °C at Jimna Forestry
18.4 °C at Toowoomba Airport
18.4 °C at Warwick
Warmest nights on average 27.6 °C at Sweers Island
27.5 °C at Boulia Airport
27.0 °C at Mornington Island
Warmest night 34.1 °C at Bedourie Police Station on the 14th
Warmest on average overall 35.1 °C at Birdsville Airport
Coolest on average overall 22.2 °C at Applethorpe
Wettest overall995.2 mm at Scherger RAAF
Wettest day 556.6 mm at Pacific Heights on the 25th
Highest wind gust 128 km/h at Cape Moreton Lighthouse on the 27th
128 km/h at Cape Moreton Lighthouse on the 28th

Maps
ObservedAnomalyDecile rank
Total
rainfall
Map of Rainfall totals Map of Percentage of normal rainfall Map of Rainfall deciles
Mean
daily
maximum
temperatures
Map of Mean maximum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean maximum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean maximum temperature
Mean
daily
minimum
temperatures
Map of Mean minimum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean minimum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean minimum temperature

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


Record highest January daily rainfall
Highest daily rainfall
in January 2013 (mm)
Previous wettest
for January
Years of
record
Gympie 239.2 on the 27th 176.0 on the 10th in 1898 126
Maryborough 258.8 on the 27th 250.7 on the 31st in 1893 126
Mt Perry The Pines 345.0 on the 27th 339.1 on the 23rd in 1890 123
Pacific Heights 556.6 on the 25th 509.3 on the 31st in 1893 121
Yaamba 314.2 on the 25th 253.5 on the 22nd in 1918 114
Laura Post Office 172.8 on the 23rd 132.1 on the 21st in 1907 112
Mundubbera 314.9 on the 27th 178.6 on the 20th in 1929 102
Mount Larcom Post Office 269.6 on the 25th 252.2 on the 31st in 1978 101
Blackbutt Post Office 194.8 on the 27th 149.2 on the 10th in 2011 98
Aurukun Shire Council 332.6 on the 23rd 232.4 on the 11th in 1964 97
Canungra Finch Road 407.0 on the 28th 250.0 on the 27th in 1974 94
Moogerah Dam 293.0 on the 28th 217.7 on the 24th in 1947 89
Baralaba Post Office 151.0 on the 25th 104.5 on the 9th in 1996 87
Jambin Post Office 160.0 on the 25th 152.0 on the 31st in 1978 86
Byfield Childs Road 427.0 on the 25th 323.9 on the 11th in 1951 84
Glenlands 459.0 on the 25th 262.4 on the 23rd in 1955 84
Dunmore State Forest 163.0 on the 28th 133.4 on the 21st in 1956 74
Lanark 172.0 on the 27th 96.0 on the 22nd in 1956 74
Rockhampton Aero 349.0 on the 25th 219.0 on the 31st in 1978 74
Monto Township 185.1 on the 27th 141.2 on the 22nd in 1956 72
Mount Joseph 290.6 on the 27th 129.8 on the 24th in 1959 70
Abercorn 175.0 on the 27th 141.0 on the 22nd in 1956 63
Dunollie 230.2 on the 27th 130.0 on the 22nd in 1956 63
Brian Pastures 268.0 on the 27th 133.9 on the 9th in 1968 58
Broadmeadows 478.0 on the 25th 203.2 on the 30th in 1978 58
Gladstone Radar 254.4 on the 25th 196.8 on the 3rd in 1983 55
Queen Mary Falls 320.0 on the 28th 160.0 on the 5th in 2008 55
The Head 425.0 on the 28th 218.6 on the 26th in 1974 55
Glenwood 198.2 on the 27th 102.2 on the 4th in 2010 54
Bundaberg Aero 252.0 on the 27th 238.0 on the 20th in 1982 53
Carfax 202.0 on the 25th 120.0 on the 29th in 1984 52
Monduran 245.0 on the 27th 215.0 on the 2nd in 1981 52
Carneys Creek The Ranch 257.6 on the 28th 107.2 on the 27th in 1974 41
Mystery Park 274.0 on the 25th 225.0 on the 8th in 1991 41
Woodgate Store 309.4 on the 27th 210.2 on the 27th in 1984 39
Embreys Bridge 202.0 on the 27th 147.2 on the 11th in 2011 37
Greenbank Thompson Road 188.6 on the 28th 158.6 on the 25th in 2012 37
Possum Park 95.0 on the 27th 83.3 on the 7th in 1924 37
Builyan Gum Street 248.6 on the 27th 156.6 on the 31st in 1978 36
Lovandee 316.8 on the 26th 150.0 on the 31st in 1978 36
Childers South 260.0 on the 27th 132.4 on the 2nd in 1981 34
Greenhaven 235.8 on the 23rd 191.6 on the 26th in 2003 33
Springbrook Road 430.0 on the 28th 291.0 on the 25th in 2012 33
Maclean Bridge 172.0 on the 28th 161.6 on the 16th in 2004 31
Burrum Heads 282.0 on the 27th 156.0 on the 24th in 1973 29
Seventeen Seventy 290.4 on the 26th 114.4 on the 4th in 1996 27
Doraville Station 204.0 on the 25th 200.5 on the 4th in 1991 23
Goondiwindi Airport 175.4 on the 28th 129.0 on the 6th in 1996 22
Logan City Water Treatment Plant 192.5 on the 28th 145.2 on the 25th in 2012 21
Weipa Aero 327.8 on the 23rd 173.8 on the 11th in 2011 21
Beruna 94.0 on the 27th 56.4 on the 31st in 1998 20
Hazeldean 262.4 on the 25th 157.0 on the 25th in 2012 20
Warra-Kogan Rd Br 85.0 on the 27th 73.0 on the 29th in 1998 20



