SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - MARCH 1996

Summary Tropical Cyclones Thunderstorms Wind Flooding Temperature Rainfall

SUMMARY

The month's significant weather was dominated by Tropical Cyclone KIRSTY which caused damage on crossing the northwest Western Australian coast then drifted south to combine with southern systems. The intense depression produced damaging winds, major flooding and severe thunderstorms in South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria around the middle of the month. Tropical Cyclone ETHEL also affected the Gulf coast of Queensland.

TROPICAL CYCLONES

Queensland
Tropical cyclone ETHEL formed in the Gulf of Carpentaria on the 8th, crossed Cape York into the Coral Sea then recurved and crossed back into the Gulf before weakening over land on the 13th near the Queensland/Northern Territory border. Damage was reported in the vicinity of Weipa.

Western Australia
A monsoonal low that developed into tropical cyclone KIRSTY produced flooding rains over much of the Kimberley and adjacent Pilbara. Having threatened the Kimberley coast while following an erratic southwards path, the severe tropical cyclone settled onto a southsouthwest track prior to landfall to the northeast of Port Hedland on the morning of the 12th. Progressively intensifying as it approached the coast, the category 4 cyclone produced wind gusts to 93 km/h at Port Hedland and many localities reported rainfall totals above 200mm. Pardoo recorded a minimum station level pressure of 938 hPa as the eye passed over the station. In the 36 hours to 3am on the 13th, Pardoo registered 167.6mm of rain. At Pardoo Station, tourist cabins and other structures were severely damaged, and some stock losses were also reported. Pardoo Roadhouse was demolished. Minor damage occurred at Marble bar, Nullagine and Newman.

Heavy rains fell over inland parts of Western Australia as the rain bearing depression, the remnants of Tropical cyclone KIRSTY, moved south towards the Great Australian Bight. Meentheena, east of Marble Bar, reported 122mm of rain in the 24hours to 9am on the 13th. The following day other significant totals were recorded at Kanandah 112mm and Rawlina Depot 104mm, both to the east of Kalgoorlie. The low entered the Bight to the east of Eucla on the 14th.

THUNDERSTORMS

New South Wales
On the 4th at Ulan (Central Tablelands) 43.6mm of rain fell in 120 minutes. At Lake George (Southern Tablelands) and Wollar (Central Tablelands) hail to 2cm dented cars. At Caroona (North West Slopes) gusts to 89 km/h were recorded. On the 5th at Bonython (Southern Tablelands) 43.6mm of rain fell in 15 minutes. At Wagga Wagga (South West Slopes) 21.6mm of rain fell in 15 minutes. Hail to 4cm caused an estimated $300,000 worth of damage to crops and property throughout the area.

At Albury on the 6th (South West Slopes) wind gusts to 148 km/h were recorded. Trees were blown down and some property damage was experienced. Roads were blocked and creeks were flooded.

Victoria
On the 6th severe thunderstorms were reported in the Northern Country and Northeast districts. Damage occurred at Ardmona, Grahamvale, Wodonga, Wangaratta and Yarrawonga. Extensive tree damage was reported and road signs were flattened, 75% of an apple crop was lost due to high winds and 25mm of rain was reported in the Shepparton area in 25 minutes. Shepparton recorded a maximum gust of 96 km/h. Power was disrupted as extensive lightning activity occurred throughout the state. One student was killed by a lightning strike and another 7 were injured at Bendigo. Lightning strikes also started bush fires: 7,120 hectares were burnt in the Little Desert and Wyperfield National Park.

Severe thunderstorms on the 15th caused severe wind and heavy rainfall at Murrayville (Mallee) and Maryborough (North Central). At Murrayville, 59mm of rain was recorded. At 11pm, the drive-in theatre screen was blown into the local nursery with damage estimated at $35,000. Houses and other buildings were damaged and trees pushed over. There were extensive power disruptions in the area. Severe thunderstorms occurred at Ouyen where heavy rain and strong winds uprooted trees. Severe storms with heavy rain and strong winds occurred at Patchewollock (Mallee). There was flash flooding with heavy local falls being reported. Trees were uprooted and buildings damaged by winds estimated at 100 km/h. During the afternoon and evening, reported wind gusts were: Cerberus 89 km/h; Mt Hotham 130 km/h; Mt Buller 111 km/h; and Cape Otway 93 km/h. Local and intense rainfall on the 29th associated with a thunderstorm was reported at Great Western (Wimmera), where 33mm of rainfall was recorded in 20 minutes.

South Australia
A probable tornado produced by a supercell severe thunderstorm caused a swathe of damage to farm properties and native vegetation in the Bordertown area on the afternoon of the 15th. During that evening and the early hours of the 16th, thunderstorms in the Arkaroola area produced rainfall totalling 95mm, 70mm of which fell within one hour. Local creeks flooded and a motor vehicle was damaged when it was washed downstream.

FLOODING

Queensland

Torrential rain fell in the Daintree area early in the month causing flooding.

Tasmania

Major flooding was experienced in the Meander River Valley with access to the town of Meander affected on the 16th.

WIND

Tasmania

Strong winds in the north of the State blew trees across power lines causing blackouts on the 17th.

South Australia

During the evening of the 15th and the morning of the 16th an intense depression produced severe winds across the western and central districts of the state. Mean winds of 75 km/h were recorded at Yorke Peninsula and gusts to 113 km/h in the Mt Lofty Ranges. Damage was widespread, amounting to an estimated 1 million dollars in the Adelaide area.

TEMPERATURE

Lowest Mean Minimum Temperature for March

                        Previous          Years of
     Station     Actual  Lowest    Year    Record
                   øC      øC     
Northern Territory
     Wave Hill    20.6    20.7     1976      22
     Mango Farm   22.6    22.9     1981      15

                                   Previous            Years of
     Station     Actual   Date      Highest    Year     Record
                   øC                 øC
Western Australia
     Albany       40.8     9         40.5      1969       31

                                   Previous            Years of
     Station     Actual   Date      Lowest     Year     Record
                   øC                 øC
Western Australia
     Meekatharra  19.3     30        20.1      1968       46

RAINFALL

Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for March

                	 Previous           Years of
     Station     Actual   Highest   Year     Record
        	   mm       mm
Queensland
     Weipa	  987      783      1990       80

Tasmania
     Tarralea     155.2    144.6    1948       60

Western Australia     
     Rawlinna      86.4     68.9    1968       32

                                 Previous           Years of
     Station     Actual   Date    Highest    Year    Record
                   mm               mm
Queensland
     Moreton      150.2    11      133.1     1940      88
     Weipa        223.0     6      217.9     1963      78
     Cape Tribulation
                  745.2     6      423.9     1960      50

Western Australia
     Halls Creek  120.0    20      103.4     1984      53

                                  Previous          Years of
     Station     Actual   Date     Highest   Year    Record
                   mm                mm
Western Australia
     Rawlinna     78.6     14       62.0     1982      32

Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.