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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - JANUARY 1999
In Esperance in Western Australia, record monthly rainfalls were reported due to a strong. Slow moving, mid-level trough. All mainland states reported thunderstorms that lead to hail or wind damage, or flash flooding. Although some tropical cyclones developed in the Coral Sea and near Christmas Island, they did not have any direct impact over land.
Queensland Tropical cyclones DANI, OLINDA and PETE formed in the central Coral Sea during January, but each had little effect on Queensland as they moved south and southeast to higher latitudes. Western Australia A developing tropical low was named tropical cyclone DAMIEN on the 23rd while located approximately 400km to the southsouthwest of Christmas Island. Moving in a general southwesterly direction the intensifying storm reached an estimated lowest central pressure of 955 hPa on the 25th at about 450 km to the south of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The system was downgraded to a tropical low on the 29th having followed a westerly track across the Indian Ocean. Tropical cyclone DAMIEN had no direct impact on either of the island groups.
South Australia Over one hundred small fires were reported across the state on the 2nd as temperatures reached the high thirties. Lightning started a minor fire in the Mt Lofty Ranges on the 5th. Hatherleigh and Rendelsham, in the Lower Southeast were evacuated as a major bushfire threatened the area on the 10th. The fire burnt out more than 2,500 hectares. One house, 6 buildings and many kilometres of fencing were destroyed. A lightning strike on the 27th in the Ngarkat Conservation Park north of Bordertown started a fire which was still out of control at the end of the month. The fire quickly spread into the adjoining Big Desert Park in Victoria on the 29th. Victoria On the 5th, lightning started a fire in the Grampians and approximately 7,000 hectares was burnt. An olive orchard was destroyed. On the 28th, lightning started a fire in the Big Dessert on the South Australian/Victorian Border. Over 100,000 hectares was burnt. Tasmania A scrub fire in the Musselroe Bay area (Northeast) destroyed a $60,000 shack on the 26th. It also damaged three other shacks and a large tract of coastal reserve and forced the evacuation of holiday-makers.
South Australia A wind gust associated with thunderstorms at Port Augusta on the 6th reached 100 km/h. No damage was reported. A possible tornado with 12-15mm of rain and hail was reported at Kyancutta on the 6th. Winds caused minor roof damage to two houses in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide on the 21st. Strong gully winds caused minor damage to property in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide adjacent to the Mt Lofty Ranges on the 25th and 26th. Wind gusts were reported to be up to 65 km/h in some suburbs. Western Australia Very strong easterly winds in the foothills of the Darling Scarp (east of Perth) caused some damage at the Vines Resort in the early morning on the 26th. Wind gusts up to 89 km/h were recorded at Gooseberry Hill between the evening of the 25th and early morning of the 26th.
Queensland During the evening of the 11th a severe storm swept through Ipswich causing flash flooding, extensive house, powerline and tree damage and some disruption to rail services. Charleville recorded a maximum gust of 120km/h on the 27th during a thunderstorm. Very heavy overnight rainfall caused flash flooding to inner northern Brisbane suburbs on the 29th following thunderstorm activity during the previous afternoon and evening. On the 30th, Hebel in the Warrego, suffered extensive damage with 15 houses losing roofs. Large hail and winds were estimated to be about 160km/h. Sheets of iron were found 5km from the town. New South Wales 1st At Pymble/Schofields (Metropolitan) 26mm of rain fell in 20 minutes at Pymble and 32mm in 30 minutes at Schofields. Flash flooding occurred in the Ryde/Pymble area and the Schofields/Box Hill area. At Leeton (Riverina) 100 km/h wind gusts lifted roofs, uprooted trees and brought down powerlines. 9th At Glenifer (Mid-North Coast) 44mm of rain fell in 30 minutes. 10th Tenterfield (Northern Tablelands) 32mm of rain fell in 20 minutes. 21st Howlong (Riverina) 60mm of rain fell in 60 minutes. 23rd Shellharbour (Illawarra) 30mm of rain fell in 20 minutes. Flash flooding occurred in the Shellharbour/Kiama area. 24th In the Metropolitan district 55mm of rain fell at Sydney Airport, 88mm at Little Bay and 141mm at Berowra. Very heavy rain and flash flooding occurred during the morning of the 24th in some of Sydney's eastern and northern suburbs. Flash flooding occurred at Randwick which resulted in damage to homes and cars. On the same day Merriwa (Hunter) reported 2.5cm hail and Manilla (North West Slopes) recorded gusts to 111 km/h. 27th At Tibooburra (Upper Western) 96 km/h wind gusts were recorded. 28th In the South Coast area, Batemans Bay recorded 102mm of rain, Narooma 88mm and Moruya 95mm. Very heavy rain resulted in flash flooding which damaged homes and washed away roads. At Hay in the Riverina district 3cm hail, 111 km/h winds and 55mm of rain fell in 15 minutes. A car was blown across the road, large trees were uprooted and a motel was severely damaged. 