Queensland in November 2013:Wet end and warm nights in the north, warm days in the south and west

Rainfall

Isolated thunderstorms during the month produced some locally heavy falls in the far north, the Gulf Country, Central Highlands, North Tropical and Central Coasts.  Some relief from the extended period of dry conditions - with much of Cape York Peninsula, the Gulf Country, and parts of the Central and Capricorn Coasts, and isolated parts of the Central Highlands receiving two to three times the monthly average.

Most of the east coast north of about Gladstone recorded average or above average falls for the month of November.  Some locally moderate to heavy daily falls recorded in the central coast. Extremes included a new record of 267.4 mm at Bowen and 203.5 mm at Hamilton Island (both to 9am on the 23rd).  These stations, as well as six others, recorded their highest November daily rainfall on record.

An active month of thunderstorms, with at least one thunderstorm per day being observed somewhere in Queensland.  Though this is not unusual for November (last year, the only day in the state to not observe a thunderstorm was the 15th November), it has been more active than the previous two months.

Severe thunderstorms were observed or recorded in Queensland for 24 out of 30 days (the days were a severe thunderstorm did not occur was the 3rd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 19th and 28th). In the greater southeast Queensland area (including Gold and Sunshine coasts, the Scenic Rim, Wide Bay and Burnett districts), 10 days of the month reported or observed severe thunderstorms.

The wettest overall was observed at Whyanbeel Valley with 473.6 mm, then at Mossman South Alchera Drive with 385.4 mm. Seven stations recorded their highest total November rainfall on record. In contrast, Boulia in the far west had its lowest total November rainfall on record. 

Temperature

Area-averaged across the state, the mean temperature (maximum + minimum / 2) was 27.71 °C, an anomaly of 0.58 °C above the long term mean of 27.13 °C. Most of the state was within 1 °C of the long term average, however it was slightly above average over a large expanse of the southwest and extending into the southern interior and into parts of the central interior.  Due to the rainfall and thunderstorm activity during the month, most of the northern Gulf Country, and parts of the Central Highlands were up to 1  °C cooler than average.

The warmest on average was Century Mine with 31.4 °C, and the coolest on average was Applethorpe with 18.6 °C.

Maximum temperature

Area-averaged across the state, it was warmer than usual with a maximum temperature of 34.88 °C, or 0.74 °C above the long term mean of 34.14 °C.

However, the north had cooler than average daytime temperatures while the south had warmer than average daytime temperatures. Central parts experienced average daytime temperatures. The southern half of the state was up to 2 °C above average, in contrast to the tropical north of the state, where it was up to 3  °C below average.

The hottest day was at Birdsville Airport with 45.2 °C on the 28th.  Sandy Cape Lighthouse had its highest November temperature on record.

Minimum temperature

Area-averaged across the state, it was warmer than usual with a minimum temperature of 20.54 °C, or 0.43 °C above the long term mean of 20.11 °C

The majority of Queensland recorded within 1 °C of the long term average, with milder conditions in the Gulf Country and along the Central and Capricornia coasts, Wide Bay, and small elevated areas of the Maranoa and Warrego. The northern interior, small parts of the northwest and the far northern parts of the Peninsula were slightly warmer than average.

The coldest night was at Applethorpe with 6.4 °C on the 2nd, in contrast to the warmest night at Windorah Post Office with 29.5 °C on the 28th. Mackay Aero and Weipa had their warmest November night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record.

Severe Thunderstorms

Reports and observations of severe thunderstorms for the month (thunderstorms can be very isolated, and not all reports are received by the Bureau)

1st:  Reports of trees down and roof damage to a house in Springsure due to the passage of a thunderstorm early in the morning, along with reports of 'golf-ball' sized hail observed at Crinum Mine (north of Emerald);
8th: Wind gusts of 96 km/hr were recorded at The Monument (northwest Queensland);
10th: Reports of 'golf-ball' sized hail at Marsden at approximately 2:10 pm; hail with a diameter of 2 - 4 cm reported from Kingston and Loganlea;
11th: Reports of 'golf-ball' sized hail west of Stanthorpe at approximately 7 pm;
13th: Reports of hail 3 - 4 cm in diameter at Gatton; 'golf-ball' sized hail observed at Ramsay; 2 - 3 cm sized hail at Toowoomba;
14th: Reports of hail 2 cm in diameter from Moonie and Laidley areas;
15th: Report of 'golf-ball' sized hail at Gympie, and also at Glenwood (west of Hervey Bay);
16th: Various reports of large hail with diameter of:
- 3-5 cm at Greenbank, Jimboomba, Rainbow Beach, Maleny, Mooloolah;
- 6-8 cm (or approximately 'Tennis ball-sized' and 'cricket ball-sized') at Marcoola, Maroochydore, Maleny, Mooloolah Valley, Buderim, Munruben; and;
- 9 cm (or approximately 'softball-sized') at Mooloolah Valley and Mudjimba;
18th: Reports of hails larger than 2cm in diameter at: Upper Coomera, Bowen Hills, Albion, Bridgeman Downs, Samford Valley, Canungra, Oxenford, Coomera, Beaudesert, and Yandina;
20th: Swath of trees and shrubs knocked down over a 1 km stretch between Camooweal and Mt Isa;
21st: Report of roof completely removed due at Callide (15 km north of Biloela);
23rd: 220 mm of rainfall in 70 minutes recorded at Bowen; reports of hail 2 cm in diameter from Inglewood; Leichardt (near Ipswich), and at Thane (near Warwick) along with a wind gust of 92 km/hr at Amberley and multiple reports of damage to or lose of roofs near and west of Ipswich;
24th: Wind gust of 107 km/hr recorded at Sunshine Coast Airport; reports of hail from 2 - 6 cm in diameter from Spring Hill, Wynnum West, Hemmant, Oxley, Daisy Hill, and Coomera areas;
25th: Trees knocked down around the Barnaraby area (near Gladstone);
26th: Reports of house damage at Ubobo, two rooves lost in Mt Larcom and a damage to the school in Ambrose.

More information on Severe Thunderstorms and Warning Services

Wind

The strongest wind gust was at Roma Airport with 107 km/h on the 12th and at Sunshine Coast Airport on the 24th.

Further Information

Queensland Climate

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