Record highest total January rainfall
Total rainfall
for January 2013 (mm)
Previous wettest
for January
Years of
record
Average for
January
Mundubbera 386.1 311.0 in 1929 102 103.9
Mount Larcom Post Office 856.2 617.0 in 1913 101 150.5
Baralaba Post Office 425.8 254.0 in 1939 87 96.2
Glenlands 851.6 680.0 in 1974 83 142.0
Thangool Airport 310.0 293.0 in 1978 82 98.6
Kroombit 312.2 304.8 in 1918 80 97.9
Proston Post Office 312.2 279.9 in 2004 76 100.2
Rockley 738.0 709.0 in 1978 75 151.1
Lanark 241.0 229.2 in 1959 73 84.3
Monto Township 446.3 300.7 in 1956 72 113.8
Abercorn 337.4 272.7 in 1956 63 97.4
Dunollie 299.4 257.8 in 1959 62 100.1
Brian Pastures 338.6 307.4 in 1959 58 107.5
Broadmeadows 803.6 636.8 in 1974 58 160.4
Wandoan Post Office 224.2 219.7 in 1971 58 87.4
Gladstone Radar 841.4 640.1 in 1974 55 153.1
Colodan 307.0 206.6 in 1996 54 85.5
Greenbank Thompson Road 352.0 329.6 in 2012 36 125.4
Woodgate Store 529.0 480.7 in 1973 36 145.7
Builyan Gum Street 655.4 370.2 in 1996 34 142.5
Childers South 472.6 467.7 in 1996 34 139.4
Lovandee 818.4 605.6 in 1971 34 186.6
Maclean Bridge 323.4 314.4 in 2012 31 118.5
Burrum Heads 489.6 357.7 in 1973 28 133.4
Seventeen Seventy 587.6 320.2 in 2004 26 169.7
Weipa Aero 846.8 717.0 in 2009 22 481.0
Logan City Water Treatment Plant 338.5 327.5 in 2012 21 135.3
Hazeldean 737.6 335.0 in 2012 20 150.4

