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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - NOVEMBER 1997
Significantly warmer than normal conditions
over south eastern Australia lead to the outbreak
of many serious bushfires, often as a result of
lightning strikes. Tornadoes were observed in
Queensland and Western Australia and
thunderstorms produced some damage in each
mainland state.
Victoria On the 26th, lightning strikes were the main
cause of bushfires, particularly in the central and
east of the state. Tasmania On the 22nd 60 bushfires were ablaze, no
property damage was reported but 700 hectares of
bushland was burnt. South Australia Lightning from scattered high based and almost
dry thunderstorms, started numerous fires across
southern South Australia on the 25th and 26th. Over
30 fires occurred on the Eyre Peninsula. Sheep
and fencing were burnt near Elliston and fires in
the Heggaton Conservation Park north of Cleve
and the Coffin Bay National Park were still burning
at the end of the month. Western Australia Numerous fires affected parts of the Pilbara and
Kimberley during November and an estimated one
million hectares of country was burnt.
Queensland On the 9th a tornado was sighted at Texas on the
eastern Darling Downs. Western Australia On the 12th a tornado and hail to 4 cm in diameter developed near Balgair in the south east of the state. Minor flash flooding resulted as 17 mm of rain fell in 45 minutes. On the 24th during the late afternoon, hail to 5.6 cm and averaging
2 cm occurred at Bamboo Creek in the Pilbara. Wind gusts were estimated
to have reached 111 km/hr and five small tornadoes were observed along
the gust front ahead of the storm. Local dust storms reduced the visibility
to 1000 metres.
Queensland On the 14th a deep low east of Cape Moreton
caused strong winds to unroof a house on North
Stradbroke Island. Tasmania Strong winds were experienced across the State on the 14th with some window damage and power disruptions in the north of the state. On the 19th several properties in the Hobart area suffered roof damage.
Power disruptions in the north and northwest of the state were caused
by falling trees.
South Australia The Wakefield River burst its banks near Port
Wakefield on the 1st at 11am. This occurred after
the early morning high tide and was clearly
associated with the very heavy rainfall on the 30th
and 31st of October over the catchment area.
Queensland On the 16th severe thunderstorms caused flash flooding and loss of power to many areas of North Ipswich. On the 30th houses were unroofed and trees uprooted in the Ipswich
- Gatton areas and flash flooding was reported in several Brisbane suburbs. New South Wales On the 2nd, Dorrigo (Mid North Coast) had 49.6mm of rain in 25 minutes. On the 4th, Mount David (Central Tablelands) had 46.0mm of rain in 41 minutes. On the 7th, Gillards Beach (South Coast) recorded a 93 km/hr wind gust. On the 10th, Woodford (Central Tablelands) had 26mm of rain in 20 minutes and wind gusts up to 126 km/hr. At Kogerah (Metropolitan), flash flooding was reported on King Georges road. On the 12th, Wingham (Mid North Coast) had hail 6cm in diameter, 2cm hail was reported from Comboyne, 2.2cm hail from Taree and 4cm hail from Charity Creek west of Taree. Maroota South (Metropolitan) had 7cm hail. McGraths Hill, Cattai, Maraylya, Richmond, Pitt Town, Kellyville and surrounding areas as well as Peats Ridge and Mangrove Mountain all reported hail of at least 4cm, which severely damaged roofs and cars and destroyed crops. Swansea (Hunter) 2cm hail at Mannering Park, Swansea and Caves Beach. 52mm of rain in 15 minutes at Caves Beach, with some minor damage to caravans and plants. In the Grafton area (Northern Rivers) 7cm hail at Westlawn and very strong wind gusts up to 111 km/hr were reported from the Grafton area. Eatonsville, South Grafton, Grafton and Copmanhurst were all affected with a lot of damage to trees, buildings, cars and crops, 4cm hail was a common size. Coonamble (Central West Slopes and Plains) recorded a wind gust to 93 km/hr.
