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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - DECEMBER 1998
Tropical cyclones BILLY and THELMA affected parts of the Northern Territory and Western Australia during December. Tropical cyclone CATHY also affected areas south of Cocos Island. Significant thunderstorms occurred in all mainland states. A rapidly developing deep depression over eastern Bass Strait on the 26th and 27th resulted in storm force winds that affected Gippsland and coastal waters of the South Coast of New South Wales. On the 11th and 12th, several Tasmanian locations recorded their highest daily maximum temperature for December.
Western Australia A developing low was named tropical cyclone BILLY on the 3rd while located about 360 km to the northnorthwest of Port Hedland. The system deepened rapidly to category 2 status with a central pressure of 975 hPa and moved in a general southwesterly direction off the Pilbara coast. During the 5th the tropical cyclone began to weaken while located about 310 km to the northnortheast of Exmouth. On the 6th the remnants of tropical cyclone BILLY produced a brief episode of gales on Barrow Island prior to crossing the coast near Onslow as the direction of travel turned towards the south. Heavy rains and thunderstorms occurred in parts of the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Murchison and Goldfields as the rain-bearing depression moved across the region. Several localities reported daily rainfall totals of more than 50 mm. Notable 3-day totals on the 7th included: Glen Station (121 mm), Annean (106 mm), Cue (105 mm) in the Meekatharra area; and Leinster (98 mm) in the northern Goldfields. A developing low in the Timor Sea was named tropical cyclone THELMA on the 6th while situated approximately 350 km to the north of Darwin. The intensifying storm drifted slowly south and by the 8th had developed into a severe tropical cyclone category 5 with an estimated central pressure of 925 hPa and gusts to320 km/h. The force of the destructive winds were experienced on the Tiwi Islands (to the northnorthwest of Darwin). Darwin recorded gales and 432mm of rain in the 48 hours to 9am on the 10th. The cyclone moved southwest towards the north Kimberley coast during the 10th and passed about 50 km to the northwest of Troughton Island. Mean wind speeds of 139 km/h were recorded and a maximum gust of 174 km/h occurred before communications were lost. The cyclone began to weaken overnight and was downgraded to category 3 on the 11th. Following a more southerly course tropical cyclone THELMA crossed the Kimberley coast on the 11th about 50 km to the northeast of Kuri Bay which brought heavy rain to parts of the North Kimberley. A number of places reported daily rainfall total in excess of 100mm including: on the 11th Faraway Bay (144mm), Kalumburu (223mm) and Theda (166mm); on the 12th Wyndham (156mm) and on the 13th Ellendake (West Kimberley, 174mm). McGowan Island, to the north of Kalumburu registered 490mm of rain between the 9th and 13th. Once over land tropical cyclone THELMA weakened rapidly. The tropical low continued to move in a southwesterly direction through the West Kimberley and Pilbara during the 13th. The next morning ex-tropical cyclone THELMA crossed the Pilbara coast to the north of Wallal (about 240 km to the eastnortheast of Port Hedland). The system moved to the northwest of Pardoo (about 100 km to the eastnortheast of Port Hedland) on the 15th. Parts of the east Pilbara reported heavy rains over several days and notable 2-day totals included: Marble Bar (239mm), Warrawagine (201mm) and Newman (175mm). A slowly developing tropical low was named tropical cyclone CATHY on the 25th while located approximately 480 km to the south of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Following a westerly course the weak category 1 storm dissipated to a tropical low during the 27th when situated to the southsouthwest of Cocos.
Victoria On the 26th gales and severe gusts occurred in the central and eastern districts. Tree damage was reported at Orbost. The following places recorded severe gusts: Mt Hotham 130 km/h, Falls Creek 106 km/h, Haines Saddle 106 km/h and Sale 90 km/h. On the 27th gales and severe gusts occurred in Gippsland. Tree and some building damage was reported in the Rosedale to Orbost area. Severe gusts were experienced at Sale 152 km/h and Bairnsdale 107 km/h. Storm force winds occurred in coastal waters and 6 yachtsman were killed in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. South Australia On the 10th a dust devil caused some roof damage to six houses at Blakeview, a northern Adelaide suburb. Tasmania On the 6th wind caused damage to powerlines causing blackouts in various areas of the state.
