Home | About Us | Contacts | Help | Feedback | SEARCH Global | Australia | NSW | Vic. | Qld | WA | SA | Tas. | ACT | NT | Ant. | Weather & Warnings | Hydrology | Climate | Numerical Prediction | About Services | Learn About Meteorology | Registered User Services |

Previous Chapter | Back to Index | Next Chapter

APPENDIX 7 - THE WEATHER OF 2000-01

Overview

The La Niña climate pattern, a pattern normally associated with above normal rainfall over much of Australia, re-developed in the latter half of 2000, before waning during autumn 2001. Consistent with this, many areas of Australia had a wet year, particularly in the north, with frequent episodes of heavy rain and flooding. In contrast, southern Victoria and most of Tasmania experienced a dry year, despite some wet intervals, which were insufficient to end the long-running spell of rainfall deficiencies that commenced back in October 1996.

Following a generally wet and very cool first half of 2000 over Australia, the period July through September was generally dry and warmer than normal as La Niña waned. Heavy rainfall in July somewhat relieved a poor winter wet season over southwestern Australia, which started late and ended early. Drought conditions developed along the eastern seaboard, so that by late October, serious nine-month rainfall deficiencies had developed in parts of southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales, with the dry, warm conditions contributing to a severe spring bushfire season in these areas.

A re-strengthening of La Niña towards the end of 2000, as reflected in the Southern Oscillation Index (Figure A7.1), signalled a return to cool, wet conditions over most of the country. Particularly heavy early monsoon rainfall fell over a wide area of northwestern Queensland and adjacent areas of the Northern Territory, with extensive areas having record rainfall for the October-December period. Exceptionally low maximum temperatures accompanied the rain, particularly in December. By contrast, southeastern Australia endured warm, dry conditions, with many records being established in November for high average minima. Overall, however, the cool start and finish to 2000 made this the first cooler than average year since 1984. The Australian mean maximum temperature was 0.44ºC below the standard 1961-90 average, although the average mean minimum was close to average. The year 2000 was the second wettest year in Australia since 1900, with the continent-wide average of 714mm second only to the 784mm recorded in 1974. Most of this excessive rainfall occurred in sparsely populated parts of northwest and central Australia, while the populous areas of the east and southeast coast, and southwestern Australia, experienced near - or below- average rainfall.

Figure A7.1. The monthly Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) since January 1995, showing the La Ni_a conditions from early 1998 through to late 2000.

The heat "pole" normally located in summer over northwestern Australia sat over northern South Australia in January and February. Major temperature anomalies resulted over a wide area of south central and southeastern Australia, especially in January, when temperatures at many centres in South Australia and the inland southeast approached levels not seen since the infamous January 1939 heatwave. Average January maxima were some 4-6ºC above average over a broad area of South Australia, western New South Wales and northwest Victoria, with departures exceeding 6ºC in the area around Port Augusta. Dry, hot conditions extended also to Tasmania in February. Heavy rainfall occurred inland in March, with the Alice Springs region being particularly affected.

The La Niña event decayed during the autumn months, accompanied by relatively uneventful conditions. In these months, high pressure systems became the dominant feature, and rainfall was generally below average between April and June, apart from heavy rains over northern South Australia. There was some relief rainfall in parts of southern Victoria that have suffered a long-running drought, but this relief was only short-lived. By the end of May, concern was felt about signs of a possible developing El Niño event, although by the end of June expert advice was that the development was unlikely to proceed, with neutral conditions being most likely for the remainder of the year.

Tropical Cyclones

The Australian Region experienced eight tropical cyclones during 2000-01.

Figure A7.2. Tropical cyclone tracks for the 2000-01 cyclone season. The direction of movement is indicated on each track.

A developing low, located approximately 315 kilometres north northeast of Derby, was named tropical cyclone Sam on 5 December. Tropical cyclone Sam initially moved on a westerly track but then turned to the south and southeast towards the coast. Tropical cyclone Sam was upgraded to severe Category 3 strength at 1pm on Thursday 7 December, and was further upgraded to Category 5 overnight. Tropical cyclone Sam crossed the Kimberley coastline 110 kilometres south of Broome, near Bidyadanga on the evening of 8 December. Wind gusts near the centre were estimated to be greater than 250 km/h with rainfall in the order of 200-300mm. Shelamar, just south of Bidyadanga, reported 520mm of rain in the 48 hours to 9am on 10 December. Most people in the area were evacuated before tropical cyclone Sam hit with preliminary reports indicating severe damage to station homesteads, sheds and buildings. Most trees were blown over, with power cut for several days. The system had weakened to a tropical low by 10 December as it headed towards the remote Great Sandy Desert region.

Figure A7.3 Tropical cyclone Sam about to cross the coast near Bidyadanga on 8 December.

Tropical cyclone Terri crossed the Western Australian coast near Pardoo on 31 January and produced areas of flooding. Tropical cyclone Terri initially tracked southwest parallel to the Kimberley coast, and intensified to Category 2 status. Terri turned southsoutheast and accelerated towards the east Pilbara coastline, weakening as it crossed the coast and degenerating into a tropical depression. Although no major damage was reported, there was minor flooding of the tributaries of the De Grey river system which contributed to the closure of roads into Marble Bar.