Highest total January rainfall for at least 20 years
Total rainfall
for January 2013 (mm)
Most recent January
at least this wet
Years since
wetter
Average for
January
Mt Perry The Pines 570.6 602.6 in 1890* 121 160.3
Banana Post Office 227.6 421.8 in 1951 62 96.3
Barakula Forest Stn 282.2 325.1 in 1956 57 91.2
Dunmore State Forest 242.2 304.4 in 1956* 56 97.0
Chinchilla Water Treatment Plant 278.1 417.9 in 1956* 55 91.7
Merluna 878.2 951.4 in 1959* 52 393.4
Millmerran Post Office 205.0 233.9 in 1962* 50 89.4
Possum Park 222.0 303.5 in 1910* 49 89.0
Sandy Cape Lighthouse 464.5 476.0 in 1970 43 164.0
Lady Elliot Island 366.2 547.8 in 1974 39 123.8
Maryborough 467.0 503.6 in 1974 39 165.6
Moogerah Dam 445.0 567.3 in 1974 39 146.8
Moura Post Office 298.4 309.2 in 1974 39 97.1
Mt Tamborine Fern St 761.8 1790.0 in 1974 39 224.5
Queen Mary Falls 579.8 717.3 in 1974 39 172.0
Rockhampton Aero 556.0 660.2 in 1974 39 132.2
The Head 635.8 754.4 in 1974 39 166.5
Yaamba 433.2 474.8 in 1974 39 147.8
Glenwood 256.4 281.4 in 1974* 38 95.3
Goomboorian 454.0 672.0 in 1974* 38 174.3
Mount Joseph 497.6 627.8 in 1974* 38 145.4
Pacific Heights 820.0 941.0 in 1974* 38 233.1
Theodore 182.0 235.6 in 1974* 38 88.9
Carneys Creek The Ranch 410.8 454.8 in 1974* 37 147.3
Monduran 520.4 532.4 in 1974* 37 163.0
University of Queensland Gatton 259.6 452.9 in 1974* 37 112.2
Bundaberg Aero 494.8 693.2 in 1974* 36 177.5
Byfield Childs Road 756.0 1104.0 in 1974* 36 265.7
Double Island Point Lighthouse 385.6 516.1 in 1974* 36 165.1
Jambin Post Office 191.8 231.0 in 1978* 34 98.4
Mount Kroombit 297.8 303.4 in 1978* 33 103.6
Weipa Eastern Ave 781.7 1112.0 in 1982* 30 454.6
Moreton Telegraph Station 567.6 849.2 in 1979* 26 333.1
Cardowan 320.0 488.0 in 1991* 21 116.8

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




Record lowest total January rainfall
Total rainfall
for January 2013 (mm)
Previous driest
for January
Years of
record
Average for
January
Boulia Airport 0.0 = 0.0 in 1970 126 48.1
Dulacca Truck Stop 3.4 5.6 in 2003 117 83.9
Woodspring 5.0 = 5.0 in 2003 59 80.8
Fort Constantine Station 0.0 = 0.0 in 1985 57 130.9

Lowest total January rainfall for at least 20 years
Total rainfall
for January 2013 (mm)
Most recent January
at least this dry
Years since
drier
Average for
January
Blackall Township 3.0 0.0 in 1929 84 84.9
Aramac Post Office 12.0 10.1 in 1970 43 84.9
Mount Isa Mine 7.8 0.0 in 1985 28 96.9
Devoncourt Station 3.0 0.0 in 1988* 24 100.3
McKinlay Roadhouse 2.0 0.0 in 1985* 24 96.4
Richmond Post Office 18.2 4.5 in 1988* 24 122.4
Mount Isa Aero 7.6 1.6 in 1989* 23 116.4
Pinnacle 116.4 62.8 in 1990 23 279.5
Gereta Station 23.8 2.1 in 1912* 21 249.7
Kamilaroi Station 3.0 0.0 in 1992* 20 146.0

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




Record highest January temperature
Highest temperature
in January 2013 (°C)
Previous warmest
for January
Years of
record
Average for
January
Quilpie Airport 46.5 on the 12th = 46.5 on the 4th in 1973 57 36.9
Cunnamulla Post Office 47.0 on the 13th 46.9 on the 4th in 1973 56 36.0
Windorah Post Office 47.6 on the 12th 47.0 on the 4th in 1973 47 38.1
Mackay Aero 36.9 on the 28th 35.8 on the 7th in 2006 27 30.1
Roma Airport 44.6 on the 10th 44.0 on the 6th in 1994 21 34.0



