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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - NOVEMBER 1999
Several localities in northern Queensland reported record monthly rainfalls for November. Below average temperatures were widespread in New South Wales and Queensland. Several records for lowest mean maximum and minimum temperatures occurred. Thunderstorms occurred in all states in November. Queensland On the 7th severe thunderstorms triggered many hail reports up to golf ball size in northern Brisbane suburbs and up to Caboolture. On the 8th a small tornado at Mother Mountain (10 km southeast of Gympie) was observed. One house was destroyed and one lost its roof and two others were damaged. On the 11th a shed suffered wind damage at Brassall (Ipswich area) during a thunderstorm. On the 16th a funnel cloud was observed at Roma. Power lines were down and disruptions occurred in Brisbane, Gympie, Millmerran, Pittsworth and Cecil Plains. Hail storms destroyed 6,000 hectares of cotton worth about $18M on the Darling Downs. At Cecil Plains $2M worth of crops were destroyed due to golf ball size hail. On the 22nd golf ball sized hail was reported in the Lockyer Valley (between Brisbane and Toowoomba) and winds were estimated to be 150 km/h. New South Wales Strong winds were reported from Lethero Station (Lower Western) between Wentworth and Pooncarie. Wind gusts estimated at 110km/h caused damage to trees and property. On the 6th at Dubbo (Central West Plains), heavy rain produced flash flooding in many areas of the city. At Scone (Hunter) severe wind gusts were experienced. On the 15th at Tuggerabakh (Mid-North Coast) severe wind gusts were experienced. At South Kentucky (Northern Tablelands) 2.8cm hail occurred. There were no reports of damage. At Taree (Mid-North Coast) severe wind gusts were experienced, five houses were damaged and trees were blown down. On the 16th at Singleton (Hunter) 2.8cm hail was reported. Victoria At Winton in the Northeast, storms produced very heavy rainfall and severe lightning on the 21st. South Australia On the 7th thunderstorms caused power cuts across the state, no significant damage was reported. On the 29th a thunderstorm with severe rainfall was reported from Melton, on Yorke Peninsula. On the 30th 34mm of rain fell in 30-40 minutes at Cordillo Downs, in the Far North. At Colomba (Mid North) 71mm of rain fell in 40 minutes during a thunderstorm which also produced severe wind gusts. Western Australia Thunderstorms developed about the Southwest Land Division between the 1st and the 4th. There were instances of significant hail damage to crops, particularly in northern agricultural districts in the Coorow - Kalannie area. To the northeast of Kalannie hail in excess of 4cm in diameter was reported on the 1st and hail reaching 2cm in diameter was reported at Toodyay on the 4th. Isolated heavy rainfall also accompanied the storms. Notable daily totals for the 24 hours to 9am on the 3rd were reported in northern agricultural districts at Maya (56mm) and Latham (33mm). Sites in the adjacent northern Goldfields and Murchison also reported heavy rainfall, including Cashmere Downs (49mm) and Windsor (29mm). On the 16th slow moving thunderstorms triggered by the interaction of a surface trough and a middle level disturbance produced localised heavy falls at several localities in central agricultural areas and the Goldfields. During the 24 hours to 9am on the 16th notable falls of more than 35mm were recorded at Beverley (63.6mm), Coolgardie (44mm) and Bullfinch (40 mm). Hail and rain were noted in Beverley as the storms passed across the area. Minor flooding occurred in the township where the highest falls were recorded. Rottnest Island also featured with a significant 52.2mm of rain for that day as the result of localised storms drifting from north to south over the island. Further inland a severe thunderstorm passed over Warburton (southwest of Giles). The mean wind speed reached 85 km/h and wind gusts to 122 km/h were recorded. A heavy downpour was associated with the storm and 13mm of rain fell in 4 minutes. On the 27th isolated severe storms developed in the Murchison. Mount Magnet recorded wind gusts to 94 km/h and 10.6mm of rain fell in 10 minutes. Minor flooding occurred in the town and several houses and businesses were affected by the encroaching waters. The strong winds blew down numerous fences, lifted roof sheeting from several buildings and pushed trees onto overhead power lines. Golf ball-sized hail broke through the roof of the local hotel and parts of the ceiling subsequently collapsed. Mount Magnet aerodrome recorded 13mm of rain during the event. Northern Territory On the 4th strong winds during a thunderstorm caused damage on the coast about 110 km southwest of Darwin. There was also some damage to house roofs in the area, possibly due to a landfalling waterspout. On the 8th an isolated thunderstorm produced 95mm of rain in 45 minutes at Borroloola in the Gulf Country. On the same day a slow-moving thunderstorm produced 90mm of rain in one hour at Woolner, about 65km east of Darwin. On the 14th severe winds associated with a thunderstorm interrupted ore loading at Bing Bong Port in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria driving spray over the wharf and causing minor tree damage in the port area. A long lived (8 hours) multicell thunderstorm moved across the Alice Springs region during the evening of the 16th, producing hail and severe wind gusts. Large trees were felled by the storms at Docker River. On the 19th an isolated early morning thunderstorm produced a gust of 96 km/h at Tennant Creek, but no damage was reported. Queensland On the 10th wind caused damage to 3 roofs and a car was moved at Stretten. At Wishart (Brisbane suburbs) a large dust devil with a seabreeze front was reported. On the 23rd violent winds at Woolangabba caused a building to shake, and trees were downed in Redcliffe (Brisbane areas). Tasmania Five people died in a boating mishap off Bruny Island on the 13th. Near galeforce winds of 50 km/h were reported at Cape Bruny Lighthouse at 3pm reaching galeforce at 65 km/h by 6pm. Nearby Maatsuyker Island reported gales 68 km/h at 9am and 93 km/h at noon reaching storm force 93 km/h at 3pm. Wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h were reported at: Derwent Estuary (southeast Hobart) on the 1st, 13th and 26th; atop Mount Wellington (near Hobart) on the 13th, 14th and 26th; at Cape Grim BAPS on the 13th and 14th; at Keoghs Pimple in the Hartz Mountains, south of Hobart on the 13th; at Maatsuyker Island on the 13th, 14th and 15th. No significant damage was reported. South Australia On the 1st a dust devil caused minor wind damage to some property in the western suburbs of Adelaide. Queensland The passage of surface and upper troughs brought showers, storms and rain areas to the interior between the 5th and 8th triggering minor to moderate flooding in the Darling Downs, Granite Belt, Maranoa, Warrego, Central West and Channel Country with the last warning finalised on the 17th. The passage of a trough and storm activity between the 19th and 22nd renewed rises in the Maranoa, Warrego, Central West and Channel Country. A developing upper low caused heavy falls in the west from the 26th and the flooding continued into December.
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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