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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - FEBRUARY 1997
Introduction
Cyclones
Thunderstorms
Wind
Flooding
Temperature
Rainfall
The end of summer brought tropical cyclones in Queensland producing widespread heavy rain and flooding. Monsoonal rains also caused flooding in Western Australia and the Northern Territory and serious flash floods affected South Australia. In Victoria, record mean monthly temperatures were widespread.
Queensland Tropical cyclone GILLIAN formed to the eastnortheast of Cairns during the 11th. As it slowly approached the coast heavy rain and flooding began in coastal areas to the south. The category 1 cyclone dissipated to a low before crossing the coast at Townsville late on the 12th. Tropical cyclone HAROLD developed over the northern Coral Sea early on the 17th, tracked south then southeast toward New Zealand with little effect to Queensland. Tropical Cyclone ITA began to the eastnortheast of Townsville on the 24th, tracked southwest and crossed the coast at Alba Beach (near Cape Bowling Green to the southeast of Townsville) late evening. The widespread and heavy rain caused flooding in the Central coast and adjacent interior rivers and streams.
New South Wales On the 11th at Bellbrook 75mm of rain fell in 69 minutes. On the 12 th at Loomberah 68mm of rain fell in 25 minutes which caused dams to overflow. On the 13th at Bellbrook 61mm of rain fell in 45 minutes, Thora 54.4mm in 45 minutes, Dorrigo 111mm in 180 minutes, Bingara 120mm in 150 minutes and at Byron Bay 58mm in 30 minutes. On the 23rd at Merriwa 45mm of rain fell in 60 minutes and at Scone gusts to 93 km/h were experienced. On the 25th at Tabulam (Muirne) 76mm of rain fell in 75 minutes. On the 26th at Brays Creek 75mm of rain fell in 60 minutes. South Australia During the period from the 4th to the 8th heavy rain caused flash flooding in many areas of northern South Australia causing around 10-20 million dollars worth of damage. Also on the 4th 81mm of rain fell in 105 minutes at The Twins Station (Northwest Pastoral). Falls of 80-120mm in the Cleve area (Eastern Eyre Peninsula) on the 5th caused flooding of homes and businesses in Cleve and extensive damage to rural roads, fencing and contour banks. At Cleve 77mm of rain fell in 75 minutes. Falls of 200-300mm in the area between Manna Hill and Cockburn (Northeast Pastoral) on the 6th and 7th resulted in severe flash flooding damage. Floodwater poured through station homesteads; fences, dams and roads were washed away; the Barrier Highway was closed for several days and the railway line suffered major damage. At Outalpa Station (near Olary) 274mm of rain was recorded with 192mm falling in 4 hours on the 7th. On the 8th a thunderstorm dumped 84mm in 33 minutes at Kokatha Station (Northwest Pastoral) and at Appila (Flinders) 76mm of rain fell in 20 minutes. Western Australia On the 4th destructive winds accompanied by heavy rains lasting for 3 minutes produced damage along a short track about 1 to 1.5 kilometres wide at Kambalda. Three houses suffered major roof damage. On the 24th a house and shed were unroofed near Badgingarra. On the 27th tree branches were snapped and 21 mm of rain fell in 30 minutes at Paraburdoo. On the 28th severe winds uprooted trees and damaged roofs at Mount Narryer station approximately 200 kilometress to the north-east of Kalbarri. Northern Territory On the 2nd several thunderstorms occurred at Alice Springs Airport and a 122 km/h wind gust was reported.
Victoria On the 13th a dust devil caused damage to several houses at Alfredton near Ballarat. On the 18th a dust devil that caused some minor roof damage was reported in the Greenvale/St Albans area. Another dust devil at Craigieburn lifted roof tiles on the 28th. South Australia Squally northeasterly winds caused scattered damage and power blackouts in eastern Adelaide suburbs on the evening of the 6th and across the Lower Southeast district on the 7th. A woman was injured in Adelaide when a large tree limb fell on her car and iron roofing was blown off the Naracoorte hospital. Recorded wind gusts reached 93 km/h in Adelaide and 96 km/h at Cape Jaffa. Northern Territory Wind gusts to 93 km/h were recorded at several locations near Darwin on the 22nd but only minor damage occurred in Darwin.
