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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - MARCH 1998
Significant bushfires occurred in southeastern states during March, as dry conditions continued. Thunderstorms in several states produced damage, including flooding in Darwin suburbs. The remnants of ex-cyclones produced flooding and strong winds to parts of Queensland.
Victoria At Spring Hill (Trentham) a fire which started on the 22nd burnt 2520 hectares including farmland, private property and parts of the Wombat State Forest. 15 commercial and approximately 100 hobby farms were affected. Several dwellings, houses and sheds were burnt as well as the Old Fern Hill railway station and goods shed. These were significant fence losses especially in areas bordering bushland. South Australia On the 11th high temperatures low humidities and northerly winds resulted in extreme fire weather in most parts of the state, apart from the eastern border districts. On the 12th these conditions were confined to the eastern border districts. Fires in the Adelaide Hills burnt out 237 hectares at Tungkillo. Tasmania From the 8th to the 31st from a controlled burn that was intended to burn 60 hectares, 4500 hectares of plantation forest including nearly all of the Mathinna Falls conservation area was burnt. On the 22nd 800 hectares was burnt on Bruny Island and 2000 hectares near Mt Roland. On the 17th to the 20th 900 hectares was burnt in the Rocky Cape National Park and 300 hectares near Bicheno on the 31st.
Queensland Dangerous surf and strong winds were reported with the 26th being the most significant with 100 km/h wind gusts recorded at Cape Moreton and Double Island Point. A wave recording buoy 10km east of Moreton Island recorded a combined wave height of 11.5 metres, this being the fifth largest since records began in 1976. These conditions caused extensive beach erosion. Victoria On the 6th near galeforce wind and severe gusts to 107 km/h raised dust at Bairnsdale and reduced visibility to around 300 metres. On the 12th storms which occurred in the Western and Central districts late afternoon produced very localised severe wind gusts which caused damaged to buildings, power lines and trees. At Laverton North a gust to 102 km/h was recorded. Tasmania A large catamaran under construction in Hobart broke its moorings in strong winds on the 20th. The "Devil Cat" service between Georgetown and Melbourne was cancelled on the 28th, 29th and 31st due to strong winds and rough seas in Bass Strait. Power failure was caused by wind in the north on the 29th and in various areas around the State on the 31st.
Queensland Tropical cyclone NATHAN formed just east of the tip of Cape York Peninsula during the 21st, moved southeast causing strong winds and heavy rain until the 24th. The cyclone then moved eastward over the Coral Sea and weakened below tropical cyclone strength on the 27th. Tropical cyclone YALI formed on the 20th to the east of the Solomon Islands, gradually drifted across New Caledonia, then moved steadily toward the southeast Queensland coast before slipping south allowing winds to ease and swells to slowly abate. It weakened to a tropical depression during the 25th.
Queensland Severe thunderstorms with winds to180 km/h felled 5 large power transmission poles near Harlin (85km northwest of Brisbane). Also on the same day 271mm of rain was recorded at Springbrook National Park (85km south of Brisbane). New South Wales On the 1st at Barraba(North West Slopes) 2cm hail, 93km/h winds gusts and 42mm of rain fell in 20 minutes. Trees and branches were blown down and a roof was blown 100 metres off a machinery shed. On the 18th at Upper Crystal Creek (Northern Rivers), 300mm of rain fell in 180 minutes. Roads were washed away and cut by flood waters. South Australia On the 4th thunderstorms along a trough line produced wind squalls to 107 km/h at Coober Pedy. On the 12th heavy rain associated with thunderstorms fell in the far west of the state. Nullabor reported 49mm of rain in 24 hours. On the 23rd several waterspouts were observed about 10 km out to sea from Hallett Cove, about 25km southwest of Adelaide. Western Australia Wind damage to trees was reported from a thunderstorm downburst near Pingelly on the 1st. On the 10th a tornado and flash flooding occurred near Boyup Brook. A truck was pushed over, trees flattened and sheds were demolished. A school was partly inundated and pastures were scoured by flash flooding. Northern Territory Heavy rainfall from slow-moving thunderstorms associated with the monsoon trough produced flash flooding in the Darwin area on several occasions early in the month. On the 2nd arterial roads around the Darwin suburbs including the Stuart Highway were cut by flood waters for several hours. Some significant 24 hour rainfall totals to 9am on the 2nd were 230.4mm at Parap, 228.0mm at Ludmilla and 224.6mm at Darwin Airport, 150mm of which fell in 6 hours. On the 3rd local flooding in Darwin suburbs was produced by thunderstorms with significant 24 hour rainfall totals of 125.0mm at Coconut Grove and 118.2mm at Darwin Hospital. On the 5th thunderstorms at Casuarina produced 109.4mm of rain. On the 12th flash flooding from a slow-moving thunderstorm complex cut main roads in Darwin, 24 hour totals to 9am included 149.6mm at Casuarina, 112mm at Darwin Airport and 108.6mm at North Lakes and Darwin Hospital. On the 24th a gust of 91 km/h was recorded in a thunderstorm downburst at Koolpinya Station, 35 kilometres east of Darwin. No damage was reported in the storm.
Queensland Ex tropical cyclone MAY caused heavy rainfall and major flooding over the southeast Gulf of Carpentaria between the 26th of February and 6th of March.
New South Wales As well as having its highest mean maximum temperature for March on record, Sydney set new records in other areas. The highest mean temperature for March was 23.1°C. The previous record was 23.0°Cin 1968. There were six days over 30°C, equal highest with 1964 and 1965. Highest Mean Maximum Temperature for March
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Highest Mean Minimum Temperature for March
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Highest Daily Maximum Temperature for March
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Lowest Daily Maximum Temperature for March
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Lowest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Highest Daily Minimum Temperature for March
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Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Lowest Monthly Rainfall on Record for March
Previous Years of
Station Actual Lowest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Lowest Monthly Rainfall on Record for March
Previous Years of
Station Actual Lowest Year Record
mm mm
Tasmania
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for March
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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