Record highest January mean daily maximum temperature
Mean daily maximum
temperature
for January 2013 (°C)
Previous warmest
for January
Years of
record
Average for
January
Boulia Airport 42.5 42.2 in 1947 121 38.5
Cunnamulla Post Office 40.1 40.0 in 1932 105 36.0
Quilpie Airport 41.2 40.6 in 1947 71 36.9
Longreach Aero 39.9 = 39.9 in 1992 45 36.9

Highest January mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years
Mean daily maximum
temperature
for January 2013 (°C)
Most recent January
at least this warm
Years since
warmer
Average for
January
Windorah Post Office 42.2 42.3 in 1942* 67 38.1
Charleville Aero 38.5 38.8 in 1947 66 34.9
Mount Isa Aero 39.9 40.2 in 1971 42 36.3
Maryborough 32.2 32.3 in 1990 23 30.7
Isisford Post Office 39.7 39.9 in 1992 21 36.9

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




Record highest January daily minimum temperature
Highest daily minimum
temperature
in January 2013 (°C)
Previous warmest
for January
Years of
record
Average for
January
Quilpie Airport 32.5 on the 13th 32.1 on the 30th in 2003 57 23.7
Kowanyama Airport 28.4 on the 25th 27.8 on the 5th in 2007 44 24.3



Record lowest January temperature
Lowest temperature
in January 2013 (°C)
Previous coolest
for January
Years of
record
Average for
January
Low Isles Lighthouse 21.3 on the 21st 21.6 on the 14th in 2000 46 25.5



Record highest January mean daily minimum temperature
Mean daily minimum
temperature
for January 2013 (°C)
Previous warmest
for January
Years of
record
Average for
January
Ingham Composite 24.0 = 24.0 in 1998 42 23.0
Mackay Aero 24.0 = 24.0 in 1998 26 22.9
Gold Coast Seaway 22.7 22.6 in 2006 20 21.8
Logan City Water Treatment Plant 22.0 21.8 in 2004 20 20.4

Highest January mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years
Mean daily minimum
temperature
for January 2013 (°C)
Most recent January
at least this warm
Years since
warmer
Average for
January
Croydon Township 25.6 25.8 in 1989 24 24.2