On 8 February, a tropical low formed in the monsoon trough over the southeastern Arafura Sea north of Nhulunbuy. The low drifted slowly south then southwest as it moved into the Gulf of Carpentaria and developed into tropical cyclone Winsome late on the 10 February just north of Groote Eylandt. The cyclone passed between the island and the mainland coast before making landfall near Numbulwar on the southwestern Gulf coast early on 11 February. The cyclone decayed into a tropical low which persisted for a further five days as it traversed the Northern Territory. It finally decayed over central Western Australia on 16 February as it merged with the remnants of tropical cyclone Vincent.

Tropical cyclone Winsome caused one death when a fisherman was lost from his vessel near Maria Island at the mouth of the Roper River. Two men were rescued after 8 hours in a life raft when their trawler capsized in Gulf of Carpentaria waters near Karumba. In Alyangula, falling trees brought down power lines and a 2 metre storm surge covered the golf course, washed boats onto rocks and a car off the road. In Numbulwar, a storm surge damaged workshops and facilities along coastal roads. A storm tide at Nhulunbuy covered the Perkins Wharf and dislodged boats moored on the beach. In Darwin, strong winds and severe wind gusts felled trees onto power lines, causing blackouts, road accidents and damaging cars. Ex-tropical cyclone Winsome moved south of the Top End on 12 and 13 February, the large swell combining with high tides to produce coastal erosion and dangerous conditions at Darwin beaches. Heavy rain caused flooding in many parts of the Northern Territory that cut roads and caused the closure of National Parks around the Top End.

Tropical cyclones Abigail, Wylva and Vincent affected Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia during February. They produced flooding rains and contributed to the highest February monthly rainfalls on record in parts of the Northern Territory. In Western Australia a tropical low formed in the monsoonal trough east of Christmas Island on 5 February. As it moved slowly southeast, it developed further and was named tropical cyclone Vincent on 12 February while located approximately 660 kilometres northnorthwest of Karratha. The cyclone continued to track southeast towards the Pilbara coastline and crossed the coast as a rain bearing depression, south of Bidyadanga, on 15th February. The depression continued to track eastsoutheast where it finally dissipated in the eastern Interior on 16 February. Wind gusts up to 75 km/h and rainfall up to 100 mm were recorded at Kimberley and Pilbara coastal stations in the path of Vincent, although there was no damage reported.

On 14 February, a weak tropical low over Cape York Peninsula moved over the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria waters. The low deepened as it drifted towards the southwest and was named Tropical cyclone Wylva during the morning of 16 February. tropical cyclone Wylva crossed the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast later the same day, just west of the Northern Territory/Queensland border, as a weak Category 1 system. The cyclone decayed into a tropical low that moved steadily across the Northern Territory during the next few days then further west before decaying over the Pilbara region of Western Australia on 22 February.

Heavy rain from ex-tropical cyclone Wylva produced a record flood in the Victoria River which inundated communities. Around 700 people were evacuated to Katherine for several weeks. Damage was estimated at 13 million dollars which included damage to infrastructure, roads, bridges and homes. The Victoria Highway between Northern Territory and Western Australia was cut from 13 to 28 February, and the Buntine and Carpentaria Highways were also cut for extended periods.

In Queensland tropical cyclone Abigail crossed the coast around noon on 24 February in the vicinity of Palm Cove-Ellis Beach about 30 kilometres northwest of Cairns with a central pressure of 992 hpa and maximum wind gusts of 90-100 km/h. Tropical cyclone Abigail moved to the southeast Gulf of Carpentaria and intensified into a Category 3 cyclone on 26 February and crossed the southern Gulf coast near the Northern Territory/Queensland border early on 27 February and moved westwards into the McArthur River region. Tropical cyclone Abigail weakened into a tropical low south of Borroloola but continued to traverse the Northern Territory during the next three days.

On 1 March, ex-tropical cyclone Abigail continued as it passed through the Victoria River Region, then turned south and moved parallel with the Northern Territory/Western Australian border for a further 6 days before weakening over central Western Australia on 8 March. Heavy rain produced by ex-tropical cyclone Abigail caused a 15 metre peak at the Katherine River bridge on the 1 March, inundating rural roads and properties around Katherine. Floodwaters cut the Victoria Highway west of Timber Creek between 4 and 9 March, and continued to cover the Buntine Highway. Floodwaters also cut the Stuart Highway between Elliott and Renner Springs on the 7 March and continued to cover the Carpentaria Highway near Borroloola for the first week of the month.

