|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - NOVEMBER 1998
During November, thunderstorms affected all mainland states. Tropical cyclone ALISON passed near to Cocos (Keeling) Island, producing significant wind and rainfall. Several locations, mainly in Queensland reported their highest daily or monthly rainfall on record for November.
Western Australia A cyclone watch commenced on the 6th for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands area as a tropical low located approximately 400 kilometres to the east-northeast of the atoll and moved slowly south. The intensifying low was named Tropical cyclone ALISON on the 8th estimated to be 190 kilometres east of Cocos. During the day the storm began to follow a southwesterly path and on the 9th passed well to the south of the islands. Tropical cyclone ALISON developed into a category 2 storm with the lowest central pressure estimated to have been 980 hPa on the 9th. A brief episode of gales developed at Cocos and the maximum wind gust was 89 km/h on the same morning. The islands received significant rainfall, 122mm in the 72 hours to 9am on the 9th with 84mm falling during the final 24 hour interval. The final warning for tropical cyclone ALISON was issued on the 10th when the storm was estimated to be 340 kilometres to the southwest of Cocos and headed towards the central Indian Ocean region.
Victoria On the 12th damaging east to southeast wind occurred in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Trees were uprooted and branches snapped off. As a result damage was reported to houses and other buildings. Gusts were estimated to be in excess of 90 km/h. Tasmania Strong winds in the north of the State on the 13th disrupted power supplies when power poles were blown over in Westbury and Devonport.
Queensland Severe thunderstorms on the 18th damaged 6 roofs in Toowoomba, felled trees and disrupted power in western Brisbane suburbs. Brisbane Airport recorded a maximum gust to 91 km/h. Extensive power outages were reported in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and crop losses around the Darling Downs and New South Wales/Queensland border areas. On the 24th severe storms damaged buildings on the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland, Darling Downs and the southeast. Golf ball sized hail was reported in Ipswich and Stanthorpe was hard hit by hail. The following day a very large thunderstorm caused damage to several properties southwest of Tambo, with one having a shearing shed blown off its stumps whilst shearing was in progress. New South Wales Many thunderstorms with wind gusts and hail affected numerous parts of New South Wales: 7th Wind gusts were reported at Albury 93 km/h, Canberra 91 km/h and at Vaucluse (Metropolitan) 102 km/h and 2cm hail. 8th At Coffs Harbour 91 km/h gusts were experienced. 13th Hail was reported at Rutherford (Hunter) 3.5cm, Morpeth (Hunter) 2cm and Menai (Metropolitan) 4cm. 17th Hail 2cm in diameter was reported at Delungra (Northwest Slopes)and 3cm at Bingara (Northwest Slopes). 23rd At Woolomin (Northwest Slopes) 2cm hail and 100 km/h wind gusts were experienced. Comboyne, Gloucester and Collombatti (Mid-North Coast) experienced hail and strong wind. Comboyne experienced 3cm hail and 91 km/h gusts, Gloucester 2cm hail and 91 km/h gusts and at Collombatti 91 km/h gusts were recorded. 30th At Tabulam (Northern Tablelands) 6cm hail occurred and damage to water tank. Victoria On the 7th severe thunderstorms were reported in the Central, Northern Country and Northeast districts. Severe damaging winds, heavy rain and small hail occurred. Damage to trees and buildings was reported and a boat was turned over on the Hume Weir. The highest measured gusts were 91 km/h at Shepparton, 93 km/h at Wonthaggi and 98 km/h at Albury. South Australia An isolated thunderstorm at Woomera on the 5th produced wind gusts to 105 km/h. No damage was reported. A fast moving front brought thunderstorms to the southern settled areas during the evening of the 6th and morning of the 7th. Lightning strikes in the early morning of the 7th caused electrical damage to four homes at Coromandel Valley, a southern suburb of Adelaide. A line of thunderstorms which moved across the Pastoral District on the 23rd produced wind gusts to 104 km/h. Some damage was reported at Coober Pedy. A dust devil swept through parts of Newton, a suburb northeast of Adelaide on the afternoon of the 30th. Five properties received some damage, mainly confined to roofs and gardens. Western Australia During the afternoon of the 28th thunderstorms produced severe winds and a tornado in the central wheat belt district near Goomalling (120 kilometres to the northeast of Perth). Several buildings were damaged and a swathe was cut through wheat crops along a trail that was estimated to be 100 metres wide and 2 kilometres long. Heavy rains and hail that ranged from pea size to 15mm in diameter also accompanied the passage of the storms. Another tornado may also have occurred in the Quairading area (140 kilometres east of Perth) the same day. Northern Territory A thunderstorm on the afternoon of the 7th produced golf ball sized hail and a tornado at Arlunga in the Alice Springs region. The tornado lifted a metal trailer 4 feet in the air and damaged a roof and mulga trees in the area. A funnel cloud was observed at Kulgera on the 8th. A thunderstorm produced pea-sized hail and strong winds at Humpty Doo, 30 km southeast of Darwin on the afternoon of the 20th. No damage was reported.
