SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - JANUARY 2003
A tropical low, which brought flooding rains to the coastal area along the Northern Territory and Queensland border in the middle of January crossed into Western Australia causing more flooding rains as it moved inland. Severe thunderstorms and winds were reported in most states during the month damaging property and crops. Major bushfires in New South Wales and Victoria caused extensive damage to property, in Canberra 4 people were killed and several hundred were injured. Bushfires were also reported in Tasmania and Western Australia. Western Australia A tropical low, originating from the Northern Territory, moved west into the north of the Kimberley, eventually crossing the Pilbara coast just east of Port Hedland on the morning of the 25th. Gales occurred offshore from Port Hedland on the 25th. The system caused flooding rains as it moved inland. Accumulated falls of 100-200 mm were reported with several sites such as Marillana (357 mm), north of Newman, reporting in excess of 300 mm over a three day period. The rains were welcomed by pastoralists, although the Yule River flooded cutting roads including the Northwest Highway and damaging railway lines. Northern Territory On the 2nd a low in the Arafura Sea near Cape Wessel moved slowly south before stalling and deepening close to the coast on the 4th. The low resumed its southward movement on the 5th, passing over Elcho Island before making landfall on the Northern Territory coast east of Milingimbi. The system retained a deep circulation with central pressure around 996 hPa as it continued drifting slowly through Arnhem Land and into the southwestern Gulf of Carpentaria by the 12th. It then completed a circuit of the Top End before returning to the southwest Gulf on the 15th and becoming slow-moving near Borroloola. Between the 18th and the 21st, the low weakened and moved westwards across the Territory into the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Post-analysis of this event indicates that the system was a category 1 tropical cyclone (unnamed) for about 18-24 hours prior to and during landfall on the 5th and 6th. Gale-force winds caused significant damage to vegetation on Elcho Island and on the adjacent mainland coast near Milingimbi, Ramingining and Lake Evella. Falling trees disrupted the power supply and damaged several houses and cars in Galiwinku community on Elcho Island. A communications tower, elevated water tank, toilet block and banana plantation on the island were also damaged. The maximum wind gust recorded was 115 km/h at Ngayawilli AWS and the lowest pressure was 989.8 hPa at the same station at 2010 CST on the 5th. Gales around the periphery of the low affected the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria on the 6th and between the 14th and 16th. Severe wind squalls were also reported at Numbulwar and Groote Eylandt on the 14th. Onshore flow caused an estimated 1-metre rise in sea level at Numbulwar in the southwestern Gulf, which combined with high river levels to produce flooding around the mouth of the Rose River on the 6th, inundating workshops near the coast. Heavy rain produced floods in the Arnhem and Roper-McArthur districts. The McArthur River peaked at major flood level at McArthur River Mine on the 15th and at Borroloola on the 16th. At this time the river was 5-6 kilometres wide and close to the lowest buildings in Borroloola. The Waterhouse River reached minor flood level at Beswick on the 9th, causing a temporary evacuation of residents. Minor flood level was also reached by the Roper River at Mataranka Resort and Elsey Station, and by the Hodgson River at Hodgson River Station. The Carpentaria Highway between Daly Waters and Borroloola, and the Tablelands Highway were cut for short periods. The Central Arnhem Road between Maranboy and Gove, was also cut for a number of days. Redbank Mine (near the NT/Qld border in the southern Gulf country) broke the Northern Territory monthly rainfall record with a total of 1252 mm. Some record 24-hour totals in the Roper-McArthur district during this event: Limmen River 347 mm and Nathan River 340 mm (9th), Mornington Island (Qld) 298 mm (11th) and 210 mm (16th); Redbank Mine 249 mm (11th), Milingimbi 192 mm (13th), Borroloola 179 mm (10th) and Bing Bong Port 169 mm (10th). Queensland On the 21st storms formed on the southeastern Darling Downs and were steered northward through the Toowoomba area. Hail to 10 cent piece size was reported from Toowoomba. Twelve houses were unroofed and hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted. On the 22nd scattered thunderstorm activity occurred across the interior of the state. Winds from a severe storm at Charleville destroyed a shed at the airport. A farmhouse near Chinchilla on the Darling Downs was unroofed by another storm. New South Wales On the 6th at Blackheath (Central Tablelands) 2cm diameter hail with heavy rain was reported. South Australia On the 18th a thunderstorm caused a 93 km/h wind gust at Coober Pedy Airport in the Northwest Pastoral District. From late afternoon on the 19th through to early on the 20th, high based thunderstorms in a very hot airmass ahead of a front brought gusty winds and lightning to western and central districts. Wind gusts to 104 km/h were recorded at Leigh Creek Airport in the Northeast Pastoral District, and at Inkster, east of Streaky Bay in the West Coast District, a light plane was flipped over. Western Australia On the 23rd severe thunderstorms in the south caused damaging wind gusts during the afternoon. Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport recorded a wind gust of 137 km/h and Esperance Airport 109km/h. Only minor damage was reported. Northern Territory On the 13th, an early morning line of storms produced flash flooding and wind damage during a 2-hour period in Darwin's suburbs and rural area. Darwin Airport recorded 93 mm in one hour and 24-hour totals included Shoal bay 184 mm, Thorak Cemetery and Channel Island 183 mm, Berrimah 179 mm, Elizabeth Valley 161 mm, Karama 136 mm and Noonamah 133 mm. Trees were felled in Darwin River, Coconut Grove, Millner, Wagaman, The Gardens, Nightcliff and Parap by wind squalls. On the 16th, an evening line of storms produced heavy rain and flash flooding during a 2-hour period in Darwin's northern suburbs. Lee Point AWS recorded 97 mm in one hour and 24 hour totals included Leanyer 149 mm, Lee Point 132 mm, Shoal Bay 116 mm and Karama 107 mm. The peak 10-minute rainfall rate recorded at Karama was 146 mm/h. On the 19th, successive lines of storms produced heavy rain and flash flooding during a 3-hour early afternoon period in Darwin's rural area. 24-hour totals included McMinns Lagoon 194 mm, Koolpinyah and Humpty Doo College 178 mm, Noonamah 172 mm and Elizabeth Valley 160 mm. Flash flooding was reported in the Humpty Doo area with Edwins Creek overflowing, and the Elizabeth River rose to cut the outbound lanes of the Stuart Highway about 50 km south of Darwin. On the 23rd, an afternoon storm damaged trees and property in Alice Springs. Pea-sized hail was reported and many branches and several trees were felled by strong squalls in the Eastside and Gap areas, causing damage to houses and cars. New South Wales On the 8th at Little Bay (Metropolitan) wind gusts reached 109 km/h, at Sydney airport (Metropolitan) 109 km/h and at Lucas Heights (Metropolitan) 109 km/h. There were power outages in about 80 suburbs and some damage to trees. Victoria On the 6th a garden shed was unroofed at Morrison (between Ballarat and Geelong) possibly by a Willy Willy. On the 8th roof tiles were removed from homes at Narre Warren by strong winds. New South Wales Bushfires continued to burn during the month and firefighters battled dozens of blazes in the Kosciuszko, Brindabella and Namadgie national parks. Australian Capital Territory Bushfires were started by lightning on the Brindabella Ranges on the 8th and reached Canberra on the 18th, causing the loss of four lives and catastrophic damage to property, 530 homes were destroyed. Damage was estimated at $250 million. Smoke haze was frequent and widespread in the ACT during the second half of the month.Victoria On the 8th thunderstorms which occurred in the northeast of the state started bushfires. By the end of the month over 500,000 hectares of forest and farmland had been burnt. Several buildings and homes were destroyed as well as severe stock losses. Tasmania Numerous fires were reported across Tasmania during January. Rain on the 30th and 31st helped in their containment. On the 8th fire started by lightning in the Darling Range burnt 17,500 hectares on Flinders Island including many outbuildings, fences and power poles, etc. On the 13th 13,000 hectares of button grass and $2 million of stored Huon Pine burnt in the South West National Park. On the 20th 12,000 hectares and 1 house was burnt near Broadmarsh. On the 21st 4 houses were destroyed near Middleton. Western Australia Between the 9th and 14th almost 18,000 hectares of bushland was burnt in the Mt Cooke area, 70 kilometres southeast of Perth, before being contained. The fire, started by lightning strikes, caused up to $1 million damage including lost campsites and infrastructure. High temperatures also re-ignited fires in Nowergup and Bullsbrook, burning more than 200 hectares of bushland and threatening several homes and farms. Queensland Nicholson and Gregory Rivers: Heavy rainfall occurred in the coastal area along the Northern Territory and Queensland border towards the middle of January and continued for a period of 10 days. The heaviest falls were located along the coastal fringe and did not extend very far inland. However, this resulted in major flooding along the Nicholson River, which continued until the end of January. Flooding in the adjacent Gregory River was only moderate in its lower reaches. Mulgrave and Russell Rivers: Heavy rainfall commencing in the early hours of the 26th resulted in major flooding of the Mulgrave River at Gordonvale with the river exceeding the level of the Bruce Highway bridge. Moderate flooding also occurred in the Russell River. Northern Territory From the 5th to the 20th an active monsoon trough with a slow moving, deep monsoon low, meandering over the Top End, produced floods in the Arnhem and Roper-McArthur districts. Major flooding occurred in the Towns, Limmen Bight, McArthur, Robinson, Calvert and Settlement basins. Minor flooding occurred in the Waterhouse, Roper and Hodgson River catchments. The Carpentaria Highway, between Daly Waters and Borroloola, and the Tablelands Highway were cut for short periods, then had severe weight restrictions for a further period. The Central Arnhem Road, between Maranboy and Gove, was also cut for a number of days. McArthur River Catchment: The McArthur River at Borroloola, began rising on the 7th due to torrential rain in the region. Some stations reported more than 300 mm in 24 hours. The McArthur River at the McArthur River Mine peaked at Major flood level of 14.1 metres on the 15th. At this time the river was 5-6 kilometres wide. The McArthur River at Borroloola peaked at 14.7 metres on the 16th. At this level the river was just approaching the lowest buildings.
A new Northern Territory highest monthly total rainfall record for any month of 1252.1 mm was recorded at Redbank Mine. The previous record was 1224.1 mm recorded at Maningrida in March 1981.
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated. |
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