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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - OCTOBER 1998
Thunderstorms and strong to gale force wind produced damage in all states except Western Australia at different times of the month. Some Queensland stations reported record daily or monthly rainfall totals.
Western Australia Tropical cyclone ZELIA commenced as a tropical low to the west of Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The storm moved along a general southsoutheasterly path and developed into a tropical cyclone about 400km to the southwest of the atoll. Tropical cyclone ZELIA was named on the 8th, the lowest pressure was estimated to be 985 hPa. Rapid weakening of the system occurred during the next day. ZELIA was downgraded to a tropical low on the 9th while located approximately 500km to the south of Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Victoria From the 5th to the 7th gale force winds and severe gusts occurred in the Western, Central, Eastern and North Eastern districts. Maximum recorded gusts were Mt Hotham 115 km/h, Fawkner Beacon 113 km/h, Falls Creek 104 km/h, Haines Saddle 98 km/h, Dunns Hill and Cape Otway 95 km/h, Mortlake 91 km/h and Sale 90 km/h. On the 17th and 18th gale force winds and severe gusts occurred in Southern and Mountain districts. A carriage on the steam train "Puffing Billy" was damaged by a falling tree in the Emerald district. Some of the highest maximum gusts were Bairnsdale 122 km/h, Mt Hotham 119 km/h, Mt Nowa Nowa and Dunns Hill 111 km/h, Mt Moornappa 107 km/h and Fawkner Beacon 100 km/h. Large hail occurred in the metropolitan area and South Gippsland. The largest hail reported was 6cm in diameter at Merricks on the Mornington Peninsula. Tasmania Gale force winds caused damage to the north of the state on the night of the 6th. A hanger was blown onto a small plane at Smithton airport. Other reports of damage included boats adrift, trees fallen on power lines and roof damage. Gales on the 24th brought down some power lines bringing blackouts to some areas. South Australia Strong northerly winds on the 1st caused damage to houses and a number of trees at Whyalla. Strong northerly winds ahead of a complex low on the 17th caused minor damage across much of the state. A reported tornado at Marrabel on the 17th to the north of Adelaide caused an 8km long path of damage. High voltage power poles were twisted and bent to ground level, 50 large river red gums were flattened and two large cereal field bins were tossed 250 metres. Northern Territory At Noonamah (40 km south of Darwin) 102 km/h gusts from a thunderstorm downburst was reported on the 12th. At Borroloola on the 15th an 87 km/h squall line occurred. No damage was reported. On the 25th 96 km/h gusts from a dry microburst were recorded at Alice Springs Airport. There was no report of damage.
Queensland On the 13th severe thunderstorms caused extensive damage to Warwick with 12 houses and showground buildings unroofed, trees uprooted and severe damage to the caravan park. The strong winds and hail also caused significant crop damage. Later the same day storms wrought havoc in the Brisbane area with widespread roof damage and trees uprooted. Inner city rail services were brought to a standstill for several hours. Brisbane Airport recorded its 5th highest wind gust with 119 km/h and hail to golf ball size was reported in the Brisbane area and at Gympie. Severe thunderstorms demolished one house and caused roof damage to another fifteen in Julia Creek on the 26th. New South Wales On the 13th at Nymboida (Northern Rivers) 95 km/h wind gusts brought down tree branches. On the 25th at Cobar (Central West Plains) 55mm of rain fell in 2 hours. At Lake Macqaurie (Hunter) on the 26th, 2cm hail was reported. Mungo Brush (Hunter) reported 5cm hail in a narrow 1km swathe on the 27th. Victoria On the 23rd severe storms occurred in the Central and Western districts and 2cm hail was reported at Gellibrand (near Colac) and Anglesea. A funnel cloud was observed at Queenscliff. A gust to 111 km/h was reported at Point Lonsdale and Aireys Inlet recorded a 100 km/h gust. South Australia On the 2nd isolated thunderstorms were reported in the Central districts. Thunderstorm cells which developed during the late afternoon moved across Adelaide's northern suburbs and hills and Kangaroo Island. A lightning strike caused a power failure across parts of the Mt Lofty Ranges. Thunderstorms on the evening of the 5th were associated with a cool change. The thunderstorms were preceded by slight to moderate continuous rain across the settled areas for most of the afternoon. Some soft hail was reported with the storms. A lightning strike caused considerable damage to a house at Glandore, a southern Adelaide suburb. The storm also caused flash flooding across Adelaide, swamping roads and placing some homes at risk. A line of thunderstorms crossed the Central districts during the evening of the 14th. Soft hail was reported from the Adelaide area. Isolated thunderstorms on the 17th in the Upper and Lower North started scrub and grass fires in the area. One fire burnt 100 hectares of inaccessible scrub. Northern Territory On the 29th a severe thunderstorm occurred at Coniston Station (230 km NW of Alice Springs) where trees were brought down. Also on the same day a severe thunderstorm at Batchelor (80km south of Darwin) brought down many large trees.