Victoria On the 2nd a fire started in the Linton area (Western district) which caused the death of 5 volunteer fire fighters. On the 27th a lightning strike started a bushfire in the Annuello area (Mallee district) and burnt over 7000 hectares of Mallee scrub. Western Australia On the 2nd and 23rd large fires near Condingup (about 65 km to the east of Esperance) burnt approximately 23,500 hectares of land. Pastures and crops, 650 km of fencing, 3 sheds and 2 vacant houses were also damaged. Livestock losses included an estimated 8000 sheep and 50 cattle.
Queensland There were many reports of hail from severe thunderstorms in southeast Queensland on the 5th including golf ball size hail that damaged cars and roofs at Flinders Peak. On the 16th hail from severe thunderstorms caused extensive damage to vehicles and skylights in inner Brisbane to Redcliffe suburbs. Cricket ball size hail was reported in the Gatton area on the 19th. New South Wales 1st At Ellangowan (Northern Rivers) 4cm hail was reported and 30mm rain fell in 20 minutes. 7th At South Grafton, 50mm of rain fell in 40 minutes. 8th Black Mountain (Northern Tablelands) 4cm hail closed the New England Highway. Tamworth/Dungowan/Loomberah (North West Slopes) reported 3.5cm hail and 70mm of rain in 20 minutes which produced some damage and flash flooding in a number of creeks in the Tamworth area. 13th Springwood (Central tablelands) recorded 89 km/h wind gusts and 50mm of rain in 60 minutes which caused some local flash flooding. At Wagga Wagga 106 km/h wind gusts and 68mm of rain fell in 30 minutes causing flash flooding. A light plane was blown 100 metres after breaking its mooring, trees were uprooted and powerlines were brought down. 14th Thunderstorms occurred at: Springwood (Central Tablelands) recorded 40mm of rain in 25 minutes and 2cm hail. 15th Bugaldie(North West Plains) reported 3cm hail and 27mm of rain fell in 30 minutes. At Parkes (Central West Slopes) 29mm fell in 25 minutes and 111 km/h gusts. Burren Junction (North West Plains) recorded 34mmof rain in 30 minutes. 18th Lake Ainsworth/Evans Head/Ballina (Northern Rivers) reported hail ranging from 5 to 8cm, wind gusts to 122km/h and flash flooding from numerous locations in the Mid-North coast and Northorn Rivers districts from Yamba to Evand Head and Ballina to Byron Bay. Most damage occurred in Ballina and Yamba. At least 6 homes were unroofed and many others damaged. Other property damage was also reported. Murwillumbah recorded 111 km/h gusts unroofed 3 houses and 100 others sustained roof damage. A light aircraft was destroyed and 3 others were damaged. 26th At Wagga Wagga and Canberra 89 km/h gusts were experienced at both places which brought down trees. Walgett experienced 98 km/h gusts and 100 km/h winds at Moree. Victoria On the 15th a severe thunderstorm at Beechworth produced 2cm hail. A person was killed and several others injured when struck by lightning at Cape Woolamai on Phillip Island on the 24th. On the 25th severe storms occurred in the Melbourne metropolitan area. Hail 3cm in diameter was reported at Bundoora. Severe gusts 90 to 98 km/h were recorded at Moorabbin, Fawkner Beacon and Frankston. South Australia On the 19th severe thunderstorms north of a line from Tarcoola to Port Augusta and extending across the interiors of the State produced wind gusts and heavy downpours. Wind gusts in excess of 95 km/h were reported from Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta. Marla recorded 21mm of rain, Tarcoola recorded 18mm and Mt Dare recorded 17mm of rainfall. There were no reports of flash flooding. A frontal system which crossed the settled areas during the afternoon of the 25th generated a line of thunderstorms over the eastern border districts between Renmark and Bordertown. Lightning from these thunderstorms caused eight bushfires in remote localities. Western Australia Large hail 4cm in diameter and destructive winds occurred about 20km to the eastnortheast of Dongara (northern agricultural area) on the 13th. The strong winds uprooted a number of trees some measuring 1 metre in diameter which were snapped off. Crops and buildings also sustained wind damage. During the evening of the 14th and morning of the 15th a number of thunderstorms passed over metropolitan Perth and adjacent areas. Hail damaged market gardens to the north of the city in the Wanneroo area, and strong winds blew fences and trees down in the Bull Creek/Brentwood area (southern suburbs). Perth Airport registered wind gusts to 80 km/h. A significant amount of lightning accompanied the storms. A lightning strike killed a jockey at Perth early on the 15th. On the 31st a dust storm followed by a thunderstorm occurred at Esperance. Visibility was reduced to 1 km and a wind gust of 89 km/h was recorded. Some minor damage to property was reported. Northern Territory On the 2nd a gust of 87 km/h was recorded in a thunderstorm at Tindal. There were no reports of damage. On the 16th a thunderstorm produced a 93 km/h gust at Yulara. No damage was reported.