29th Cobar recorded 91 km/h wind gusts. At Ellangowan (Northern Rivers) 4.4cm hail and gusts to 100 km/h were recorded. A large tree was uprooted. 30th At Lawrence (Northern Rivers) 2.5cm hail was reported. At Collarenebri (Upper Western) 93 km/h gusts removed roofs from 3 houses. Hail 3cm in diameter was reported at Attunga (North West Slopes) and 130 km/h gusts at Boggabri caused major tree damage. At Killongbutta (Central Tablelands) 2.5cm hail and 93 km/h wind gusts snapped and uprooted large trees, stripped grapevine and vegetable gardens. At Glenville (Northern Tablelands) 62mm of rain fell in 45 minutes. Winds at Bundarra (Northern Tablelands) cut a swathe about 2-3 km wide which blew down trees. At Goodooga (Upper Western) 4cm hail was reported. At Evans Head (Northern Rivers) 100 km/h wind gusts and 49mm of rain fell in 45 minutes. 31st At Burren Junction (North West Plains) 4.4cm hail, 93 km/h wind gusts and 38mm of rain fell in 20 minutes. Cotton crops were damaged and a shed had its roof blown off. Victoria On the 1st, thunderstorms occurred in the east of the state. A house at Lily Creek (West Gippsland) was struck by lightning. A severe storm produced heavy rainfall at Yarrawonga and flash flooding was reported. Trees were downed on the Murray Valley Highway. At Omeo the caravan park was flooded and water damage occurred in the surrounding area. The damage bill was reported at around $100,000. On the 6th, a storm near Donald (Wimmera) produced severe gusts and 90 km/h was recorded. At Mansfield (Northeast), a thunderstorm produced severe winds. Buildings and power lines were damaged. On the 21st, storms in the Northeast produced heavy rainfall and severe wind. Gusts in excess of 100km/h were estimated at Bullioh and Myrtleford. Trees and buildings were damaged. At Bullioh, 38mm of rain was recorded in 90 minutes. On the 22nd, severe thunderstorms occurred in the Northern Country, Northeast and Central districts. Hail to cricket ball size was reported at Elmore and golf ball size hail occurred at Werribee. Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding was reported at Greta and Bullioh (Northeast) and Croydon (Central). On the 24th, very high 24 hour rainfall totals were recorded in the far east of the state, Gabo Island 237mm and Mallacoota 108mm. On the 26th, thunderstorms occurred in the Northeast district, 36mm of rain occurred in half an hour was reported by a storm spotter at Berringama. On the 27th severe thunderstorms occurred in the Mallee and Wimmera districts. A tornado was reported at Swan Hill and damage occurred to buildings, trees and crops. Workers' caravans on one property were flipped. At Nhill, severe wind to 100km/h was reported. On the 28th, severe thunderstorms occurred in the Wimmera, Western, Northeast, and Northern Country districts. Heavy rain and flash flooding was reported in all the above districts. Large hail and severe wind was reported at Lake Bolac and Horsham, and severe wind at Ballarat. On the 29th, heavy rain caused damage at Epping in the Metropolitan area. A storm at Longerenong (Wimmera) produced 93km/hr gusts. South Australia Thunderstorms were reported from across the interior of the State for much of January. Some minor damage was reported. On the 7th heavy showers from thunderstorms were reported from the Gawler Ranges, on Eyre Peninsula, with a report of 25mm of rain falling between 5 and 6pm at Yardea. Western Australia A severe thunderstorm on the 5th produced hail the size of tennis balls in the vicinity of a mine site 100km east of Norseman. An afternoon storm brought heavy rains to Mullewa on the 16th. Limbs were torn from trees and some fencing was blown over. Also on the 16th a severe thunderstorm struck Mardathuna station, approximately 100km northeast of Carnarvon. The storm struck during the evening and produced 50mm of rain in 15-20 minutes. Very strong winds caused damage to the homestead, metal fences and aerials. Two large 100 year old tress were uprooted. It was the worst storm experienced at the station in the past 50 years. Approximately half of the trees were damaged in an area measuring 3 km wide by 3 km long. Severe winds associated with a thunderstorm caused damage to buildings at Miling (approximately 170 km to the northnortheast of Perth) on the 20th. The roof of the local sports pavilion was removed by the strong winds. During the 22nd and 23rd widespread thunderstorm activity extended from the central west coast to the east into the agricultural areas. The storms caused damage at a number of localities in the area. At Kellerberrin in the central wheatbelt severe winds damaged 58 homes and buildings. The cost of the damage was estimated to be about $1.5 million dollars. Moondah Brook (approximately 60 km to the north of Perth) registered 115.4 mm of rain on the 23rd. There was severe damage to trees near Bindoon . Severe winds associated with thunderstorms struck the area west of Toodyay (approximately 70 km to the northeast of Perth) and south to Bakers Hill on the 22nd . Along a strip about 3km long numerous trees had limbs and trunks broken. A number of farm buildings also sustained damage. Severe winds caused damage to farm buildings in the southeast wheatbelt near Kukerin on the 31st. A storm spotter reported 25 mm of rain in 15-20 minutes at Gnowangerup. Northern Territory On the 18th Centre Island reported a gusts of 89 km/h in a squall line. No damage was reported.