In April, tropical cyclones Walter and Alistair caused minor damage at Cocos Island and the Tiwi Islands respectively. Tropical cyclone Walter formed off the northwest coast of Western Australia on 2 April and moved on a westerly track passing to the north of Christmas Island during the night of 2-3 April. The system veered westsouthwest and continued to intensify to a category 3 status early on 4 March as it began to track towards the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Wind gusts to 100 km/h and 170mm of rain was recorded causing minor tree damage. Tropical cyclone Walter dissipated quickly and was downgraded to a tropical low as it moved south on 8 April to bring rain to the Lower and Central West districts. Tropical cyclone Alistair developed in the northern Arafura Sea on 15 April and continued to deepen on 16 April as it moved west to southwest towards the Timor Sea. The cyclone passed about 20 km northwest of the Tiwi Islands during the evening on 17 April causing only minor damage to vegetation around the communities islands. Alistair continued on a westsouthwest track until 20 April and heavy showers were reported in coastal areas. Alistair was downgraded to a tropical low on 21 April while westnorthwest of Exmouth. The tropical low re-curved and crossed the coast north of Carnarvon on 24 March. Wind gusts to 89 km/h and heavy localised rainfall of more than 100mm was recorded in the area damaging 30-40 per cent of banana crop plantations to the north of the town with the passage of the low.

Thunderstorms and Gales

In Queensland on 10 July, the passage of a surface trough triggered unseasonal thunderstorms across the Central and Southeast districts. Large hail, twice the size of golf balls was reported at Woodford. Several tornadoes in Western Australia and South Australia during July resulted in minor damage to property. At Woodchester near Strathalbyn more extensive damage was caused to property. Two tornadoes were reported at Hatherleigh with a 6 kilometre path and at Cape Jaffa in the Lower Southeast. On the morning of 24 July, a further two weak tornadoes were reported from Woodcroft and at Aldinga Beach (near Adelaide). In Western Australia on 13 July, a tornado was reported at Thornlie (suburban Perth). Winds were estimated to have reached 120 km/h as the short lived tornado briefly touched down. In Victoria on 20 and 23 July, wind damage occurred on the Mornington Peninsula. In Tasmania from 20 to 25 July, it was windy throughout Tasmania with the north of the state receiving the worst damage. A fisherman was drowned and his boat wrecked after fishing in gale force winds on the evening of 21 July. In Western Australia between 10 and 17 July, the passage of several active cold fronts produced strong to gale force winds near the lower west and southwest coast. Ocean Reef reported a gust to 124 km/h on 13 July and a gust at Cape Leeuwin to 119 km/h on 17 July.

In Queensland on 6 August, a severe thunderstorm at Emerald did significant damage to trees, some minor house damage, power lines were blown down, and a circus tent was shredded and the internal poles broken. In Victoria on 8 August, tornadoes occurred in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. At Sunbury a sports stadium and several houses were damaged as were some houses in Airport West. In South Australia on 8 August, thunderstorms in Adelaide and the southern suburbs caused minor roof damage and a boat was turned over by a waterspout at Robe. Tasmania experienced strong winds across the State on 10 and 11 August, but most damage was minor and confined to the north of the State. Several areas in the north recorded power failures. In Western Australia on 2 August, about seventy buildings were damaged (several severely) at Albany as a small but intense low pressure system formed off the southwest coast. The associated winds were estimated to have reached 130 to 150 km/h. Some damage was also reported from the Denmark - Walpole area (west of Albany).

In Queensland on 2 September, the westerly winds which followed a front through southeast Queensland produced gusts to 83 km/h at Brisbane Airport. Major power cuts were reported from Brisbane=s north, south and west and on the Gold Coast. In Victoria, on 9 September, a tornado occurred at Milawa (Northeast District). About 12 houses were damaged, a honey processing shed was destroyed, a roof was blown off a church and about 100 trees were downed. In Tasmania on 11 and 30 September strong winds caused damage across the state and on King Island. In South Australia the passage of a rain band with high winds on 7 September brought heavy rainfall with flash flooding, followed by high winds in the Adelaide Hills, which caused many trees to fall. A pine tree fell on a moving car, near Verdun, killing a woman and injuring her male passenger. Again on 11 September high winds in the Adelaide Hills, with gusts to 133 km/h at Mt Lofty, which resulted in further power cuts.

In Queensland on 28 October, a severe thunderstorm with hail 2 cm in diameter and very strong winds occurred between Innot Hot Springs and the Silver Valley Road west of Ravenshoe on the Atherton Tableland. Damage occurred over an area of approximately 10 square kilometres. A house was unroofed, trees were defoliated and trunks snapped off well above the ground.

In New South Wales on 26 October, at McLeans Ridges (Northern Rivers District) wind gusts were recorded up to 110 km/h, trees were snapped off and an empty 5,000 gallon water tank was thrown 500 metres. In Victoria on 19 October, funnel clouds were observed in the Geelong area and at Cranbourne (southeast of Melbourne) and on 24 October, in the Northeast District, storms caused local flash flooding. In Tasmania on 19 October, lightning strikes caused numerous blackouts across the north of the state. In South Australia, over much of the Agricultural districts, high winds on 18 October resulted in power line damage from Aldinga to Gawler and caused damage to houses in Wallaroo. In the Northern Territory on 26 October, an afternoon thunderstorm caused flash flooding and a narrow strip (1 to 2 kilometres wide) of tree damage near Deep Well, 50 kilometres south of Alice Springs. On 29 October, a thunderstorm downburst caused a swath of vegetation damage (1 kilometre wide by 15 kilometres long) near King River on the Victoria River Highway.