South Australia A fire at Verdun in the Mt Lofty Ranges on the 1st burnt 3 hectares of dense scrub. The fire was caused by a rubbish burn-off and took 1 hour to control. A bush fire which started as the result of a campfire spread across the River Murray near Renmark on the 1st. Both fires were fanned by strong northerly winds. Lightning from thunderstorms on the 14th caused a minor grass fire at Mannum on the River Murray. The fire was re-ignited by strong winds on the 17th. Grass fires in the Upper and Lower North and the Flinders Ranges were started by lightning on the 17th.
Highest Mean Maximum Temperature for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Georgetown PO 38.0 37.8 1987/89 92
Low Isles L.H. 31.7 31.6 1986/88 32
Highest Mean Minimum Temperature for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Coen A/P 23.2 22.8 1970 31
Palmerville 22.3 21.7 1986 88
Burketown PO 24.4 23.4 1988 89
Croydon Township 24.8 24.8 1989 78
Julia Creek PO 22.0 21.6 1988 34
Kowanyama A/P 24.7 23.2 1988 32
Normanton PO 25.9 24.7 1988 91
Georgetown PO 22.9 22.0 1949 92
Richmond PO 21.6 20.8 1935 91
Cairns Aero 22.8 22.1 1986 57
Cardwell Eden St 22.8 21.6 1986 92
Ingham 21.9 20.4 1985/86 31
Ayr DPI Res. Stn 21.4 20.6 1987 41
Te Kowai Exp Stn 18.7 18.7 1987 82
Urandangie 20.6 20.5 1988 61
Western Australia
Cocos Island 25.3 25.2 1966 47
Lowest Mean Minimum Temperature for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Lowest Year Record
C C
Tasmania
Maatsuyker Island 11.5 11.9 1936 60
Highest Daily Maximum Temperature for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Low Isles LH 34.0 14 33.7 1987 32
Double Island Pt LH 31.2 20 30.9 1968 39
South Australia
Lameroo 39.2 17 38.3 1957 41
Nuriootpa 36.3 17 36.0 1987 42
Whyalla 42.1 17 40.7 1987 43
Woomera 41.9 17 41.2 1965 49
Western Australia
Albany 33.6 31 33.1 1981 34
Cocos Island 31.0 25 30.6 1957 47
Highest Daily Minimum Temperature for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Normanton PO 29.4 28 28.6 1973 42
Low Isles L.H. 27.4 30 26.7 1971 32
Ayr DPI Res.Stn 25.0 10 24.9 1987 34
Western Australia
Cocos Island 27.4 28 26.6 1996 47
Western Australia Heavy rains were registered on the main island of Cocos (Keeling) Islands as a developing low approached from the northwest during the start of the month. On the 6th Cocos Island airport registered 130.4mm of rain and a 5 day total of 186.6mm to the 9th. The October average monthly rainfall for the airport is 80.6mm. Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Hughenden PO 178.4 144.5 1930 115
Gregory Springs Stn 183.4 142.4 1954 72
Mount Garnet PO 203.8 103.4 1985 98
Ingham 199.8 182.3 1973 31
Paynes Lagoon Stn 118.4 57.6 1985 30
Comet PO 171.4 137.0 1920 104
Dingo PO 209.2 183.7 1949 103
Lowest Monthly Rainfall on Record for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Lowest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Peachester Woodford Rd 0.2 3.3 1948 83
Pomona PO 0.0 1.8 1968 80
Romani 6.4 14.0 1981 32
Highvale 7.8 12.7 1968 36
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for October
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Gregory Springs Stn 83.6 23 77.5 1930 72
Greenvale Township 39.0 13 38.0 1986 44
Mount Garnet PO 110.0 14 57.4 1942 98
Surat PO 113.0 26 82.3 1954 118
Error of Ommission Woomera achieved an extreme maximum temperature for September. The new extreme was 37.9°C on the 30th of September. The previous record occurred on the 24th of September 1990 when the temperature reached 37.0°C. Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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