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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - OCTOBER 1997
Several large bushfires occurred over northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory during October. At the end of
October a depression was associated with thunderstorms and windy conditions over south-eastern Australian states. Several
locations in South Australia reported their highest daily rainfall on record for October on the 31st.
Western Australia Several large fires and numerous smaller outbreaks ravaged parts of the Pilbara and Kimberley during October. Around
60,000 hectares of land, about 150 kilometres to the south-east of Broome (near Dampier Downs station), was burnt during
the first week of the month. Another fire razed an estimated 50,000 hectares of country near Cherrabun station, about 100
kilometres to the south of Fitzroy Crossing. In the Pilbara, a large fire burning for more than two weeks burnt through more
than 400,000 hectares of land about 80 kilometres to the west of Newman. While closer to the coast fires affected 98,000
hectares of pastoral property near Ningaloo station (south of Exmouth). Northern Territory Two periods of extreme fire danger occurred in central parts of the Territory, from the 13th to the 16th and from the 18th to
the 22nd. Two major wildfires occurred during these periods, one on Tennant Creek Station and the other on Mittiebah
Stations. Each fire burnt an area in excess of 1,000 square kilometers.
South Australia On the 18th, a dust devil generated along a sea-breeze front dislodged about 20 tiles from a house roof in the Adelaide
suburb of Para Hills.
Victoria On the 31st, severe wind gusts were recorded by Mt Hotham AWS (139 km/hr), Falls Creek AWS (121 km/hr), Kilmore
Gap AWS (102 km/hr). Wind damage to trees and power lines was reported in the Northeast at Myrtleford and Bright. Tasmania On the 11th strong winds blew some trees over and some minor glass damage in the north of the State. On the 14th strong
winds were experienced across the State, falling trees caused power cuts in various areas. South Australia Gale force winds and heavy rain, which started in the early hours of the 31st and continued through to late afternoon, caused
widespread wind damage and localised flooding across metropolitan Adelaide and much of eastern South Australia. The
highest recorded wind gust was 140 km/h at the very exposed Sellicks Hill site (Mt Lofty Ranges). There were numerous
recordings of 60-70 km/h average wind speeds and gusts of 90-100 km/h across the Adelaide metropolitan area, the Mt
Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula, Riverland and Lower Southeast. Much of the wind damage resulted from
uprooted trees and broken tree limbs falling across roads and power lines and onto houses. Many areas lost power; some for
up to 48 hours. One woman was injured near Templers (Mid North) when a tree fell onto and crushed her car. The State
Emergency Service received a record 1300 calls for assistance. The combination of wind and rain lead to the loss of
hundreds of recently shorn sheep and lambs in the Mid North, Mt Lofty Ranges and Southeast.
Queensland Severe thunderstorms damaged two churches, unroofed several houses, uprooted large Cotton trees and Pepperinas and
overturned a caravan in Clermont on the 14th. During the 28th localised crop damage was reported in the Clifton - Warwick
area. New South Wales On the 2nd at Dorrigo (Mid North Coast) 49.6 mm of rainfall in 25 minutes was reported. On the 27th in Sydney a
thunderstorm caused tree damage in several western suburbs. On the 30th at Leeton (Riverina) there were wind gusts to 93
km/hr, two chimneys were blown down, a steel roof was blown off a church and a tree was blown onto a car. Australian Capital Territory Thunderstorms on the 31st resulted in local damage across the region due to associated wind gusts. In particular, houses
were damaged at Bungendore (Southern Tablelands) with wind gusts to 100 km/hr. Roofs were blown off buildings,
caravans pushed over, trees blown down and trees were uprooted outside Queanbeyan. There was also some minor damage
to houses in western parts of the ACT and some trees were uprooted. Victoria On the 3rd, hail to 2cm was reported at Blairgowrie. South Australia On the 10th, wind and heavy rain associated with a severe thunderstorm caused substantial damage at Mt Dare Station in the
far north of the state. Severe winds unroofed part of the main homestead and another building, uprooted trees and bent a
windmill. 17 mm of rain fell in five to ten minutes. On the 30th, thunderstorms aligned along an intense cold front affected
many locations in the pastoral districts. At Oodnadatta aerodrome, a wind gust to 137 km/h was recorded. On a nearby
property, winds over 100 km/h uprooted trees and unroofed sheds. Two sections of a large tank under construction at the
Olympic Dam mine were blown over. The tank sections were 8 metres high, 16 metres in length and weighed almost 20
tonnes. Large hail occurred at several locations, the largest being up to 6 cm in diameter at Roxby Downs Station. Northern Territory On the 22nd 134.0mm of rain fell in about 1 hour during a thunderstorm at the Territory Wildlife Park, Berry Springs.
Lowest Daily Maximum Temperature for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Lowest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Cape Moreton 17.3 20 17.8 1981 41
Nambour 18.4 20 18.5 1969 32
Highest Daily Minimum Temperature for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Baralaba 23.1 19 22.7 1987 31
Northern Territory
Curtin Springs 26.5 28 25.8 1967 33
Highest Daily Maximum Temperature for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
øC øC
Northern Territory
Katherine 40.5 28 40.1 1989 40
Highest Mean Minimum Temperature for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
øC øC
Western Australia
Geraldton 14.0 13.4 1976 56
Highest Mean Maximum Temperature for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
øC øC
Western Australia
Carnarvon 28.5 28.4 1982 52
South Australia On the 31st, heavy rain caused localised flooding in the Mid North, metropolitan Adelaide, the Mt Lofty Ranges and Lower
Southeast. Falls of 80-120 mm broke a number of daily rainfall records. Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for Any Month
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Date Record
mm mm
South Australia
Parafield 83.0 31 82.8 29-3-47 69
Freeling 68.6 31 62.5 06-2-73 35
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Havelock 59.0 6 47.4 1980 42
Murgon 80.8 8 76.2 1953 89
Thangool Airport 80.0 17 56.1 1955 69
South Australia
Auburn 94.0 31 68.6 1894 133
Watervale 95.6 31 87.6 1894 117
Snowtown 83.0 31 43.2 1980 117
Ardrossan 75.2 31 48.3 1942 118
Port Vincent 76.0 31 45.2 1980 101
Kadina 79.0 31 49.3 1980 122
Adelaide Aero 53.0 31 37.8 1980 43
North Adelaide 78.2 31 57.2 1908 115
Salisbury 74.4 31 50.6 1980 128
Pooraka 75.0 31 48.0 1980 122
Seaton 72.8 31 48.4 1980 86
Happy Valley 60.2 31 43.4 1974 129
Kapunda 69.0 31 42.2 1973 137
Riverton 69.2 31 42.4 1973 122
Tarlee 64.4 31 45.8 1995 117
Langhorne Ck 68.0 31 45.6 1974 119
Lowest Monthly Rainfall on Record for October Previous Years of
Station Actual Lowest Year Record
mm mm
New South Wales
Cabramurra 29.4 46.0 1991 42
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
South Australia
Whyalla Aero 61.4 58.8 1980 53
Port Vincent 84.0 82.6 1905,13 101
Western Australia
Upper Liveringa 54.2 43.8 1996 86
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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