In Queensland on 2 November, a severe storm tore a path of destruction through North Rockhampton suburbs, with reports of up to five tornadoes. The estimated damage bill is more than $200,000. Golf ball sized hail was reported in the outer suburbs with wind estimates to about 150 km/h. A large truck was lifted and thrown about 50 metres. On 3 November, reports were received of a funnel cloud to the west of Peaks Crossing (in the Gatton area). Hail 2.5 cm in diameter, was reported at Gatton with 3 cm hail to the north. Ten to 15 kilometres south of Stanthorpe, an estimated $1 million damage occurred to small crops in the area. On 7 November, Raglan Station near Rockhampton reported 20 cent sized hail with major damage to the homestead and property. In Victoria on 1 November, storms in the Wimmera produced heavy rain leading to local flash flooding and buildings in Stawell and Halls Gap suffered water damage. On 16 November, at Mia Mia in the North Central District, heavy rain caused local flash flooding with 80 mm of rain reported at Heathcote. On 18 November, heavy rain occurred in the Central and Northeast Districts. Flash flooding was reported at Mt Macedon. On 28 November storms which occurred in the Central and North Central districts produced severe winds. Houses and trees were damaged at Craigieburn, The Patch and in the Strath Creek, Marysville, Glenburn and Yea areas. On 29 November, hail caused damage at Newborough in West Gippsland and at Dinner Plain in the North East District.

In Western Australia on 26 November, a low-pressure trough moved through the Southern Coastal district in the evening, producing thunderstorms and showers in the Esperance and Salmon Gums area. Roof and tree damage was reported and winds gusting up to 150 km/h were estimated to have occurred in the main street of Esperance. The Esperance Meteorological Office recorded a maximum wind gust of 124 km/h from the NNW at 4.40pm before power was cut to the Office. In the Northern Territory, there were several thunderstorms during November. Several, with golf sized hail, resulted in flash flooding and caused damage to buildings and vehicles.

In Queensland on 18 December, a severe storm hit areas of Mount Isa. It produced local flash flooding damage, particularly at Sunset Bridge. In Victoria on 21 December, storms produced damaging winds in Melbourne, Maldon, Malmsbury (North Central), Winton (NorthEast) and in the Eastville/Bonnie Banks area (Northern Country). On 3 December, a waterspout/weak tornado caused damage at Crab Claw Island resort at Bynoe Harbour near Darwin during the early evening.

Thunderstorms occurred in eastern mainland states during January, resulting in damage from wind and flooding. On 17 and 18 January, an area of instability over southeast Queensland resulted in intensive thunderstorm activity. Severe storms, which moved up the New South Wales coast into Queensland produced large hail and damaging winds. Severe destruction of property occurred in New South Wales at Casino. Two main storms affected the greater Brisbane area on 18 January. A storm over the Gold Coast area produced damaging wind gusts and unroofed some houses whilst an earlier storm left a trail of destruction from Mt Nebo to Redcliffe with hail the size of tennis balls. In New South Wales on 6 January, at Dubbo 4cm hail was reported with very heavy rain, (46mm in 20 minutes) and wind gusts up to 135 km/h which devastated buildings and trees throughout Dubbo over a 25 minute period. In Victoria on 24 January, severe thunderstorms in Melbourne produced heavy rain and severe winds. Two workmen were struck by lightning at Rockbank. At Mt Tarrengower near Maldon, severe wind gusts to 115 km/h caused some damage to buildings. In the Northern Country, storms produced severe winds which caused damage to buildings and trees. In South Australia on 25 January, severe thunderstorms caused flash flooding which damaged houses and businesses in Wayville, Unley, Goodwood and Keswick. Flash flooding also washed away fences at Angas Valley in the Murray lands where 100mm of rain fell.

On 4 February, two main thunderstorm events caused severe rainfall intensity. A rainfall rate of 55.8mm in 33 minutes was recorded at Mt Isa Airport which caused local flash flooding and water damage. In the Northern Territory on 27 February, a squall line moved rapidly from the southwest through Darwin=s northern suburbs which produced two damage tracks about 200m wide, one extended 10 kilometres. Millions of dollars worth of beach restoration was destroyed by five metre high waves along the southern Gold Coast due to strong winds on 2 February.