Queensland Heavy rain which began late in January continued in early February over southwest Queensland, causing major flooding to continue. Damage to houses, businesses, roads and bridges was significant in the townships of Charleville and Blackall. Western Australia There were exceptional rains in parts of the West Kimberley during late January as a slow moving monsoonal low crossed over the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Murchison districts. Heavy rainfall across inland parts of the Pilbara and Gascoyne in early February produced one of the highest recorded river levels this century on the Ashburton river. Mount Vernon station, located approximately 170 kilometres to the south-west of Newman, reported nearly 410mm of rain in the first four days of February, of which a daily record of 250mm was registered on the 3rd. Significant stock losses occurred and several homesteads were flooded by the rising waters. The flood waters made the North West Coastal Highway impasabale. Water flowed across the top of the bridge at Nanutarra on the 7th. Onslow remained isolated for several days as the swollen Ashburton spread towards the coast. Northern Territory The Katherine-Daly catchment and northwest Top End had major flooding during the month. Daly River rose to its highest level (13.5m) at the Daly River police station since 1984 and prompted some evacuations nearby. Further upstream at Dorisvale Crossing the river reached record levels at 20.4m on the 22nd. Local flooding occurred as a result of widespread heavy monsoonal rainfall over the Top End between the 19th and the 23rd. During this period the Elizabeth River cut the Stuart Highway isolating Darwin, and the Adelaide River rose to its highest level in 20 years cutting the Arnhem Highway.
Highest Mean Maximum Temperature for February
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Double Is Point 30.0 29.1 1978 56
Nambour 30.8 29.9 1969/83/90 37
Victoria
Ouyen 36.0 35.9 1983 86
Donald 33.4 33.4 1983 119
Nhill 33.9 33.5 1983 100
Corryong 33.7 33.6 1983 106
Bairnsdale 28.3 26.9 1989 55
Olsens Bridge 27.6 26.5 1981 46
Wonthaggi 27.5 27.3 1983 86
Lake Eildon 32.6 31.1 1981 31
Moorabbin 30.6 29.2 1983 47
Highest Mean Minimum Temperature for February
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
øC øC
Victoria
Mildura 20.1 18.9 1956 51
Ouyen 19.3 17.9 1968 86
Swan Hill 19.0 18.8 1947 113
Donald 17.0 16.5 1983 119
Kerang 19.4 19.4 1906 117
Benalla 18.4 18.3 1930 115
Bairnsdale 14.2 13.4 1993 55
Melbourne 18.7 17.7 1968 142
Laverton 16.9 16.8 1981 56
Castlemaine 16.0 15.7 1981 36
Mangalore 16.9 16.6 1981 50
Moorabbin 14.0 12.4 1989 47
Northern Territory
Curtain Springs 24.0 23.8 1991 32
Highest Daily Minimum Temperature for February
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Cape Moreton 25.8 26 25.4 1982 40
Kingaroy 23.7 26 23.6 1973 40
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for Any Month
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
Western Australia
Mount Vernon 483.0 235.0 1963 58
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for February
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Augathella
(Carnarvon Station)340.2 281.9 1940 74
Hannaford 204.0 202.2 1928 65
Mungallala 286.0 274.4 1947 85
Augathella
(Wansey Downs) 377.6 276.4 1973 31
South Australia
Commonwealth Hill 149.0 116.3 1973 56
The Twins 159.6 129.3 1946 67
Wilpena 170.4 76.8 1994 35
Mannahill 271.0 142.8 1921 108
Olary 216.0 151.6 1950 69
Northern Territory
Hermannsburg 224.2 187.9 1977 98
Lowest Monthly Rainfall on Record for February
Previous Years of
Station Actual Lowest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Manly 15.4 15.8 1926 100
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for Any Month
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
South Australia
Mannahill 134.8 7 104.4 1989 109
Olary 155.0 8 140.4 1989 69
Western Australia
Mount Vernon 250.0 3 114.3 1961 58
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for February
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Augathella
(Carnarvon Stn) 105.2 3 91.4 1940 74
Abercorn
(Three Moon Ck) 97.0 18 71.9 1961 50
Theodore 133.0 26 128.0 1971 31
Wurumma Dam
(Nogo River) 92.0 27 83.0 1975 33
Warkon 91.4 14 90.8 1976 82
Mungallala 97.0 14 96.0 1987 85
South Australia
Commonwealth Hill 110.0 6 100.3 1946 56
Wilpena 72.0 7 40.5 1987 35
Koonamore 88.2 7 73.2 1939 109
Mannahill 134.8 7 66.0 1921 109
Olary 155.0 8 40.4 1928 69
Blyth 92.4 7 71.1 1973 116
Northern Territory
Alice Springs 96.6 15 93.5 1967 56
Coconut Grove 204.6 22 160.5 1967 33
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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