Queensland Minor flooding occurred in the Diamantina between the 17th and 19th and in the upper Dawson toward the end of the month.
Lowest Mean Maximum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Lowest Year Record
C C
New South Wales
Quirindi 24.8 24.9 1916 91
Bankstown 22.6 23.0 1981 30
Nowra 20.5 20.7 1986 42
Highest Mean Minimum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
C C
Western Australia
Cocos Island 25.6 25.4 1984 47
Lowest Mean Minimum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Lowest Year Record
C C
Tasmania
Flinders Is.A/P 8.4 8.6 1963 34
Lowest Daily Maximum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Lowest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Burketown 25.2 11 26.6 1989 40
Highest Daily Maximum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
C C
Northern Territory
Elcho Island 38.1 10 38.1 1972 32
Highest Daily Minimum Temperature for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
C C
Queensland
Palmerville 29.5 26 29.0 1995 34
Western Australia
Cocos Island 26.7 18 26.5 1987 47
South Australia On the 11th a combination of a slow moving low pressure system and an in-feed of moist air from the northwest produced some extreme 24 hour rainfall events across northern Eyre Peninsula and the Flinders Ranges. Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Bamaga 213.5 158.5 1970 37
Strathmore 217.0 209.6 1973 78
Westmoreland Stn 198.0 166.3 1972 34
Lassie Creek Stn 153.3 141.4 1970 31
Havilah Stn 208.5 178.3 1950 45
Broadleigh Downs 273.8 142.9 1989 37
Doongara 163.6 138.7 1993 31
Western Australia
Balgo Hills 110.6 92.1 1941 51
Eyre 74.4 71.1 1909 69
Warmun 250.6 231.1 1907 90
Northern Territory
Nutwoood Downs 268.2 214.4 1941 64
Lowest Monthly Rainfall on Record for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Lowest Year Record
mm
Northern Territory
Auvergne 6.0 12.4 1976 60
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for November
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Lockhart R.A/P 131.0 13 78.4 1986 43
Bamaga 106.0 12 52.1 1973 30
Westmoreland Stn 198.0 12 69.9 1977 34
Homestead PO 91.0 13 67.6 1943 106
Kareeya Power Stn 71.0 24 63.2 1970/76 41
Lassie Creek Stn 82.0 19 74.2 1991 31
Mount Charlton 119.0 2 113.0 1991 45
Havilah Stn 62.0 1 57.0 1995 45
Broadleigh Downs 105.0 13 86.4 1966 37
Taroom PO 109.0 25 101.6 1892 129
The Glebe 84.0 25 48.0 1979 74
Moray Downs 74.0 13 68.3 1917 85
Glenlyon Stn 39.0 11 38.6 1973 35
Moura PO 110.0 26 92.7 1972 58
Lindfield 78.6 14 68.0 1974 76
South Australia
Nonning 89.2 11 38.6 1946 96
Iron Knob 59.2 11 43.2 1946 88
Wilpena Chalet 53.8 11 39.2 1992 37
Mt Ive 66.0 11 31.8 1991 118
Western Australia
Carnegie 22.8 18 21.0 1985 32
Eyre 43.0 3 31.6 1988 45
Menzies 60.0 29 28.7 1958 80
Northern Territory
Ucharonidge 130.0 11 57.0 1985 26
ADDENDUM TO OCTOBER SUMMARY Severe late season frosts were experienced on the 28th of October which impacted
heavily on New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia with some farmers losing most
of their crops. In Victoria canola and cereal crops were damaged leaving a damage bill
estimated at tens of millions of dollars. The unseasonal frost affected the Riverina and parts
of the Western and Wimmera districts. In South Australia the south east area was mainly affected.
The frost hit a number of vineyards in the Wrattonbully,
Coonawarra and Padthaway areas. The impact of the frosts were extensive throughout the Frances area.
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
|
