Monday, 1 March 2021 - Monthly Climate Summary for Queensland - Product code IDCKGC14R0

Queensland in February 2021: warm nights overall

Rainfall was below average from the central to Fraser coasts and adjacent inland areas. Rainfall was above average in the north, and in southern inland parts. Mean maximum temperatures were warmer than usual from the south-west to central to south-east coasts of Queensland; also around the far north-east coast. Mean minimum temperatures were warmer than average across most of the state away from the south. Low- to severe-intensity heatwaves affected the state during the month.

Drier than usual along the central to south-east coast

• Rainfall was below average for the state as a whole, and the driest February since 2017.
• Rainfall was above average in the northern interior and parts of the Gulf Country, and southern inland parts of the Maranoa and Warrego, and western Darling Downs.
• February rainfall was less than usual from the Central Coast to Wide Bay and Burnett districts, and adjacent inland areas. The lack of rain-bearing systems along the central to Wide Bay coasts were due to reduced moist onshore flow, as well as troughs developing further inland dissipating before reaching the central east coast.
• A series of troughs moved through western, central and northern Queensland at the start of the month, generating widespread thunderstorms and showers in the half of February. Some sites in the northern tropics had their highest February daily rainfall on record.
• Troughs and low pressure systems over the northern tropics from mid-month generated heavy falls in north tropical coast, resulting in major flooding in the Murray and Herbert rivers between the 18th and 23rd.

Temperatures slightly warmer than average; low-intensity heatwaves throughout the month

• Queensland's mean temperature was 0.78 °C above the long-term average.
• The mean maximum temperature 0.68 °C above the long-term average. The mean minimum temperature was 0.87 °C.
• Low- to severe-intensity heatwaves affected large parts of the state during the month.
• Warmer than usual days and nights were reported from the central to south-east coasts and adjacent inland districts from the 21st.
• Hot days were recorded around the Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, and Central Highlands districts on the 22nd. Some sites had their highest February temperature on record.

Flooding and thunderstorms

• Moderate to heavy falls were reported in the northern tropics from the 16th and led to major flooding in the Murray River from the 18th to 19th, and the Herbert River from the 20th to the 23rd.
• On the evening of the 22nd, thunderstorms extended from the southern interior into Brisbane, with small hail reported in Greater Brisbane.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Maps
	Observed	Anomaly	Decile rank
Total rainfall
Mean daily maximum temperatures
Mean daily minimum temperatures

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Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top