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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - MARCH 1999
Severe tropical cyclones Vance and Elaine resulted in significant damage and disruption in Western Australia. The remnants of Vance brought gale force winds to South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. An upper level trough resulted in severe thunderstorms and heavy rain to south Australia, Victoria and Tasmania between the 1st and 3rd of March.
Northern Territory/Western Australia Severe tropical cyclone Vance formed as a low as a monsoon trough near Darwin on the 15th and drifted westwards into the Timor Sea. The system was named by the Darwin Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) during the afternoon of the 18th while located off the far north Kimberley coast then moved into the area of responsibility of the Perth TCWC. Intensifying steadily, Vance travelled in a westsouthwest direction and developed into a severe tropical cyclone (category 3) late on the 19th. The cyclone changed direction towards the southwest and Vance was upgraded to category 5 overnight on the 20th. Late on the 21st the severe cyclone changed track to a southerly course and headed towards the Exmouth/Onslow area. The eye of the cyclone passed across Exmouth Gulf approximately 25 km to the east of Exmouth and 80 km to the west of Onslow during the morning of the 22nd. A record wind gust speed for mainland Australia of 267 km/h was registered at the Learmonth Meteorological Office, 35 km south of Exmouth, shortly before midday. At Onslow the recorded maximum wind gust was 174 km/h. Widespread damage was inflicted on many buildings and services at Exmouth. A significant number of houses were destroyed or severely damaged. The combination of very high seas and high tides caused severe erosion of the beachfront at Exmouth. Three large barges were stranded on the edge of Beadon Creek near Onslow. The cyclone crossed the southern part of Exmouth Gulf on the 22nd then moved inland and began to weaken. By the morning of the 23rd Vance was moving through the Gascoyne-Murchison districts towards the southeast at 50 km/h. Meekatharra registered mean wind speeds of 78 km/h with gusts to 96 km/h. Later that day Vance was downgraded to a category 1 cyclone and passed to the northeast of Kalgoorlie. A number of sites near the path of Vance received record rains and flooding in the southern Goldfields. The main highway and rail link to the eastern states were cut by floodwaters. Early on the 24th the remnants of Vance moved over waters of the Great Australian Bight and caused gale force winds over parts of South Australia and Victoria later that day. Western Australia Tropical cyclone Elaine was named early on the 17th while approximately 850km to the northwest of Port Hedland. The cyclone followed a southwesterly track and by the 18th had developed into a severe tropical cyclone (category 3) with an estimated central pressure of 960 hPa. During the 18th and 19th Elaine moved in a southerly direction and began to weaken. On the 20th it had weakened into an ex-tropical cyclone and was located approximately 155km westnorthwest of Kalbarri. The remnants of Elaine crossed the coast to the north near Kalbarri on the morning of the 20th and produced record-breaking rain in the northern agricultural areas. Cumulative daily rainfall totals at a number of sites in the region exceeded 100mm. A major flood of the Moore River inundated the town of Moora causing damage to most buildings as the floodwaters spread throughout the area. There were also reports of equipment and stock losses. Tropical cyclone Frederic was named on the 28th approximately 1000km to the northwest of Exmouth. It moved on a westerly track and steadily intensified. On the 1st of April severe tropical cyclone Frederic (estimated central pressure 915 hPa) passed from the Perth TCWC area of responsibility and into the warning area of La Réunion Meteorological Service. Continuing on a westerly course the storm was renamed TC Evrina. By the 5th the weakening storm dissipated, and was located near 19oS, 70oE.
South Australia In the early hours of the morning of the 2nd a scrub fire near Emu Springs, in the state's Southeast district was believed to have been caused by lightning.