Queensland Heavy rainfall caused moderate flooding in the Warrego River on the 9th. Coastal streams between Cooktown and Mackay received heavy rainfall. The development of a deep monsoon low ands flooding rain in the Gulf of Carpentaria.on the 30th led to the commencement of river rises.
South Australia Hot weather is suspected to be the cause of the deaths of four elderly people in Adelaide when the maximum temperature reached 39.8oC on the 10th. Lowest Daily Maximum Temperature for December
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Lowest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Burketown 24.8 30 25.5 1964 40
Boulia 22.1 31 22.8 1969 42
Windora 21.8 31 25.1 1975 32
Lowest Daily Minimum Temperature for December
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Lowest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Palmerville 15.5 1 18.0 1979/82 35
Lady Ell.Is. 16.9 4 17.8 1971 42
Highest Daily Minimum Temperature for December
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
øC øC
Queensland
Ayr DPI 27.0 20 26.7 1984 34
Tasmania
Erriba 17.0 12 16.0 1980 36
St Helens 21.2 12 19.0 1990 36
Flinders Is A/P
22.4 12 19.7 1994 35
Highest Daily Maximum Temperature for December
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
øC øC
Tasmania
Burnie 31.2 12 29.0 1972 40
Eddystone Pt 35.0 12 30.3 1983 38
Hobart A/P 39.2 11 38.0 1994 40
Grove 37.2 11 36.6 1965 41
Bushy Park 38.6 11 37.5 1983 60
Flinders Is A/P
36.5 12 34.5 1983 35
St Helens 37.8 11 37.8 1960 37
Highest Monthly Rainfall on Record for December
Previous Years of
Station Actual Highest Year Record
mm mm
Western Australia
Annean 162.2 70.0 1983 107
Balgo Hills 230.2 172.5 1953 51
Cue 139.6 95.7 1932 105
Marble Bar 316.7 243.1 1930 104
Meekatharra 91.4 54.2 1988 54
Nyang 105.4 99.3 1904 68
Sandstone 132.8 72.8 1996 95
Northern Territory
Howard Springs 1022.4 741.4 1974 28
Parap 589.2 588.4 1996 26
Highest Daily Rainfall on Record for December
Previous Years of
Station Actual Date Highest Year Record
mm mm
Queensland
Wallangarra 121.4 21 103.2 1984 112
Western Australia
Annean 65.0 7 40.6 1983 50
Kalumburu 222.8 11 150.0 1975 49
Meekatharra 55.6 7 40.2 1988 45
Warrawagine 190.4 15 91.4 1957 59
Wyndham 154.8 12 86.6 1984 31
Northern Territory
Belyuen 263.8 10 149.0 1981 26
Channel Is. 236.0 9 231.4 1998 25
Howard Springs 425.6 10 272.0 1998 28
Parap 262.7 9 189.0 1993 26
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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