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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - JULY 1999
Windy conditions occurred frequently in July over many parts of Australia. Several places along the northern coastal area of New South Wales reported highest monthly or daily rainfalls for July. Heavy rain events also occurred in the southwest of Western Australia and the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia
Victoria Thunderstorms south of Horsham produced gusts in excess of 85 km/hr. Trees were damaged. South Australia A complex low pressure system well south of the continent, moved slowly east during the third week of July. Fronts extending from this system brought gale force winds, thunderstorms, hail and high seas to most coastal districts, passing across the State on the 18th and 19th. On the 18th an electricity sub-station at Balhannah was struck by lightning four times in less than five hours between 5 and 10 pm. Hail the size of peas was reported from the towns of Crafers and Stirling during the evening.
Queensland The combination of a large high over southern Australia and a complex low over the east Coral Sea drove especially strong winds into Queenslands central and southern coast between the 25th and 27th. Cape Moreton recorded a southsoutheastly 10 minute mean wind of 96 km/h and a peak gust to 115 km/h during the 26th. East to southeast swells (reaching a significant height of 4.6m and a peak height of 9.5m on the 26th) exacerbated erosion at Gold Coast beaches. Tasmania Days when wind gusts of 100 km/h or more were recorded in the State were the 1st, 5th, 19th 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th and the 30th. The highest gust for the month was 128 km/h recorded on Mt Wellington on the 5th. Blackouts and wind damage occurred in various parts of the state on the 1st, 5th and the 19th. South Australia High winds, driving rain and lightning strikes cut power to more than 17,000 houses. Homes throughout the city and metropolitan area, southern Mount Lofty Ranges, southern Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, the Riverland and the Mid North were affected. The worst affected area was in the Southern Mt. Lofty Ranges. Gale force winds during the afternoon of the 18th caused localised dust storms over the eastern parts of the Hills, near Strathalbyn. Damage to farmland and trees, during the afternoon of the 18th, southwest of Victor Harbour, is suspected to have been caused by a tornado. Damage was confined to a long but narrow strip of farmland over two kilometres long but only eighty metres wide. The strong winds and persistent rain continued into the 19th. Western Australia Strengthening north to north-westerly winds buffeted the west coast during the 25th and 26th as a cold front approached. During the passage to the front on the 26th Swanbourne registered a gust to 117 km/h and other west coast sites experienced winds in excess of 80 km/h.
South Australia On the 9th there were reports of fog covering the eastern half of the settled areas. On the 10th - 11th sea fog across the Gulf of St Vincent moved inland during the early hours of the morning reducing visibility, and affecting air transport to and from Adelaide Airport until noon. On the 12th there was widespread fog across the Murray Lands, Upper and Lower Southeast, north from Adelaide extending to Port Wakefield and much of the northern parts of Eyre Peninsula, extending to and past Woomera. Isolated localised fog extending from Port Adelaide north to the Edinburgh RAAF base on the 13th, affected early flights from Edinburgh.
Northern Territory Over 200 grass and scrub fires in Darwin and adjacent rural areas and 18 fires in Katherine on the 1st were reported, following fireworks celebrations to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Northern Territory self government. No significant damage was reported. From the 22nd - 24th, bushfires destroyed large areas of pasture at Edith Farm near Katherine, at Point Stuart east of Darwin and at Mainaru in the Arnhem district.
South Australia On the 19th a primary school at Rapid Bay on Fleurieu Peninsula, was evacuated when an intense downpour caused flash flooding of small creeks in the area. At Second Valley, about 8km east of Rapid Bay, mud slides threatened a motel and three houses as rising water levels burst a river levee. At Yankalilla, a restaurant and motel was threatened with flooding when the local river rose rapidly. High seas caused extensive sand erosion along Adelaide metropolitan beaches. Western Australia A series of slow-moving cold fronts produced heavy rainfall near the coast in the lower west between the 2nd and the 4th. Several localities reported daily totals in excess of 75mm, including 92mm at both Bunbury and Dardanup on the 4th. Flooding developed in the Busselton area and a number of residences were evacuated as waters from the Vasse River and other waterways encroached on the town. Busselton Aerodrome reported 123mm of rain in the 48 hours to 9am on the 4th.
Highest Mean Maximum Temperature for July
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
C C
New South Wales
Hume Reservoir 13.8 13.7 1993 77
Highest Mean Minimum Temperature for July
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
C C
New South Wales
Cessnock 6.7 6.4 1993 33
Highest Daily Minimum Temperature for July
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Baralaba PO 17.2 1 17.0 1973/93/98 33
New South Wales
Cessnock 13.7 15 13.4 1992 33
Lowest Daily Maximum Temperature for July
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Lowest Year Record
C C
Northern Territory
Gove Airport 23.0 2 24.4 1986 20
Victoria R Downs 13.0 2 15.6 1968 31
Wave Hill 18.4 2 18.6 1978 25
Brunette Downs 14.4 2 15.3 1984 32
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for July
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
New South Wales
Yarrowitch 218.2 196.4 1985 39
Cape Byron 357.6 329.0 1962 48
Wooli Beach 245.0 176.6 1988 36
Meerschaumvale (Barden)
312.2 264.1 1973 30
Meerschaumvale (Jenbetdaph)
308.8 264.1 1973 31
Coffs Harbour 374.8 286.7 1945 56
Bretti 201.6 167.3 1985 37
Long Flat PO 206.4 202.2 1985 93
Gloucester 193.8 146.7 1985 33
Comboyne South 531.2 493.2 1985 33
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for July
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
New South Wales
Birdwood 281.4 178.4 1973 30
Mulbring 188.8 187.2 1965 68
Wollombi 121.4 116.8 1988 46
Ourimbah 201.6 196.0 1988 46
Salisbury 226.2 180.8 1985 39
Congewai 152.0 144.7 1962 40
Glendon Brook 114.6 111.8 1965 38
Dungog 191.0 121.8 1985 39
Yallambie 131.4 119.6 1988 40
St Albans 159.2 125.6 1965 36
Cessnock 126.7 99.0 1998 33
Woy Woy 195.0 190.4 1988 34
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for July
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
New South Wales
Nambucca Heads 175.0 14 168.7 1950 95
Smoky Cape 163.6 14 112.3 1949 60
Coffs Harbour 138.4 14 115.2 1996 56
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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