New South Wales On the 4th at Wollar (Central tablelands) 2cm hail was reported and 89 km/h wind gusts blew down large branches. Hail 5cm in diameter occurred at Mt Darra (South Coast). At Taree (Mid-North Coast) 139 km/h gusts were recorded and some damage was reported. On the 5th at Copmanhurst (Northern Rivers) 93 km/h wind gusts were recorded. A hotel and 2 homes had roof damage and large trees and power lines were brought down. On the 7th at Stawell (Mid-North Coast) 66mm of rain fell in 60 minutes. On the 12th at Leura (Central Tablelands) 2.5cm hail was reported. On the 13th hail 2cm in diameter was reported at Kiama (Illawarra) and Paytens Bridge (Central West Slopes). At Singleton (Hunter) 93 km/h winds damaged roofs. On the 14th Scone (Hunter) reported 2.5cm hail and 2cm hail at Carey Bay. On the 18th 25kms west of Girilambone (Central West Plains) 90mm of rain fell in 60 minutes. On the 19th at Deniliquin (Riverina) recorded 50mm of rain in 20 minutes. Flash flooding was reported. Victoria On the 2nd severe thunderstorms occurred in the Central, North Central, Western and West Gippsland districts. At Maffra 110mm of rain was recorded in 30 minutes. There was water damage to buildings and shops. In the Geelong area 53mm of rain was recorded at Corio. In the Melbourne metropolitan area high rainfall rates were reported at Watsonia, Lower Plenty, Melton and Healesville. At Donvale 73mm was recorded in 40 minutes. Large hail occurred at Melton (golf ball size) and Corio. There was an unconfirmed report of a tornado at Horsham (Wimmera). At Mt Challicum (Western district) 31mm of rain was recorded in 45 minutes. On the 3rd severe thunderstorms occurred in the Central and North Central districts. Large hail and heavy rain leading to local flash flooding was reported at Wallan. Golf ball size hail was observed at Trawool near Seymour and power was cut to thousands of homes. On the 21st heavy rain and damaging winds were reported at Wesburn (outer eastern suburb of Melbourne) which caused damage to the local hotel. On the 24th/25th severe damaging gusts and gales which were caused by ex-tropical cyclone Vance occurred in Alpine and southern areas. Maximum recorded gusts were recorded at Mt Hotham and Mt Buller 109 km/h, Fawkner Beacon 108 km/h, Dunns Hill 102 km/h and Melbourne Harbour Control 98 km/h, Kilmore Gap 95 km/h, and Sheoks 93 km/h. South Australia A wild hail storm and heavy rains associated with an upper level trough swept through parts of the Adelaide Hills during the afternoon of the 1st. A property owner at Woodchester, near Strathalbyn recorded 45mm of rain in 45 minutes and hailstones the size of 10 cent pieces. Minor street flooding was reported from many Hills towns near Strathalbyn. Lightning strikes on the 1st ignited three fires in the southeast of the state. A house was struck by lightning causing damage and two small fires were started in trees. Torrential rain with thunderstorms across some northern suburbs of Adelaide on the 18th caused flooding to roads, houses and backyards. The damage bill is expected to be more than 500,000 dollars. Western Australia On the 12th a storm caused flash flooding at Dalwallinu (Northern Agricultural district) as 50.2mm of rain fell in 30 minutes. Gutters overflowed leading to the inundation of many houses and shops. During the afternoon of the 15th golf ball size hail occurred in the Leonora area near Kookynie and Leinster. Other storms that day produced wind gusts to 93 km/h and 17mm of rain in 2 hours at Esperance. Desert Fringe, about 180 km to the northwest of Esperance recorded 48mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on the 16th. Northern Territory On the 1st a gusty thunderstorm squall line caused damage in the rural area south of Darwin Harbour. On the 7th a squall line associated with a southerly change produced a wind gust of 87 km/h at Alice Springs. No damage was reported. On the 10th a slow moving thunderstorm caused flash flooding in Darwin suburbs and the rural areas south of Darwin.
Queensland A tornado damaged a house at Eumundi on the Sunshine Coast on the 1st. South Australia The remains of tropical cyclone Vance which devastated the Western Australian towns of Exmouth and Onslow then moved over land causing heavy rain in the Goldfields of Western Australia and moved into the Great Australia Bight during the morning of the 24th. The storm then proceeded to move southeast parallel to the coast. Land gale warnings were issued for a large part of the western half of the settled areas. Storm activity over the Eyre Peninsula and the Gulfs and the ensuing strong winds brought down power lines and the lightning started grass fires. A duststorm affected most of the western settled area during the afternoon of the 24th with visibility being reduced to 50 metres in parts of the Eyre Peninsula. Tasmania Gales on the 22nd broke boats from their moorings in eastern areas of the State due to strong winds. Western Australia Western Australia recorded the highest wind gust on Mainland Australia at Learmonth on the 22nd with 267km/h as a result of tropical cyclone Vance. The previous highest recorded wind gust was at Mardie in 1975 with 259km/h.
Queensland Widespread heavy rainfalls at the beginning of the month resulted in flood warnings being issued for the majority of the western rivers and south east Queensland rivers. Following heavy coastal rains in the middle of the month, flood warnings were issued for several of the north tropical rivers. Rivers and catchments that were affected were the Mary, Bulloo, Warrego, Paroo, Logan-Albert, Border Rivers, Moonie, Condamine-Balonne, Cooper Creek, Tully, Johnson, Barron and Herbert. Tasmania Flooding occurred in the Meander River in the north of the State on the 3rd. Residents in Meander described the flooding as the worst in 82 years. A landslip caused by the heavy rain and flooding is expected to add significantly to the cost of dredging the Tamar River. South Australia The remnants of tropical cyclone Elaine brought rainfall to most of the settled areas. The rain commenced during the evening of the 20th and ceased late in the afternoon of the 21st. Twenty-four hour totals were mainly in excess of 20mm with some recording up to 50mm in the Mt Lofty Ranges. Some localised flooding was reported from low lying areas in the western suburbs of Adelaide and also in the Mt Lofty Ranges.
