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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - SEPTEMBER 1997
Introduction
Tornadoes
Thunderstorms
Bushfires
Flooding
Wind
Temperature
Rainfall
During September, there were numerous bushfires in the northern parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Tornadoes were observed in Western Australia and Victoria. Severe thunderstorms, some with large hail, occurred across most of the country during the month.
Victoria
On the 4th a funnel and possible tornado
was reported located about 70km to the north of
Melbourne. On the 7th a small tornado was
reported at Tatura in the Northern Country.
Mature gum trees were snapped off and damage
occurred to farm sheds. It was also reported that a
calf was picked up and thrown over a fence. 6
sheep and a calf were reported killed.
Western Australia
On the 5th a tornado to the north of
Kukerin (250 km south east of Perth), moving
towards the south-east, snapped trees estimated to
be up to 600 mm in diameter at around 1345 WST.
Hail associated with the severe thunderstorm
reportedly damaged approximately 1,000 hectares
of crops in the area.
Other tornadic activity, on the same day,
cut a swathe measuring about 3 km long and 100
metres wide through the Gnagarra pine plantation
(50 km north of Perth). Moving in a south easterly
direction the storm then moved across native
banksia bush causing isolated damage. Several
residents in the Chidlow area (50 km east north
east of Perth) reported very strong winds and
falling branches at 1830 WST. An area of native
vegetation (60 km east of Perth) measuring about
1 km long and 400 metres wide was extensively
damaged by destructive winds moving towards the
south east. Wandoo and Marri trees measuring 300
mm in diameter were snapped of at around 1.5
metres above ground level, and the winds uprooted
several significantly larger trees.
On the 11th at 1145 WST heavy rain, 25
mm in 30 minutes, accompanied the sighting of a
tornado approximately 40 km's to the west of
Ravensthorpe in the southern agricultural district.
No details of damage are available.
Queensland
Two empty double cattle trucks were blown
over at Millmerran in the Western Darling Downs
during the 20th by a pulse severe storm. Heavy hail
fall observed at Logan City (south of Brisbane)
during the same day - mostly disk shaped to 2.5cm
but also a few tadpole shaped stones. Trees and a
building under construction were severely
damaged by a storm at Ormeau (south of Brisbane)
during the 22nd.
Many severe thunderstorms with hail and strong
winds lashed the Rockhampton area on the 23rd,
including passionfruit size hail at Bajool and golf
ball size at Upper Ulam. Damage to trees, crops,
windows and bruised cattle were reported. Late in
the evening an unattended, moored sailing boat
was stuck by lightning causing the aerial on the
mast to fuse, blew apart electronic underwater
fittings leaving a 4cm hole which sunk the boat.
New South Wales
On the 5th Armidale (Northern Tablelands) had
wind gusts to 102 km/h and Gloucester (Mid North
Coast) hail 2cm in diameter. On the 7th Wagga
Wagga (South West Slopes) had wind gusts to 91
km/h with some tree and roof damage reported. At
Leeton, Hay and Narrandera, some tree and roof
damage was also reported . On the 20th Castle Hill
and Riverstone (Metropolitan) had hail 4cm in
diameter, no damage was reported, and at Grafton
(Northern Rivers) hail 2cm in diameter was
reported.
Victoria
On the 2nd, thunderstorms produced small hail
in the Central, North Central, Northern Country
and Northeast districts. On the 3rd at Laen near
Donald, a dense cover of 2 to 3 cm diameter hail
was reported. On the 4th hail 2cm to 2.5cm in
diameter was reported at Lakes Entrance and Yea.
The Westgate Freeway was closed during the
afternoon due to hail. At Geelong hail to 2cm in
diameter caused an estimated $10,000 damage to
a tree nursery, cars were also damaged.
South Australia
On the 17th, localised flash flooding occurred
west of Penong (West Coast) as a result of a severe
thunderstorm. An estimated 30 to 50 mm of rain
fell in 15 to 20 minutes, gouging out erosion gullies
up to metre deep. On the 18th, large hail 4 to 5 cm
in diameter damaged cereal crops over a 30 km
path between Penong and Koonibba (West Coast).
Western Australia
Numerous bushfires in the north of the state had
been burning from around mid September to near
the end of the month. In the Mt Minnie area (60 km
south east of Onslow), a fire burnt out
approximately 12,000 hectares and threatened a
home stead before a wind change saved the
property.
In the East Kimberley near Flora Valley (east of
Halls Creek) a fire was contained after destroying
37,000 hectares of vegetation. To the north of
Halls Creek, at Molla Bulla, graders and
helicopters were being used to control a 25,000
hectare fire burning on two fronts.
Northern Territory
Dry fresh and gusty easterly winds produced a
period of near extreme to extreme fire danger over
the Top End from the 9th to the 12th. Very high fire
danger was also experienced in the Darwin region
on the 8th, from the 13th to the 23rd and on the 28th.
A fire at Holmes Jungle on the 9th and at Marrara,
Knuckeys Lagoon and Cox Peninsula on the 10th
threatened homes, mango plantations and a
crocodile breeding farm, Crocodylus Park. Smoke
from these fires closed rural roads, affected the
eastern approach to the main runway at Darwin
Airport and covered Darwin's northern Suburbs.
Fires at McMinns Lagoon and Benjamins Lagoon
on the 23rd and 24th also threatened properties and
burnt out an area of 20 sq km.
Tasmania
Near Burnie, one house was flooded and several
houses were threatened with flooding when a farm
dam burst its banks during rainfall on the 7th.
South Australia
On the 7th, squally winds associated with a cold
front, caused isolated damage in the Adelaide Hills
and southern Mt Lofty Ranges. The highest
recorded wind gust was 90 km/hr at Strathalbyn.
Highest Daily Minimum Temperature for September
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Maryborough 22.2 28 20.6 1971,89 41
Highest Daily Maximum Temperature for September
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
St Lawrence 34.0 28 33.9 1963,69 40
Mackay 32.3 27 32.2 1970 39
Northern Territory
Katherine 40.5 28 40.1 1989 40
Highest Mean Minimum Temperature for September
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Thargomindah 13.6 13.4 1965 60
Highest Mean Maximum Temperature for September
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Collinsville 31.1 30.9 1980 43
Northern Territory
Brunette Downs 36.7 35.6 1983 33
Tennant Creek 34.3 33.9 1983 28
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for September
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Applethorpe 49.0 21 43.2 1975 30
Dajarra 26.2 29 25.4 1947 58
Mossman Mill 93.8 01 68.6 1947 88
Western Australia
Carnarvon 29.0 05 18.8 1956 52
Northern Territory
Riveren 40.0 30 20.0 1975 28
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for September
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
New South Wales
Coolabah 100.8 82.1 1906 99
Nyngan 112.4 85.6 1949 118
Breeza 115.6 115.4 1892 114
Gunnedah 126.2 122.1 1970 120
Mullaley 119.3 104.6 1949 98
South Australia
Penong 96.8 94.0 1892 106
Ardrossan 87.4 86.8 1992 118
Port Vincent 100.4 97.7 1926 101
Kingscote 136.0 114.2 1917 121
Western Australia
Carnarvon 30.4 22.2 1986 52
Northern Territory
Riveren 40.0 31.8 1975 28
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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