Summary statistics for January 2013
Maximum temperatures
for January
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
for January
(°C)
Rainfall
for January
(millimetres)
Mean for
January
2013
Diff
from
average
Highest for
January
2013
Mean for
January
2013
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
January
2013
Total for
January
2013
Average
for
January
Rank of
January
2013
Fraction of
January
average
North Peninsula (district 27)
Coconut Island 31.9 +0.1 36.2 3rd 26.4 +0.6 24.6 24th 132.2 266.1 low 50%
Coen Airport 34.3 +2.2 38.7 10th 24.0 +0.2 21.5 26th 355.0 294.1 average 121%
Horn Island 31.5 +0.7 34.1 5th 25.7 +0.6 22.5 24th 395.4 387.5 average 102%
Scherger RAAF 33.4   37.5 8th 24.2   22.6 26th 995.2
Weipa Aero 32.7 +0.8 36.8 5th 24.4 +0.2 22.4 8th 846.8 481.0 highest 176%
South Peninsula (district 28)
Lockhart River Airport 33.2 +1.6 37.0 30th 24.5 +0.8 21.5 13th 264.2 395.1 low 67%
Palmerville 34.4 +1.1 39.2 11th 23.2 +0.3 20.6 13th 421.4 268.1 high 157%
Lower Carpentaria (district 29)
Burketown Airport 36.7 +2.8 40.9 27th 25.6 +0.3 21.8 30th 207.4 273.6 average 76%
Century Mine 40.1 +4.3 44.1 27th 25.0 +0.4 22.2 7th 44.8 221.8 v low 20%
Cloncurry Airport 41.3 +5.1 45.5 14th 26.6 +2.2 23.9 3rd 3.0 182.2 v low 2%
Croydon Township 36.7 +1.3 40.1 31st 25.6 +1.4 21.6 17th 136.0 222.1 average 61%
Julia Creek Airport 41.5 +5.0 45.9 14th 23.4 -0.1 19.9 31st 12.8 153.6 v low 8%
Kowanyama Airport 33.4 +0.4 37.2 13th 24.8 +0.5 21.6 17th 523.8 341.7 high 153%
Mornington Island 34.4 +2.3 38.1 23rd 27.0 +1.5 22.9 3rd 323.0 326.8 average 99%
Mount Isa Aero 39.9 +3.6 43.3 14th 24.1 +0.4 20.5 3rd 7.6 116.4 v low 7%
Normanton Airport 35.6 +2.1 39.4 31st 25.5 +0.3 21.3 8th 229.8 252.7 average 91%
Sweers Island 33.7 +1.5 36.9 23rd 27.6 +1.4 22.3 17th 398.0 354.1 average 112%
Upper Carpentaria (district 30)
Georgetown Airport 35.8   40.3 3rd 23.7   20.4 31st 211.8 271.0 average 78%
Hughenden Airport 39.0 +4.1 43.3 14th 23.3 0.0 16.3 30th 31.4 142.6 v low 22%
Richmond Airport 40.1 +3.9 43.4 31st 23.4 +0.3 16.5 30th 29.2 130.0 v low 22%
Richmond Post Office 39.7 +2.9 43.2 31st 24.0 +1.0 17.6 30th 18.2 122.4 v low 15%
Barron North Coast (district 31)
Cairns Aero 32.7 +1.3 38.6 29th 24.0 +0.3 21.4 14th 332.2 395.4 average 84%
Cape Flattery 32.7 +0.8 38.7 30th 25.0 +0.4 22.1 26th 311.2 289.4 average 108%
Cooktown Airport 33.0 +1.3 38.6 30th 24.5 +0.2 21.4 14th 433.6 280.3 high 155%
Low Isles Lighthouse 33.2 +1.0 37.1 29th 25.2 -0.3 21.3 21st 449.0 401.3 average 112%
Mareeba Airport 32.2 +1.4 37.6 10th 21.2 -0.2 18.0 14th 243.4 236.8 average 103%
Herbert North Coast (district 32)
Cardwell Marine Pde 31.8 +0.3 39.7 25th 23.9 +1.0 21.4 24th 669.6 442.0 high 151%
Ingham Composite 32.9 +0.6 39.4 27th 24.0 +1.0 21.8 14th 625.7 393.4 high 159%