Highest Mean Minimum Temperature for March
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
C C
Northern Territory
Alice Springs 20.9 20.8 1971 57
Highest Daily Minimum Temperature for March
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Te Kowai 28.5 1 26.2 1997 34
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for Any Month
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Date Record
mm mm
Western Australia
Bindi Bindi 205.8 188.1 7/1958 56
Bullfinch 204.2 168.2 6/1968 87
Hyde Park 210.8 177.0 6/1923 88
Jourerdine 194.6 183.1 6/1968 50
Kalannie 185.0 172.9 6/1968 65
Lyons River 232.0 214.7 3/1933 93
Mouroubra 218.4 151.1 6/1968 53
Turkey Hill North
233.7 219.2 3/1943 68
Wattoning 206.6 178.2 6/1968 90
Wailki 200.4 178.1 6/1968 63
Wailki South 211.4 176.2 6/1968 59
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for March
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Babinda PO 1907.4 1859.6 1939 89
Gordonvale PO 1063.6 964.4 1967 37
Mt Sophia 1298.0 1156.1 1971 32
Millmerran PO 286.0 284.0 1989 100
New South Wales
Delungra 180.3 173.8 1931 70
Tooraweenah 226.4 145.8 1956 79
Tasmania
Hobart Airport 87.7 82.8 1983 40
Western Australia
Badgingarra 147.0 78.6 1995 35
Badgingarra RS 104.8 76.4 1995 37
Balgerbine 155.0 133.9 1971 40
Barberton 121.0 118.2 1934 88
Berkshire V. 176.1 105.9 1934 93
Bulong 222.4 144.9 1937 103
Coolgardie 219.4 136.8 1992 107
Cowarna Downs 159.6 107.8 1974 32
Eneabba 137.2 49.2 1975 33
Geraldton 135.2 88.7 1963 57
Goodlands 138.6 113.5 1971 48
Green Grove 142.6 57.0 1975 46
Jurien 85.0 56.7 1971 31
Kalgoorlie-Boulder
197.0 142.8 1974 61
Kondut 134.6 125.5 1971 68
Konnongorring 105.5 80.1 1917 76
Lake Hinds 161.2 140.5 1942 74
Miling 188.9 102.6 1971 70
Mukinbudin 152.0 128.1 1971 71
Moningarin 186.6 150.4 1971 89
Mount Hale 188.0 182.8 1933 52
Ora Banda 203.8 163.8 1992 69
Piawaning 138.4 96.7 1971 40
Walebing 154.1 121.8 1934 109
Watheroo 188.2 99.8 1917 99
Wittenoom 338.6 319.6 1984 49
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for Any Month
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Date Record
mm mm
Western Australia
Bindi Bindi 92.8 21 76.2 1939 55
Willi Gulli N. 120.4 20 97.0 1923 47
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for March
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Date Record
mm mm
Queensland
Mareeba QWRC 212.0 15 141.5 1964 48
Gordonvale PO 478.0 12 277.1 1964 37
Caldervale Stn 117.2 2 111.8 1949 65
Stonehenge 108.8 3 107.7 1955 79
Jambin PO 148.0 4 127.5 1940 73
Beerburrum Forest Stn
148.5 1 141.0 1901 102
Kin Kin PO 197.0 1 186.2 1989 31
Leyburn PO 129.0 3 113.5 1963 117
Ellangowan 80.0 3 58.8 1994 47
Leslie Dam 82.2 4 81.5 1963 85
Dillalah 97.0 3 71.1 1937 72
Cunnyana 75.2 3 68.0 1990 32
Whyenbah 80.0 1 71.0 1982 112
Western Australia
Badginarra RS 74.0 20 49.4 1995 33
Barberton 65.0 20 62.2 1948 71
Berkshire Valley76.0 21 65.5 1934 75
Eneabba 75.0 20 37.0 1975 31
Geraldton 100.8 20 88.4 1963 52
Green Grove 91.4 20 38.6 1975 38
Jurien 50.4 20 33.5 1971 30
Miling 73.5 21 68.3 1971 56
Mount Hale 55.4 23 51.6 1933 36
Walebing 64.5 21 59.9 1920 77
Watheroo 83.8 21 58.9 1971 72
Wialki 72.2 21 55.1 1953 52
Wittenoom 170.8 23 104.9 1973 42
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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