SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - JULY 1996

Summary Tropical Cyclones Thunderstorms/Wind Flooding Temperature Rainfall

SUMMARY

Strong winds associated with thunderstorms were exprienced throughout the month in most states causing widespread damage to property and vegetation. In Western Australia tropical cyclone LINDSAY caused no significant damage.

TROPICAL CYCLONES

Western Australia

Tropical cyclone LINDSAY commenced as a tropical low to the north of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on the 9th. The system drifted in a southsouthwesterly direction and only retained cyclone status for about 18 hours before weakening to a tropical low as it drifted further to the south. Cocos Island Meteorological Office recorded a maximum wind gust of 81 km/h on the 11th and 81.6mm of rain in the 72 hours to 0930am on the 12th.

THUNDERSTORMS/WINDS

On the 2nd at Swanbourne a wind gust of 139 km/h was recorded as an active cold frontal system approached the west coast.

On the 15th a squall line damaged properties in the Mirrabooka, Dianella and Claremont (Perth metropolitan) areas. Later that day a tornado unroofed and caused structural damage to some premises in suburban Kings Park and South Perth.

On the 17th winds caused damage to property and vegetation in the vicinity of Clarkson (Perth northern suburb between Wanneroo and Queinns Rocks), possibly as a result of a weak tornado.

On the 27th other tornadoes were considered to be responsible for several houses being unroofed at Mandurah and tree damage in the Jandakot area.

On the 29th heavy pre-fontal showers and storms produced local flooding and wind damage around Rockingham. A weak tornado affected some bushland in the Chittering Valley.

Victoria

On the 31st, severe gusts caused damage at an estimated 1 million dollars in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Trees toppled onto houses and power lines, about 40 houses and buildings were damaged and many homes lost power. Severe winds were recorded at Fawkner Beacon 109 km/h, Dunns Hill 102 km/h, Melbourne Airport 98 km/h and Cape Otway 93 km/h.

South Australia

Gale force winds uprooted trees in the Port Pirie area on the 16th.

Northern Territory

Gusts to 91 km/h were recorded at Alice Springs Airport on the 25th. This was associated with a line of thunderstorms in a deep trough. An aircraft tied down at Mereenie (225 kilometres westsouthwest of Alice Springs) was severely damaged by wind gusts on the same day.

FLOODING

South Australia
Heavy rains caused flooding of the Gawler River on the 21st.

TEMPERATURE

Highest Mean Maximum Temperature for July

                      Previous         Years of
Station       Actual   Highest  Year    Record
                øC      øC

Northern Territory

Rabbit Flat   28.5     28.1    1990      27
Yuendumu      23.7     23.1    1988/91   29

                      Previous         Years of
Station       Actual   Highest  Year    Record
                øC      øC

Western Australia

Carnarvon      14.3     13.6    1949      50    

Northern Territory

Yuendumu        9.9      7.5    1969      29

             
                               Previous           Years of
Station      Actual    Date     Highest   Year      Record
               øC                 øC

Queensland

Burketown      34.6     20       34.5      1973       36
Mt Isa         33.7     19       32.2      1974       30
Hughenden      33.9     25       33.4      1976       31
Mackay Airport 28.2     20       27.6      1993       37
St Lawrence    31.2     20       30.6      1964       36
Clermont       30.5     25       29.7      1993       35
Tambo          29.6     19       28.9      1981       40
Barcaldine     32.0     19       30.7      1993       35
Blackall       31.3     19       30.1      1958       40
Isisford       32.5     19       31.0      1974       35
Longreach      34.0     19       31.5      1976       31
Camooweal      34.0     19       33.1      1976       40
Winton         34.6     19       32.0      1981       40

Northern Territory

Alice Springs  31.6     23       30.2      1943       54
Rabbit Flat    35.2     18       35.2      1995       25

                              Previous            Years of
Station     Actual    Date     Highest   Year      Record
              øC                 øC
Queensland

Normanton     26.0      3       23.9     1990        40

 
                             Previous             Years of
Station     Actual    Date    Lowest     Year      Record
              øC                øC
Queensland

Mackay A/P    0.3      17      3.8       1965        37
Bundaberg     3.0      17      4.4       1960        38

RAINFALL

Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for July

                           Previous             Years of
     Station     Actual     Highest     Year     Record
                   mm          mm

New South Wales

Pooncarie         81.4        71.7       1917      113

Victoria

Bannockburn P.O.  96.6        96.3       1936       95

Western Australia

Canna            150.4       135.7       1972       77
Cashmere Downs   119.8       104.7       1960       67
Minilya          206.0       199.9       1923       92
Mount Magnet     102.6        95.3       1963      102
Mullewa          175.6       136.2       1958       98
Paynes Find       88.8        87.0       1985       35
Rocky Gully      214.2       205.5       1964       40
Warner Glen      398.2       308.9       1964       47
Yalgoo           130.2       110.8       1960       98

                                   Previous           Years of
     Station     Actual   Date      Highest   Year     Record
                   mm                 mm

Western Australia

Carnarvon         90.8     15        81.8     1952      51
Minilya          166.8     15       159.8     1931      69
 

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