On 9 March, a severe flash flooding event caused up to 20 million dollars worth of damage in the Brisbane area. The thunderstorms were produced north and south of Brisbane and became almost stationary. Cars were flooded, roads closed and houses inundated. Two people drowned in separate incidents in the floodwaters. The highest 24 hour totals were Beenleigh 317mm, and Logan city 284mm. In New South Wales on 8 March, a very intense east coast low crossed the New South Wales north coast near Byron Bay with extensive flooding and wind damage. The highest wind gust recorded was 139 km/h at Evans Head with a mean wind speed of 100 km/h. Extensive damage was caused to roofs, trees and powerlines. In Western Australia on 6 March, a water spout was observed to the eastnortheast of Port Hedland and made landfall across the suburb of Pretty Pool. Estimated wind speeds were in excess of 110 km/h with a radius of strong winds about 150 km/h wide. Very heavy localised rainfall of up to 70mm was recorded in the area. In Victoria on 16 March, damaging winds were reported in the Central, Northeast and Western districts. A 130 km/h gust was recorded at Lovely Banks. In South Australia on 11 March, a wind squall lifted a bouncing castle into the air at Kapunda in the Mid North. One child died and 11 others and an adult were injured.

On 26 April, flash flooding, small hail and strong winds were reported from Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast and westsouthwest of Nobby (40-50 km south of Toowoomba). In New South Wales on 20 April, at Muswellbrook (Hunter District), 3cm hail, heavy rain and strong winds damaged cars and buildings between Muswellbrook and Singleton. In the Northern Territory, a slow moving thunderstorm complex produced about four hours of torrential rain in Alyangula on Groote Eylandt on the 8 April. Flood waters one metre deep covered parts of the town and access roads. In Victoria severe gusts occurred in southern and mountain areas on 11 April. The highest recorded was Wilsons Promontory with 145 km/h.

Severe thunderstorm activity through northeast New South Wales and southeast Queensland caused damage during May. The passage of a series of cold fronts across southern Australia during the second half of the month caused widespread blackouts in Perth and nearby towns Toodyay and Gingin, severe storms in the southwest of Western Australia.

Tasmania was buffeted by strong winds from 22 June to 27 June. A gust was recorded at Maatsuyker Island of 172 km/h on the 26 June.

Rainfall, Snow and Flooding

In Tasmania, the North Esk River at Corra Linn, reached a major flood peak height of about 3.12 metres on the morning of 21 July. The Meander River at Strathbridge reached a major flood peak height of about 7.15 metres on the evening of 21 July. The Meander River at Deloraine Bridge, reached a moderate flood peak height of about 2.64 metres on the morning of 24 July. Many roads were cut and flash flooding also occurred in the north of the state. On 26 July, snowfalls cut many higher roads in the south of the state. Several schools were closed for the day due to snow. In Queensland on 27 July, a cold outbreak combined with a rainband, resulted in record low maximum temperatures in southeast Queensland. Light snow and sleet was reported at Springbrook on the southern border ranges. In the Australian Capital Territory on 27 July, snow was reported at Canberra Airport. In Victoria during the last week of July, a severe cold outbreak brought widespread snowfalls down to low levels, which continued one of the best snow seasons on record.

In South Australia on 12 and 13 August, snow was reported from a thunderstorm at Worumba Station east of Hawker. In the Australian Capital Territory on 16 August, snow was reported at Canberra Airport.

In Tasmania on 1 October, the South Esk river at Mathinna reached a minor flood peak height of about 2.08 metres in the afternoon and at Fingal reached a minor flood peak height of about 4.91 metres in the evening. In Victoria on 18 October, heavy rain in the Trentham area (North Central District) caused some flooding on roads. On 19 October, flash flooding occurred in the Melbourne Metropolitan area. On 23 October, heavy rain leading to local flooding was recorded in the North Central district. At Lauriston, 84 mm of rain was recorded in 24 hours.

In November in eastern Australia, there was widespread heavy rain, brought about by persistent trough activity and tropical moisture that extended into the Southern States. On 17 November up to 470mm of rain fell in 24 hours in the Mackay-Sarina area. In New South Wales, 100-300mm in a week over central and eastern parts resulted in major flooding in many rivers, with large areas of northwestern and north central New South Wales under water.

December brought exceptionally heavy early monsoon rains to Queensland which generated widespread flooding in the Georgina River system in the State=s southwest, and in the Gulf Country. At Burketown, on the Gulf of Carpentaria, 907mm fell in December (cf an annual average of 767mm). Large areas of northwest Queensland and adjacent areas of the Northern Territory had over four times their average December rainfall, on top of extremely heavy rainfall in the early wet season (October-November). Many remote communities were completely isolated by the second half of December, and relied on food and supplies being dropped by air. Tasmania experienced highland snow around Christmas, which coupled with other adverse weather, hampered search efforts for a missing bushwalker. The search was eventually abandoned without success.

Heavy rainfall occurred around the Alice Springs area late in January, with Alice Springs itself receiving 220mm in three days. Flooding closed off most outback roads, and temporarily cut the main roads. The normally dry Todd River reached a height of over three metres. Widespread heavy rainfall during late January and early February led to serious flooding in areas of southern Queensland, northern and eastern parts of New South Wales, where many totals in the northeast exceeded 200mm in the 24 hours ended 2 February, with up to 550mm in 72 hours. Between 150 and 250mm was dumped on the Sydney metropolitan area in the 48 hours ended 1 February, with heaviest totals in the southwestern suburbs. These rains came at the end of a dry month, which may have reduced the severity of flooding, but there were still many instances of flash flooding, and areas of moderate to major river flooding.