Queensland The flooding which began about the Gulf of Carpentaria at the end of December continued in Gulf rivers until the 15th and the Channel country throughout January as the waters slowly made their way toward Lake Eyre. There was major disruption to property management, highways and rail services. Flooding occurred in the Warrego River between the 4th and 9th, in the Dawson River in the Central Highlands and Coalfields between the 4th and 11th, in the Nogoa River in the same districts between the 5th and 7th and in the Balonne River from the 28th. Western Australia A strong, slow-moving, mid-level trough produced flooding rains in the Esperance area between the 5th and 7th. Several localities received record rains that caused damage to roads and bridges, interrupted communications and inundated several buildings. During the three-day interval Esperance registered 206.6mm of rain. The January average was 13mm on 5 days. A number of other localities in the area reported cumulative totals of more than 100mm including Beaumont West (130mm), Esperance Aerodrome (186.8mm), Esperance Downs (178.0mm), Grass Patch (167.0mm), Munglinup (150.4mm), Lort River (124.0mm) and Mount Howick (106.0mm). The rains extended well to the north of Esperance where Norseman registered 78.6mm over the three days. A south-easterly airflow near the surface fed moisture into the trough as a ridge developed along the south coast.
Highest Mean Maximum Temperature for January
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
C C
Victoria
Ouyen 36.3 36.1 1981 52
Walpeup MRS 36.0 35.8 1981 50
Donald 34.0 33.6 1981 32
Nhill 34.7 33.4 1981 97
Longerenong 33.7 33.4 1968 63
Kerang 35.3 35.3 1981 89
Kyabram 34.0 33.8 1981 32
Tatura Inst. 33.4 32.9 1981 33
Rutherglen 35.6 35.6 1981 85
Gabo Is. 23.4 23.1 1988 120
Highest Mean Minimum Temperature for January
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Birdsville 27.4 26.4 1993 45
Victoria
Mildura 19.5 19.4 1981 52
Ouyen 18.4 18.4 1981 61
Kerang 18.7 18.2 1981 88
Kyabram 17.1 17.0 1981 32
Benalla 19.0 17.8 1981 95
Rutherglen Res17.2 17.1 1973 85
Gabo Is. 17.9 17.3 1981 118
East Sale 14.8 14.8 1991 53
Lowest Daily Maximum Temperature for January
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Lowest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Injune PO 21.8 1 21.9 1996 32
Western Australia
Esperance MO 16.8 5 17.0 1987 30
Narrogin 16.6 5 17.2 1990 86
Ongerup 15.2 5 16.4 1990 33
Ravensthorpe 14.5 5 16.8 1965 38
Highest Daily Maximum Temperature for January
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Double Is Pt 35.0 30 33.9 1983 39
Highest Daily Minimum Temperature for January
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Sandy Cape 27.0 1 26.4 1987 40
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for Any Month
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
Western Australia
Cascades Creek 148.0 142.6 6/1989 31
Esperance Downs 189.4 148.9 8/1968 48
Esperance MO 223.8 192.5 7/1972 30
Grass Patch 152.0 122.9 6/1898 97
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for January
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
Victoria
Gabo Island 350.8 256.0 1911 138
Western Australia
Lort River 153.2 49.4 1995 31
Mount Howick 125.9 52.8 1966 37
Salmon Gums 141.5 140.6 1939 72
Lowest Monthly Rainfall on Record for January
Previous Years of
Station Actual Lowest Year Record
mm mm
Tasmania
Cape Bruny 11.0 13.0 1948 105
Maatusyker Is. 12.0 15.0 1948 100
Franklin 8.0 18.0 1915 86
Lunawanna 7.0 10.0 1948 77
Hastings Chalet 4.0 22.0 1998 52
Grove 9.0 12.0 1998 47
Northern Territory
The Pines 131.2 166.0 1971 27
Camfield 8.6 9.8 1970 30
Innesvale 38.4 54.6 1994 24
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for Any Month
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
Western Australia
Esperance Downs 104.2 7 65.5 27/6/66 46
Esperance MO 106.6 7 77.2 4/10/82 30
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for January
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Winvic 112.0 3 87.0 1981 38
Jochmus 143.0 3 122.4 1984 32
Diamantina Lakes 102.4 1 91.9 1917 110
Garrabarra 57.6 2 57.4 1959 64
Victoria
Gabo Island 236.8 24 213.2 1987 138
Western Australia
Pearce 32.8 23 31.0 1982 31
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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