Innisfail 32.0 +1.2 38.1 27th 23.7 +0.9 21.6 14th 629.6 512.7 high 123%
South Johnstone Exp Stn 31.9 +0.7 38.7 29th 23.3 +0.8 20.2 14th 849.8 527.1 high 161%
Townsville Aero 33.0 +1.7 38.3 27th 25.1 +0.8 22.8 1st 283.8 276.5 average 103%
East Central Coast (district 33)
Alva Beach 31.3 +0.1 35.1 27th 25.4 +0.8 22.3 8th 243.2 254.6 average 96%
Ayr DPI Research Stn 32.3 +0.5 36.8 27th 23.3 +0.6 20.9 14th 265.8 221.2 average 120%
Bowen Airport 31.9 +0.5 35.1 27th 23.9 +0.1 20.9 18th 215.4 179.7 average 120%
Collinsville Post Office 35.5 +2.1 40.0 29th 22.2 +0.3 19.6 3rd 271.0 136.7 high 198%
Hamilton Island Airport 30.4 +0.8 33.2 29th 25.1 +0.4 21.9 1st 262.2 292.4 average 90%
Mackay Aero 31.6 +1.5 36.9 28th 24.0 +1.1 21.0 14th 325.0 317.1 average 102%
Mackay M.O 30.9 +0.9 35.5 28th 24.5 +1.0 22.0 9th 293.0 277.1 average 106%
Proserpine Airport 32.2 +0.8 38.1 28th 22.9 +0.3 18.4 14th 335.4 290.1 high 116%
Rosslyn Bay NTC AWS 28.7   31.6 30th 24.8   22.2 17th
Samuel Hill Aero 31.4 +0.8 36.0 30th 21.4 -0.1 17.3 14th 608.4 193.0 v high 315%
St Lawrence 32.7   37.7 28th 22.9   19.2 8th 363.4 197.0 v high 184%
Williamson 32.2   35.7 28th 23.1   19.3 17th 415.8
Woolshed 29.5 +1.2 33.4 26th 21.0 +0.3 17.6 5th 391.0 252.7 average 155%
Yeppoon The Esplanade 29.8 +0.5 34.6 28th 24.3 +0.7 20.9 9th 622.8 149.6 v high 416%
West Central Coast (district 34)
Charters Towers Airport 36.3 +2.8 40.3 29th 22.1 -0.3 19.6 5th 152.8 160.2 average 95%
Moranbah Airport 36.0   41.7 14th 21.3   17.8 20th 146.6
Central Highlands (district 35)
Clermont Airport 35.8   41.2 14th 21.9   18.3 2nd 74.4
Emerald Airport 35.9 +1.6 40.9 14th 22.4 +0.2 19.6 2nd 63.0 88.8 average 71%
Lochington 36.5   42.5 14th 22.5   17.4 2nd 26.0
Rolleston Airport 36.3   41.2 10th 21.9   18.2 2nd 131.2
Springsure Comet St 34.7 +0.8 39.6 14th 21.5 +0.7 16.9 2nd 122.6 109.3 average 112%
Tambo Post Office 37.0 +2.1 42.0 10th 22.2 +1.8 15.0 2nd 26.2 81.0 low 32%
Taroom Post Office 35.5 +1.9 41.2 13th 21.9 +1.3 18.0 8th 182.0 98.6 high 185%
Central Lowlands (district 36)
Barcaldine Post Office 38.2 +2.7 44.1 10th 24.9 +1.8 20.6 3rd 25.4 86.5 low 29%
Blackall Airport 38.3 +2.9 44.3 10th 23.3 +0.6 19.5 2nd 38.0 112.4 low 34%
Isisford Post Office 39.7 +2.8 46.5 10th 25.2 +2.2 18.6 16th 94.6 69.8 high 136%
Longreach Aero 39.9 +3.0 46.2 10th 24.1 +1.1 18.7 29th 78.0 79.7 average 98%
Upper Western (district 37)
Camooweal Township 40.3 +3.0 43.9 25th 25.4 +1.1 17.4 29th 26.4 99.1 low 27%
The Monument Airport 41.3 +4.4 45.0 14th 25.7 +1.5 21.3 29th 23.0 73.5 v low 31%
Trepell Airport 41.9 +5.2 46.8 14th 25.6 +1.6 20.5 29th 3.2 112.4 v low 3%
Urandangi Aerodrome 43.1   46.6 14th 26.2   22.6 19th 0.2
Winton Airport 41.6 +4.8 46.9 10th 25.9 +2.2 22.4 1st 1.0 85.4 v low 1%
Lower Western (district 38)
Birdsville Airport 43.3 +3.1 49.0 13th 26.9 +0.5 17.2 30th 1.8 21.0 v low 9%