In February, tropical cyclones Winsome, Wylva and Abigail produced some flooding rains and contributed to the highest February monthly rainfalls on record in some parts of the Northern Territory. Heavy rain from ex-tropical cyclone Wylva produced a record flood in the Victoria River, which inundated communities. Around 700 people were evacuated for several weeks and damage was estimated at 13 million dollars. February saw a significant amount of flooding in Queensland with a heavy rain event in southeast Queensland at the start of the month, tropical cyclone Wylva in mid-February and tropical cyclone Abigail towards the end of the month. A total of 101 flood warnings were issued for 10 river basins during February.

A very intense east coast low brought storm force winds and widespread major flooding on the northern New South Wales coast around 8 March. The same system also then produced severe flash flooding near Brisbane. Several locations in New South Wales recorded their highest monthly rainfall for March on record. On the afternoon of 9 March in southeast Queensland very heavy rainfall caused flash flooding from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast with reports of 200 to 300mm of rain in a 2 to 3 hour period. Heaviest rainfalls were reported in the Beenleigh-Logan area and the southern suburbs of Brisbane where severe local flooding occurred which caused major traffic disruptions, damage to cars and houses. In New South Wales, widespread major flooding occurred along coastal New South Wales from the Lower Hunter to Richmond Valley during 7 to 11 March. In the Northern Territory, the Victoria River at the Roadhouse rose on 4 March and cut the Victoria Highway to Western Australia until 9 March.

The vanishing reservoirs in parts of southern Victoria received some relief when heavy rain occurred in late March, and again in late April. In the latter event, some of the areas worst-affected by the long drought received heavy falls, the area west and southwest of Melbourne experienced over 150mm in four days (with daily totals over 80 mm). Some parts of the eastern Otway Ranges and South Gippsland received as much as 400mm in this time. However neither the March nor the April rain events were extensive, and there was a quick return to dry conditions, so that the rains had no lasting beneficial impact on storages.

Southwestern Australia began to receive more regular rains in May, following an outstandingly dry spell, which saw Perth record its lowest ever September to April rainfall total of 98.4 millimetres. The previous record (over 124 years of record) was 114.3mm in 1957-58. The long-term average is 258mm. A low developed off the north Coast of New South Wales on 5 May while a high remained in the southern Tasman Sea. Between these systems, strong southeasterly winds converging onto the coast brought very heavy rain, particularly to the Metropolitan and Hunter districts from 5-8 May. Some stations recorded their highest rainfalls for May.

Active northwest cloudbands during the first fortnight of June produced heavy falls over central Australia and much of South Australia, with between 50 and 150mm over broad areas of country where the annual average is less than 300mm. On 6 June, a small rain band developed over the Mid North of South Australia and moved southwards, passing over the Adelaide suburbs in the late afternoon/early evening. Minor flooding in the northern and southern suburbs were reported with significant flooding being reported from the Keswick Creek in the inner southern suburb of Unley. This rain event contributed to record June rainfalls at many inland locations. By contrast many locations in Western Australia and New South Wales recorded their lowest monthly rainfall for June. In Western Australia, extremely dry conditions have been experienced through many parts of the South West Land Division since spring last year. This lack of rainfall has continued into early winter, with most districts in the South West Land Division reporting record low rainfall totals for June. Agricultural districts were the worst affected areas with many farmers still waiting for significant rains. Lake Grace in the Great Southern district received 7.6mm, 4.8mm less than their previous record low rainfall for June and well below their average of 53mm. Pingelly, in the Central Wheat Belt, received less than half the amount of its previous low rainfall record, just 12.5mm. Record low rainfall was also experienced in parts of the Gascoyne with Paynes Find recording 1.8mm for June, more than 6mm below their previous record.

Bushfires

In the Northern Territory on 16 July, a fire burnt a 24 square kilometre area at Livingstone, 60 kilometres southeast of Darwin. The fire damaged 107 properties, destroying seven mango orchards, three sheds, irrigation equipment and a caravan. The fire took 6 hours to bring under control with the help of 24 volunteer fire-fighting units, a helicopter and two graders. One volunteer fire fighter was seriously burnt as a wall of fire swept past him. On 24 and 27 July, large fires burnt scrub and threatened properties in the Darwin River area, 45 kilometres southeast of Darwin. On 29 July, a fire that had been burning for over a week in the Douglas Daly area was controlled using a 25 kilometre backburn. The fire burnt part of the Douglas Daly Hot Springs reserve and a large area within the Douglas pastoral station.