On the 15th at Wyee (Hunter) had 2.5cm hail and 2cm hail at Mannering
Park and Chain Valley Bay. On the 16th 7cm hail with 159 km/hr wind
gusts in the Clarence Valley area (Northern Rivers). The cell formed
just east of Glen Innes and tracked ENE at around 46 to 56 km/hr, passing
just north of Grafton and over the top of Yamba then out to sea. Many
roofs were lifted off homes, sugar cane was flattened, powerlines and
trees were down and caravans were overturned. Numerous areas around
Grafton were affected with Junction Hill being the worst hit with at
least 100 homes damaged. In all 150 homes were damaged and sugar cane
crops were ruined. On the 26th at Sylvania (Metropolitan) wind gusts of around 100 km/hr ripped branches off trees and 6 houses were damaged. At Taren Point trees were blown down and roofs were removed. At Cessnock (Hunter) a wind gust of 111 km/hr was reported and at Dubbo (Central West Slopes) a wind gust of 93 km/hr was also reported. On the 27th, Sydney Airport (Metropolitan) had a wind gust of 98 km/hr, Ebor (Northern Tablelands) had 2cm hail, Forbes (Central West Slopes) had a wind gust of 91 km/hr and Bombala had a wind gust of 94 km/hr. On the 29th at Newcastle (Hunter), 93 km/hr wind gusts damaged homes
and brought down powerlines, the State Emergency Service were called
to more than 50 jobs. Victoria On the 10th, a severe thunderstorm developed north west of Geelong and tracked
over the Bellarine Peninsula to the Mornington Peninsula. Large hail,
severe wind gusts and heavy rainfall were reported. 38mm of rain in
20 minutes was reported at Clifton Springs and 68mm at Devils Bend on
the Mornington Peninsula. Hail, some to 3cm in diameter, blocked spouting
and drains in the Geelong area. A vineyard near Geelong was severely
damaged. A hospital at Hastings suffered water damage. Also on the 10th,
a severe thunderstorm at Longerenong, in the Mallee produced large hail
to 3cm in diameter and wind gusts to 118 km/hr. The storm destroyed
crops and farm buildings were badly damaged. On the 26th, strong to gale force winds caused damage in the Western, Northeast, North Central and Mallee districts. At Mansfield a person was killed by a falling tree. A machinery shed was destroyed at Stanhope. Dust was reported in the Northeast and North Central districts. Two horses were killed by lightning near Lake Bolac on the 27th. On the same day, severe wind gusts occurred in the Northeast, and a shed roof was blown off at Omeo. A dust storm was reported at Nhill on the 29th and Gelantipy NRE station
reported wind gusts to 80km/hr. South Australia On the 10th a long lived severe thunderstorm was tracked from near Coonalpyn to Keith to Bordertown to Wolseley in the Upper Southeast district. Severe winds uprooted many trees near Keith and large hail, 3 to 4 cm in diameter, damaged crops near Coonalpyn in a 10 km wide swath from south of Keith to Bordertown. In Bordertown, the hail dented hundreds of cars, broke windows and stripped trees. On the 13th thunderstorms affected the west and north of the state. On the West Coast, hail to 2 cm and severe wind gusts occurred at Yalata and 17 mm of rain in 10 minutes caused minor flooding in Ceduna. In the Northwest Pastoral district, severe winds lifted iron off roofs, blew over windmills and brought down trees and tree limbs at Kokatha Station, Lake Everard and Coober Pedy. In the Flinders, wind gusts to 100 km/hr brought down power lines and many trees in Port Augusta and damaged windmills in the Quorn area. At Moomba in the Northeast Pastoral district wind gusts to 106 km/hr damaged wind socks at the airport. On the 14th several large thunderstorms brought localised heavy rain and hail to the Flinders district. At Gum Creek Station, near Blinman, 89 mm of rain was recorded in less than 90 minutes, causing flash flooding.
On the afternoon of the 26th a wind gust to 96 km/hr associated with
a thunderstorm occurred at Renmark Airport. Western Australia On the 11th afternoon storms produced hail to around golf ball-size (4cm) in the Carnamah - Watheroo area, (Northern Agricultural district). The hail covered some areas like a carpet to a depth of 15 cm. Crops were damaged along a path that extended approximately seventy kilometres. Flash flooding affected several areas and 46 mm of rain was registered in one hour at Anro to the east of Watheroo. On the 28th several banana plantations near Kununurra were damaged
as local storms moved over the area. The path, of varying degrees of
destruction, was estimated to be 5 km long and 1 km wide. One plantation
owner recorded 45 mm of rain in 20 minutes. Northern Territory On the 2nd at Livingstone Rd, near Berry Springs several sq km of trees were damaged. On the 6th at Yulara wind gusts to 93 km/hr in a squall line with a dust storm. At Curtin Springs Roadhouse an estimated wind gust of 100 km/hr in a dust storm, felled several trees. On the 11th at Delamere wind gusts to 91 km/hr in a thunderstorm micro burst, caused a 200 metre wide swath of damaged trees. On the 12th at Mt Ringwood Station wind gusts to 120 km/hr in a thunderstorm, damaged trees in a swath several km wide. At Hughes Airstrip, Noonamah, trees were damaged in a 400 metre wide swath in a thunderstorm micro burst. On the 19th Jabiru had 76mm of rain in 1 hour. On the 21st at Coolalinga, flash flooding cut the Stuart highway. On the 23rd at Charles Point wind gusts to 89 km/hr in a thunderstorm squall line caused minor damage to trees in Darwin suburbs. On the 24th there were several wind gusts to 89 km/hr in Darwin rural
area in a thunderstorm squall line. On the 27th a squall line went through
Borroloola with a 100 km/hr wind gust.