Boulia Airport 42.5 +4.0 46.5 13th 27.5 +3.0 22.0 30th 0 48.1 lowest 0%
Windorah Post Office 42.2 +4.1 47.6 12th 26.8 +2.7 19.8 29th 5.4 42.6 low 13%
Port Curtis South Coast (district 39)
Bundaberg Aero 31.9 +1.8 35.4 29th 21.7 +0.3 17.7 17th 494.8 177.5 v high 279%
Gayndah Airport 34.6 +1.3 39.5 19th 21.2 +0.5 17.4 17th 367.6 104.7 v high 351%
Gladstone Airport 31.4 +0.8 34.3 29th 23.2 +0.2 20.7 17th 776.0 146.8 v high 529%
Gladstone Radar 32.7 +1.5 35.9 19th 23.1 +0.6 20.9 8th 841.4 153.1 highest 550%
Lady Elliot Island 29.9 +0.7 31.3 29th 24.7 +0.8 23.2 26th 366.2 123.8 v high 296%
Monto Township 33.7 +1.8 39.1 13th 20.1 +0.8 15.3 17th 446.3 113.8 highest 392%
Rockhampton Aero 33.9 +2.0 39.0 14th 23.0 +0.9 19.7 9th 556.0 132.2 v high 421%
Rundle Island 28.7 +0.6 31.5 20th 24.7 +0.4 22.2 1st
Sandy Cape Lighthouse 30.0 +0.6 33.8 30th 22.8 +0.5 20.4 25th 464.5 164.0 v high 283%
Seventeen Seventy 30.4 +1.2 32.8 31st 23.0 +0.1 20.8 6th 587.6 169.7 highest 346%
Thangool Airport 34.8 +1.3 39.9 12th 19.9 +0.2 14.9 17th 310.0 98.6 highest 314%
Moreton South Coast (district 40)
Amberley AMO 32.5 +1.4 40.2 19th 20.5 +0.9 16.5 8th 277.8 116.8 v high 238%
Archerfield Airport 31.4 +1.1 37.4 19th 21.7 +1.5 17.6 8th 255.4 138.1 high 185%
Beaudesert Drumley Street 32.3   39.5 19th 20.1   15.6 17th 286.6
Beerburrum Forest Station 32.0 +2.0 37.9 9th 20.7 +1.0 15.9 17th 413.6 203.2 v high 204%
Brisbane 30.5 +0.3 35.4 19th 22.3 +1.0 19.8 7th 271.0 141.8 high 191%
Brisbane Aero 29.7 +0.8 32.4 2nd 22.7 +1.6 19.2 17th 248.8 141.6 high 176%
Cape Moreton Lighthouse 28.3 +1.4 30.4 11th 23.0 +1.1 20.8 6th 77.8 149.5 low 52%
Coolangatta 29.0 +0.8 31.7 19th 21.8 +0.9 17.3 17th 317.2 160.1 high 198%
Double Island Point Lighthouse 30.1 +2.4 34.4 14th 23.4 +1.0 21.9 5th 385.6 165.1 v high 234%
Gold Coast Seaway 29.3 +0.7 32.5 19th 22.7 +0.9 20.0 17th 253.0 131.0 v high 193%
Gympie 32.2 +1.0 38.2 13th 20.8 +1.2 15.4 17th 431.4 165.9 v high 260%
Hervey Bay Airport 30.6 +0.7 33.0 19th 22.7 +0.8 16.8 17th 336.4 160.3 v high 210%
Jimna Forestry 29.8 +1.9 37.7 13th 18.4 +1.0 13.5 17th 295.2 135.2 high 218%
Kingaroy Airport 31.7 +1.0 38.0 19th 18.6 +0.6 14.6 17th 345.8 97.8 v high 354%
Logan City Water Treatment Plant 30.6 +1.0 36.6 12th 22.0 +1.6 18.5 17th 338.5 135.3 highest 250%
Maleny Tamarind St 28.0 +1.4 34.8 9th 19.8 +1.1 16.4 17th 772.0 288.7 v high 267%
Maryborough 32.2 +1.5 36.8 29th 21.0 +0.4 17.0 17th 467.0 165.6 v high 282%
Nambour DPI - Hillside 30.4   36.4 9th 21.2   16.9 17th 349.2
Point Lookout 30.1 +1.1 33.0 20th 23.3 +0.9 21.0 15th 127.2 153.5 average 83%
Rainbow Beach 29.3 +0.5 32.4 9th       397.0 184.3 v high 215%
Redcliffe 29.4   32.5 9th 23.1   19.8 17th 212.0 171.9 average 123%
Sunshine Coast Airport 30.1 +1.5 33.8 9th 21.8 +0.6 14.5 17th 238.2 155.1 high 154%