In the Northern Territory on 14 and 15 August, a large fire threatened properties at Lake Bennett, about 80 kilometres south of Darwin. On 15 August, a fire burnt around 100 square kilometres of Marrakai and Woolner stations, 80 kilometres east of Darwin. On 15 and 16 August, another large fire at Dundee Beach, 60 kilometres southwest of Darwin, burnt through many properties and destroyed sheds, generators and machinery. Despite the loss of pasture and some valuable assets, no houses were lost in these fires. During the last three weeks of August, wildfires burnt large areas of pasture and scrub on Suplejack Station in the Victoria River region, and on Lake Nash Station and Georgina Station in the Barkly region. During the last week of August, a large fire burnt about 100 square kilometres on Douglas Station, 120 kilometres southeast of Darwin, causing loss of pasture. During the same period, another large fire threatened a conservation enclosure in the Tanami Desert north of Willowra.

In Queensland on 31 August, dozens of houses in Brisbane and the Gold Coast were threatened. Fires continued to burn just north of Brisbane at Morayfield and Ningi.

In Queensland on 2 September, fires were reported in and around Brisbane, as well as at Boonah, Kalbar, Yamanto, Paradise Heights, Minden, Roadvale, Laidley, Woodridge and Deception Bay (all in the southeast). On 6 September, bushfires raced across more than 4,000 hectares near St George, after a controlled burn escaped. Two large fires were fought on the Darling Downs, one near Cunningham=s Gap. On 7 September, grass fires were reported at Esk, Boonah, Aratula and Raceview, a major fire was reported near Charters Towers, in the state=s north. On 8 September, several other fires were fought in the Greater Brisbane area. Fires were also reported at Ipswich, Boonah, Morayfield, Laidley, Rosewood, Coominya, Cunningham=s Gap, northern Gold Coast, Warwick, Chinchilla, St George, Dalveen, Inglewood and Pittsworth. During the week ending 8 September, more than 2,000 grass fires were reported throughout Queensland, most of them were in the southeast. On 9 September, more than 60 fires were reported around the Greater Brisbane area, the Lockyer Valley, the Sunshine Coast and at Bundaberg. On 10 September, fires continued to burn in southeast Queensland at Cunningham=s Gap, Chermside, Alexandra Hills, Blackgully, and along the Sunshine Coast. Small fires were reported at Maryborough and Cambooya. On 11 September, a fire in the Brisbane suburb of Mount Gravatt was brought under control. Other fires were reported at Nerang and Oxenford on the Gold Coast. Further north, a fire was reported in inaccessible country near Gin Gin. Eight major fires were reported in the Bundaberg area over the previous 3 days. On 12 September, many fires were reported in the Greater Brisbane area and at the Gold Coast. A large fire was reported near Helidon, in the Lockyer Valley. Fires were also reported at Maryborough, Biggenden and southwest of Toowoomba. A fire burnt 200 hectares at Burrum National Park (near Hervey Bay) between 19 and 22 September. In Tasmania on 28 September, a controlled burn of 200 hectares in the southwest wilderness area, spread outside of the control area and burnt 7,000 hectares before rain extinguished it. In the Northern Territory on 2 and 3 September, fires occurred in the Humpty Doo and Elizabeth River areas and there was another large fire at Tortilla Flats, near Adelaide River. On 7 September, a bushfire destroyed two large accommodation buildings at Curragundi Scout Camp, near Darwin River. The fire burnt through 300 hectares of scrub and agricultural land. On 9 September, a large fire affected the Mainoru area, northeast of Katherine.

On 11 September, a bushfire came within metres of houses at Girraween Lagoon and Howard Springs, destroying a swimming pool. On 12 September, fires were contained at Twin Hills near Finnis River, Hayfield Station and Ban Ban Station near Hayes Creek. On 13 September, houses were threatened and several cars, two caravans and two demountable units were destroyed by a deliberately lit bushfire at Uralla Road near Katherine. During the second week of September, many fires over the Top End and Katherine region caused widespread smoke haze, reducing visibility at Darwin Airport to 2.5 kilometres on 11 September. At least five large fires during the last two weeks of September affected pastoral stations in the Barkly region, the Tanami desert and the northwest Alice Springs region. Fencing and extensive areas of pasture were lost in the fires, and widespread smoke haze spread as far south as Alice Springs.

In Queensland on 1 October, there were many fires throughout Southeast Queensland. To the north of Deception Bay, two farm sheds, a derelict house and a community hall were destroyed by fires. On 26 October, a large bush fire was reported at Doonan on the Sunshine Coast. The fire destroyed more than 30 hectares. A school was evacuated and 3 homes were threatened. On 30 October, a fire was reported to have burnt 1,000 hectares at Tiree (southwest of Hughenden). In Western Australia on 24 October, lightning sparked bushfires that burnt about 25,000 hectares in the Stirling Ranges, about 300 kilometres southeast of Perth. From 2 to 31 October, bushfires in the Karajini National Park in the Pilbara District were sparked by lightning, burning more than 500,000 hectares of bushland scrub. In the Northern Territory, fresh, dry and gusty easterly winds resulted in periods of very high fire danger over the Barkly district, Victoria River region and the Top End during the first half of October. Very high fire danger also occurred in the western Alice Springs region during the second half of October. On 6 October fires occurred in the Holmes Jungle Nature Park on the outskirts of Darwin suburbs. Ten fire crews battled to save houses at Knuckey Lagoon and buildings at Micket Creek, as strong winds pushed the fires towards these properties. Darwin firefighters remained on alert during the first week of October to assist Tennant Creek volunteers as fires continued to threaten the town. Many fires which had burnt extensive areas in the Barkly region, the Tanami desert and the western Alice Springs region since early September, were extinguished by widespread rain and cool weather during the third week of October. In Queensland from 2 to 4 November, fires at Uanda and Jireena burnt about 5,500 and 1,000 hectares respectively. On 4 November, a fire at Moorinya burnt 6,000 hectares.

