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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - JUNE 2000 June was marked by several episodes of gales and winter thunderstorms over southern Australia with accompanying hail and reputed tornadoes. Severe frosts were reported in Queensland in the first week following a cold outbreak. There was extensive damage to crops on the Atherton Tablelands. Bushfires in the Northern Territory burnt scrub and threatened homes.
New South Wales On the 21st, a line of thunderstorms moved across the Southwest Slopes and Southern Tablelands with gusty winds. The SES received 15 calls for assistance. At Wagga Wagga (South West Slopes) wind was recorded at 89 km/h and at Goulburn (Southern Tablelands) wind was recorded at 93 km/h. Victoria On the 21st, a trough moving rapidly through the state produced thunderstorms and severe gusts. Swan Hill AWS recorded a gust of 92km/h and damage occurred in the Northeast, mainly around Cobram. The SES attended 55 jobs. Wind Gusts, estimated at possibly severe were reported at Shepparton and Yarrawonga. A tornado sighting was reported at Wallan in the Central district, a narrow damage path was observed. On the 22nd, tornadoes caused damage to houses and trees at Rochester and Kyabram, they were rated between F1 and F2. A family at Rochester escaped serious injury when the tornado passed over their house. South Australia Thunderstorms were reported from across the agricultural districts on the 21st and 22nd, minor damage to property was reported. A cold southerly change on the 28th brought heavy hail showers to much of the southern agricultural districts. On the South Eastern Freeway between Crafers and Stirling, in the Mount Lofty Ranges a hail storm caused five separate motor vehicle accidents involving 20 cars and 1 semi-trailer. Western Australia On the 10th, localities near the lower west and south coast experienced strong to gale force winds during the passage of an active cold front. The Mount Barker town hall (north of Albany) lost part of its roof, gusts to 104 km/h were recorded at Cape Naturaliste and Rottnest Island. On the 20th, a series of cold fronts crossing the west coast produced wind gusts in excess of 90 km/h at a number of sites. Cape Leeuwin recorded gusts to 115 km/h and Rottnest Island 107 km/h. The strong winds damaged some of the roof of the Northcliffe hotel (far southwest WA). Three tornadoes were sighted near Pearce (north of Perth), but there have been no reports of damage. On the 30th, storms developed in the vicinity of Perth and a tornado damaged several properties in the East Fremantle area. The short duration tornado produced a damage trail about 30 metres wide that extended 800 metres long in an east southeast direction from near the Cantonment Hill Signal Station, wind speeds were estimated to have reached 150 km/h.
South Australia A series of cold fronts between the 20th and 23rd produced strong to gale force winds across the agricultural districts. On the 20th, gale force winds coupled with high tides caused minor flooding to low lying areas in some north western suburbs of Adelaide and caused minor damage to property on Eyre Peninsula. Wind gusts on the 21st reached 95km/h at Renmark and 106km/h at Coles Point. Further strong to gale force winds on the 22nd caused minor property damage at Warooka. Strathalbyn recorded a wind gust of 95km/h. Tasmania On the 1st strong winds blew down trees over power lines causing blackouts in several areas around the State.
Northern Territory On the 2nd, a deliberately lit bushfire burnt 30 hectares of scrub and threatened over 20 homes in a subdivision near Noonamah, 35 km southeast of Darwin. On the 5th and 6th, deliberately lit fires threatened homes at Humpty Doo, Elizabeth Valley, Lake Bennett and Darwin River. On the 7th, a helicopter and a 20 kilometre fire break were required to protect the town of Batchelor from a bushfire, 70 km south of Darwin. The fire was deliberately lit near Snake Creek, northwest of Adelaide River and burnt about 140 sq km before being contained. Other fires on the 6th and 7th occurred south of Noonamah and at Acacia Gap, on the Adelaide River flood plains. Fires were also deliberately lit on the 10th and 11th at Acacia Hills, Berry Springs, Darwin River and Manton Dam, threatening many homes. On the 13th, a fire burnt 60 hectares of bushland in the Darwin suburb of Ludmilla, requiring backburning to save over 50 homes and causing zero visibility along nearby roads
South Australia Snow was reported to have fallen at Hallett, in the Lower North on the 28th.
Queensland A cold outbreak that began at the end of May continued into the first few days of June. A deep low over the Tasman Sea and a high over the Bight drove very cold dry air across all but the far north. Frosts were widespread when the winds eased, extensive damage to tobacco, vegetable and fruit crops was reported over the Atherton Tablelands, with this event said to be the worst since 1984.
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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