Tewantin RSL Park 29.1 +0.7 33.2 9th 22.7 +0.9 18.5 17th 346.6 154.2 high 225%
Toolara (Kelly) 32.2 +1.2 38.4 29th 21.2 +0.6 18.5 17th 439.0 189.2 high 232%
University of Queensland Gatton 33.2 +1.7 40.2 19th 20.5 +1.4 16.3 8th 259.6 112.2 v high 231%
East Darling Downs (district 41)
Applethorpe 28.1 +1.7 34.8 13th 16.3 +1.1 11.9 2nd 154.2 99.8 high 155%
Dalby Airport 32.7 +0.3 39.0 19th 19.7 +1.0 15.3 7th 167.4 76.8 high 218%
Goondiwindi Airport 35.2 +1.3 41.6 19th 21.7 +1.5 18.0 2nd 249.6 93.8 v high 266%
Inglewood Forest 33.6 +0.4 39.3 13th 19.2 +0.6 15.5 16th 245.8 74.2 v high 331%
Oakey Aero 32.1 +1.3 38.9 19th 18.8 +1.0 14.3 8th 145.6 82.1 high 177%
Stanthorpe Leslie Parade 28.6 +1.2 36.0 13th 16.8 +1.2 11.7 2nd 137.3 97.3 high 141%
Texas Post Office 34.6 +0.9 40.9 19th 20.4 +1.9 15.6 7th 182.6 88.2 v high 207%
Toowoomba Airport 29.0 +1.0 35.1 19th 18.4 +0.9 16.0 15th 416.0 107.9 v high 386%
Warwick 31.4 +1.5 38.8 19th 18.4 +1.5 13.4 8th 125.2 88.0 high 142%
West Darling Downs (district 42)
Miles Constance Street 34.6 +1.0 41.8 10th 21.4 +1.1 16.3 2nd 194.8 74.1 v high 263%
Maranoa (district 43)
Injune Post Office 35.6 +2.1 42.4 10th 21.2 +1.7 13.7 2nd 40.6 89.8 low 45%
Mitchell Post Office 36.9 +2.9 43.1 10th 22.2 +2.2 15.9 2nd 36.5 81.0 average 45%
Roma Airport 36.7 +2.7 44.6 10th     17.3 29th 63.0 72.4 average 87%
St George Airport 37.6 +3.1 45.4 13th 23.5 +1.8 19.2 29th 27.8 56.9 low 49%
Surat 36.3 +2.2 43.6 10th 22.8 +2.2 16.3 2nd 69.6 72.1 average 97%
Warrego (district 44)
Bollon Mary St     46.6 13th 24.2 +2.7 20.1 24th 86.0 64.2 high 134%
Charleville Aero 38.5 +3.6 43.6 12th 23.9 +2.2 19.3 30th 17.6 74.3 low 24%
Cunnamulla Post Office 40.1 +4.1 47.0 13th 24.7 +2.5 20.3 31st 20.4 47.5 average 43%
Far Southwest (district 45)
Ballera Gas Field 41.8 +2.6 47.8 12th     18.9 31st 0 29.3 v low 0%
Quilpie Airport 41.2 +4.3 46.5 12th 26.0 +2.3 22.1 30th 22.0 53.2 average 41%
Thargomindah Airport 41.6 +3.3 48.8 13th 26.7 +1.3 20.4 31st 4.0 39.1 low 10%
Offshore Islands (district 200)
Middle Percy Island 29.2 +0.8 32.6 29th 23.4 +0.1 20.6 1st 286.0 203.5 high 141%
Willis Island 30.9 +0.2 32.2 12th 26.3 +0.6 23.9 7th 370.4 198.2 high 187%

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 10 am on Friday 1 February 2013. 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.

The ACORN-SAT dataset is being used for temperature area averages from December 2012 onwards. The major change from earlier datasets is that the ACORN-SAT dataset commences in 1910, rather than 1950, and hence rankings are calculated using a larger set of years.

No instruments from the QLD flood warning network (recognised as TM or Alert), have been used in producing daily rainfall information in this report. 

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