In Queensland on 7 December, a bush fire at Hirstglen (near Cambooya) burnt over an area in excess of 600 hectares. In Victoria on 17 December, a grass fire started at Dadswells Bridge (Wimmera District) and burnt approximately 14,400 hectares. Although there have been no reports of any houses being lost, damage was considerable. There were major stock losses, and several farm outbuildings, haysheds and many kilometres of fencing were damaged. In Tasmania, bushfires were reported at scattered locations on 1 December. Several scrub or grass fires occurred in the southeast on 20 and 25 December. In Western Australia from 27 to 31 December, several bush fires that were started by lightning strikes, burnt up to 100,000 hectares in the states South, Midwest and Goldfields. Bushfires destroyed two houses and claimed more than 10,000 hectares of bush between Mt Barker and Cape Arid, east of Esperance. Wildfires spread through more than 85,000 hectares of bushland at Mt Gibson, northeast of Dalwallinu while several fires began near Southern Cross and the Goldfields. In the Northern Territory, fresh and dry easterly winds caused a period of high fire danger in the Alice Springs district during the first week of December. Several fires around the perimeter of the Alice Springs town area threatened properties on 9 and 10 December. One grassfire swept through three rural blocks in the Ilparpa Valley, south of Alice Springs, destroying a shed, caravan and mobile home.

Several large bushfires also occurred during January, particularly in South Australia and Tasmania. In South Australia on 4 March, lightning started several fires from Kangaroo flat in the South East to Nunjikompita on the West Coast, burning more than 8,560 hectares of scrub and grassland. In Tasmania a large number of fires were reported during the month with a total of over 10,000 hectares burnt.

There were significant bushfires in the Lower Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and several in Tasmania. On 2 February, a wildfire destroyed seven houses and significantly damaged several others in the small township of Tulka (10 kilometres southwest of Port Lincoln on the Lower Eyre Peninsula). Twenty-seven other houses or shacks suffered minor damage. Residents were evacuated and there were no serious injuries. Property damage in Tulka is estimated at $1.5 million dollars. The fire was estimated to have burnt 11,000 hectares. Much of the burnt area was within the Lincoln National Park. In Queensland on 9 March, a lightning strike caused a fire at Dunrossie (in the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders District - near Hughenden) burning approximately 800 to 1000 hectares of grass.

Extensive bushfires in the Northern Territory caused significant pasture losses. On 28 May, a bushfire burnt 11 rural blocks at Darwin River, destroying 4 cars and threatening homes. A controlled burn escaped and burnt through 10 pastoral stations south of Daly Waters in the last week of the month. By early June, 15-20,000 square kilometres were estimated to have been burnt by this fire as it swept through Nutwood Downs, Maryfield, Kalala and Amungeemungee stations then across the Stuart Highway into Hayfield station. Further south fires also caused significant pasture losses on Mt Doreen and Newhaven stations near Yuendumu and on Mt Skinner and Bushy Park stations north of Alice Springs.

In June, fresh, dry and gusty southeasterly winds and high fuel curing values and loads resulted in periods of very high to near extreme fire danger over the Top End during the third week in June and the last 2 days of the month. From 25 May until 5 June, a wildfire burnt about 20,000 square kilometres of pastoral land and bush in the area around Daly Waters, south of Katherine. The fire burnt through ten stations and resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost pasture and much destruction of wildlife. The fire came within 30 kilometres of Daly Waters township.

Temperatures

Following a wet and very cool first half of 2000, July through to September was generally dry and warm. September was particularly warm in New South Wales, Queensland and southern Northern Territory. These areas experienced maxima temperatures close to all time highs. In southern Victoria, significant rainfall provided temporary relief to the ongoing drought in September and October.

November was also exceptionally warm over southeastern Australia with both minimum and maximum temperatures 2-4_C warmer than normal. Northern Australia was generally wet and had exceptionally low maximum temperatures over October, November and December, with December being typically 5_C below average in Northern Territory and Western Queensland. The cool start and finish to 2000 made it the first cooler than average year since 1984.

In January, conditions over a wide area of south central and southeastern Australia were very hot and dry, with maximum temperatures 4-6_C above average. Dry, warm conditions continued in the same areas throughout February, extending down into Tasmania.

April and May were rather dry in most areas as high pressure systems became the dominant feature. Minimum temperatures were generally below normal over much of Australia in association with clear night skies.

Previous Chapter | Back to Index | Next Chapter