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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - MAY 2001
Severe thunderstorm activity through northeast New South Wales and southeast Queensland caused damage during the month. Multiple water spouts were observed north of Yeppoon on the 6th and large hail at Ipswich on the 17th, associated with these storms. The passage of a series of cold fronts across southern Australia during the second half of the month caused widespread blackouts in Perth and nearby towns Toodyay and Gingin, severe storms in the southwest of Western Australia, squally conditions with minor damage through southern South Australia and gusty winds across Tasmania. Extensive bushfires in the Northern Territory caused significant pasture losses.
Queensland On the 6th a tornado with estimated wind gusts of 75-90 km/h occurred in north Yeppoon. Multiple water spouts were also observed in Keppel Bay. On the 17th storms formed in the area west of Ipswich and moved across Brisbane and the Gold Coast hinterland during the afternoon and evening. The two most intense cells tracked rapidly southeast through Ipswich, Beaudesert and Lamington National Park. Hail 5cm in diameter and strong winds were reported from Ipswich. Trees were brought down and drifts of small hail up to 25cm deep were reported 10 kilometres south of Amberley. On the 21st 100mm of rain was reported from farming properties near Kalbar (northwest of Boonah) as a result of a thunderstorm. Severe hail damage to crops was reported. New South Wales On the 5th at Morisset (Hunter) 3cm hail was reported. On the 6th at Wollongbar (Northern Rivers) 2.5cm hail, heavy rain and strong winds were reported. South Australia A tornado occurred at Moorak, southwest of Mount Gambier (Lower South East) on the 5th. No damage was reported. Western Australia On the 6th a thunderstorm tracking towards the Gascoyne coast produced a tornado that was sighted in the early hours of the morning coming over the coast near Horrochs Beach (approximately 43 kilometres northwest of Geraldton) travelling southeast through Howatharra and Nanson. The tornado tracked inland, leaving a 180 kilometre long path of destruction. Shed and roof damage along a fairly narrow strip was reported and power poles were broken in half. Many trees were broken and blown over in various directions with heavy rainfall occurring after the tornado’s passage. Duration of the tornado was estimated to have been around 3 hours. On the 12th a series of moderate cold fronts swept through the South West Land Division causing heavy rain, lightning and thunderstorms. Storms in the Lower West districts caused damage to powerlines resulting in blackouts from Sorrento in the north to Safety Bay in the south, leaving thousands of Perth homes without power. Blackouts also affected Toodyay and Gingin, north of Perth. About a dozen residents had roof damage and three families were evacuated from their home in Quinns Rock after a 6 metre retaining wall collapsed due to water damage. A short-lived hailstorm struck Middleton Beach in Albany at about 10.15am, causing the area to be blanketed in small hail. No damage was reported from the storm.
Tasmania Gusts of 90 km/h or greater were recorded on the following days: Eddystone Point on the 17th; Mount Wellington on the 17th-20th, 23rd and 24th; Derwent Estuary on the 17th. South Australia Strong and squally winds generated by low pressure systems affected southern districts on the 15th and on the 26-27th. Minor tree damage was reported from the Adelaide Hills on the 15th. Wind gusts of 90 km/h were recorded in association with showers at Port Elliot (Mount Lofty Ranges) on the 15th and at Coles Point (Lower Eyre Peninsula) early on the 27th. Western Australia On the 13th strong and gusty southwest winds accompanied the passage of a moderate cold front with several sites recording wind speeds in excess of 80 km/h including Rottnest Island (82 km/h), Cape Leeuwin (83 km/h) and Albany (80 km/h). Swell up to 5 metres was reported between Perth and Rottnest Island causing havoc to shipping in the area and creating extremely dangerous conditions for those competitors in the Fremantle to Carnarvon yacht race.
Northern Territory On the 28th, a bushfire burnt 11 rural blocks at Darwin River, destroying 4 cars and threatening homes. A controlled burn escaped and burnt through 10 pastoral stations south of Daly Waters during the last week of the month. By early June, 15-20,000 square kilometres were estimated to have been burnt by this fire as it swept through Nutwood Downs, Maryfield, Kalala and Amungeemungee stations then across the Stuart Highway into Hayfield station. Further south, fires also caused significant pasture losses on Mt Doreen and Newhaven stations near Yuendumu and on Mt Skinner and Bushy Park stations north of Alice Springs. During the middle of the month, many fires in the Barkly region caused significant pasture losses, including 600 square kilometres burnt on Brunchilly Station, northwest of Tennant Creek.
New South Wales A low developed off the north Coast of New South Wales on the 5th while a high remained in the southern Tasman Sea. Between these systems, strong southeasterly winds, converging onto the coast, brought very heavy rain, particularly to the Metropolitan and Hunter districts, from the 5th to the 8th. Some stations recorded their highest rainfalls for May.
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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