Australian Capital Territory There were 7 days where the maximum
exceeded 30 øC, occurring on consecutive days
from the 23rd to 29th which is a new record.
(Previous record was 5 consecutive days in 1944). Lowest Daily Maximum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Lowest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Baralaba 22.0 19 22.5 1981 31
Lowest Daily Minimum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Lowest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Lady Elliot Is 15.0 03 16.5 1996 41
South Australia
Woomera 5.5 01 6.2 1966 49
Western Australia
Albany M.O 2.7 18 2.9 1969 33
Highest Daily Maximum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Quilpie 44.3 29 44.1 1996 41
New South Wales
Narrabri 43.0 28 42.1 1996 36
Cowra 43.1 26 41.2 1980 32
Dubbo 42.4 26 42.1 1982 41
Dunedoo 41.9 29 41.7 1968 41
Forbes 42.5 26 41.3 1982 41
Parkes 42.0 26 41.3 1982 41
Wellington 41.5 26 40.4 1982 33
Lake Cargelligo 42.8 26 42.0 1980 33
Cootamundra 41.0 26 39.7 1980,82 41
Grenfell 41.6 26 40.2 1982 33
Tumbarumba 36.6 26 35.8 1982 33
Wagga 42.8 26 41.6 1944 56
Wyalong 42.2 26 41.0 1980 33
Young 41.1 26 39.0 1980 33
Goulburn 40.1 26 38.9 1944 88
Bathurst Ag 38.4 26 37.8 1982 32
Katoomba 36.0 26 34.1 1982 41
Lithgow 37.2 26 36.7 1946 86
Thredbo 24.0 26 23.3 1977 32
Yass 38.9 26 =38.9 1982 33
Bowral 37.1 26 36.4 1982 33
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra A/P 38.9 26 38.8 1944 59
Victoria
Ouyen 44.0 25 43.3 1962 40
Bairnsdale 43.4 26 37.6 1991 55
Orbost 43.0 26 39.9 1980 40
Lakes Entrance 41.6 26 39.6 1980 32
South Australia
Nullarbor 45.0 25 44.1 1993 110
Ceduna 45.9 25 44.9 1962,93 59
Kimba 43.2 25 42.4 1993 78
Maitland 42.4 25 42.2 1993 121
Warooka 40.6 25 40.0 1982 137
Meningie 40.9 25 39.7 1982,93 134
Highest Daily Minimum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Lady Elliot Is 26.0 22 25.6 1957 41
Thargomindah 28.5 27,30 28.2 1982 41
New South Wales
Peak Hill 28.2 28 27.0 1980 108
Orange 18.2 28 17.6 1982 30
Oberon 20.6 28 16.5 1982 33
Victoria
Mildura 27.6 26 26.4 1959 51
Highest Mean Minimum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Stanthorpe 14.4 14.0 1995 60
Applethorpe 13.5 12.9 1977 30
New South Wales
Cobar 18.6 18.0 1982 36
Peak Hill 17.6 16.2 1980 108
Nyngan 18.6 17.9 1946 119
Narrabri 18.0 17.4 1980 119
Grafton 18.2 17.5 1977 32
Coffs Harbour 18.4 17.6 1995 55
Cessnock 16.0 14.8 1995 32
Williamtown 16.8 16.6 1959 56
Cowra 11.6 11.5 1982 32
Bankstown 15.9 15.5 1984 30
Sydney Airport 17.5 17.1 1984 69
Bowral 11.9 11.0 1984 37
Wyalong 14.8 14.4 1982 103
Tocumwal 12.7 =12.7 1982 101
Victoria
Lakes Entrance 12.5 12.4 1989 32
Highest Mean Maximum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
øC øC
New South Wales
Cessnock 30.3 29.5 1980 32
Peak Hill 33.0 32.7 1982 108
Nyngan 34.5 33.8 1959 119
Victoria
Point Hicks 21.5 21.3 1978 35
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Mundubbera 82.0 20 76.5 1916 87
Glenwood 62.0 20 58.7 1965 42
Wuruma Dam 89.4 20 76.0 1974 33
Dunollie 104.8 20 89.2 1959 48
Oakey Creek 104.0 03 95.0 1961 108
Texas 73.1 10 70.4 1966 117
Northern Territory
Ngukurr 102.6 28 81.8 1917 67
Belyuen 85.8 24 56.6 1968 27
Lowest Monthly Rainfall on Record for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Lowest Year Record
mm mm
Victoria
Dellicknora 5.2 7.0 1982 81
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Mount Perry 241.5 238.0 1890 112
Wuruma Dam 225.0 141.0 1978 33
Dunollie 238.2 218.2 1959 48
Northern Territory
Ngukurr 120.0 114.4 1964 67
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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