Queensland in 2010 (original) (raw)

4 January 2011 - Annual Climate Summary for Queensland - Product code IDCKGC14R0

The wettest year on record

• Queensland had its wettest year on record.
• The 2nd of March was Queensland's wettest day on record, with an area average of 32mm (previously 31 mm on 21st May 1981).
• Widespread major flooding developed over the 2nd and 3rd of March on many of the rivers of southern inland Queensland with some record flood heights.
• Bellenden Ker (Top Station) has recorded 12,438.4 mm, just under the Queensland and Australian annual rainfall record of 12461 mm set in 2000.
• Total of 44 high daily rainfall records and 77 high yearly records.
• Total of 7 low daily maximum temperature records and 18 high daily minimum records..
• Lowest maximum temperatures since 1974 and highest minimum temperatures since 2006 (based on area averages for the state).
• The northern tropics were particularly warm during the July to October period, with widespread areas in the state’s north experiencing record high mean temperatures for the period.
• The 2009/10 El Niño event was declared over in early May, with a rapid transition to La Niña conditions by the end of winter.
• One of the most significant floods in the states history affected large areas at the end of December. There were numerous other major floods during the year, particularly in early March.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Summary

Annual rainfall was exceptional in 2010, despite a dry May and June, with the year being the wettest on record. Area averaged across the state, the annual rainfall was 1109.73 mm and exceeded the previous total in 1950 of 1103.77 mm. September and December were the wettest on record, as was spring, and every month from August to December ranked in the top ten. Almost every month brought many new high rainfall records and flooding was extensive throughout the year.

Widespread major flooding developed over the 2nd and 3rd of March on many of the rivers of southern inland Queensland with some record flood heights. Active monsoonal conditions and upper instability continued widespread and heavy rainfall over northern, central and eastern Queensland at years end and led to one of the most significant flooding events in Queensland's history.

The widespread rainfall and increased cloudiness kept many daytime temperatures below average and night time temperatures higher than average. This pattern is typical for a high rainfall year.

Humidity was also higher than normal, coinciding with record high sea surface temperatures in the region, resulting in the influx of very moist airmasses over the continent.

Tropical Cyclones Neville, Olga, Ului and Tasha

Tropical Cyclone Neville was initially analysed as a tropical low over northwestern Gulf of Carpentaria waters on 14th January. The tropical low remained very slow moving in the area until the 17th January when the system began to move east towards the Queensland Cape York Peninsula. The low reached the northwest waters of the Coral Sea by 19th January and was named Neville during the early hours on 21st January, but quickly weakened back to a tropical low later that morning. This was the first tropical cyclone in the Queensland area of responsibility during the 2009/10 season.

Tropical Cyclone Olga was initially analysed as a tropical low situated in the Pacific Ocean to the northeast of the Solomon Islands on 19th January. The low then moved southwest into the Coral Sea before it developed into a tropical cyclone during the early hours on 23th January. Olga then intensified further later that day into a category 2 system as it approached the Queensland east coast. Olga initially crossed the coast as a tropical low approximately 25km south of Cairns early on 25 January before it began to make the journey westwards across inland Queensland and into the Roper McArthur district of the Northern Territory. Olga then moved east over southern Gulf of Carpentaria waters and re-intensified into a tropical cyclone over the warm waters of the Gulf. Tropical Cyclone Olga made landfall about the Gulf Country coast early on 30 January as a category 1 system. The system then continued to move south across inland Queensland while also delivering widespread rain to much of the state.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ului was initially analysed as a tropical low situated in the Pacific Ocean to the north of Vanuatu on 8th March. The low then traversed across the northern islands of Vanuatu and into the far northeast Coral Sea before it developed into a tropical cyclone late in the day on the 12th March. Ului then rapidly intensified over the next couple of days into a severe tropical cyclone as it moved westwards to the south of the Solomon Islands, reaching category 5 intensity for a short period. Ului became a slow moving system as it gradually adopted a south to southwesterly track in a weakening phase. As Ului fell under the influence of an upper ridge on 18th March the system accelerated towards the Queensland east coast, and reintensified into a severe tropical cyclone. Ului made landfall as a category 3 system near Airlie Beach on the Whitsunday Coast early on 21st March and caused significant wind damage around the Central Coast and Whitsundays district.

Queensland's first cyclone of the 2010/11season, Tasha, formed early on Christmas morning near Agincourt Reef to the east of Cairns and crossed the coast about 5:30 am south of Cairns between the townships of Gordonvale and Babinda. It was a weak category one system but brought significant rain to a broad area of northern Queensland.

La Niña

The 2009/10 El Niño event was declared over in early May and a moderate to strong La Niña event developed during 2010, with the cool sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific and warm conditions in the Indian Ocean and northern Australian waters. This confluence of tropical rainfall drivers resulted in very much above average rainfall over the state. The 2010 event has contributed to Queensland and Australia's wettest spring and year on record.

Record Spring Rainfall

Area averaged across the state, Queensland received 248.2 mm of rainfall and had its wettest spring since records commenced in 1900. This was almost triple the state-averaged long term mean of 84.3 mm. Bellenden Ker Top Stn recorded 3209.6 mm and was a new highest Australian spring rainfall and the previous record was also recorded at this location with 2333.4 mm in 1981.

Very extensive flooding

Widespread major flooding developed over the 2nd and 3rd of March on many of the rivers of southern inland Queensland. Major flooding occurred in the Diamantina, Barcoo and Cooper Creek, Bulloo, Paroo, Warrego, Wallam and Mungallala Creeks, Maranoa, Balonne, Condamine, Moonie, Weir and Dawson river catchments. Some record flood heights occurred in a number of catchments, including the Balonne at St George and Surat, the Paroo at Eulo, Wallam Creek at Bollon, and the Moonie at Thallon. The Dawson River at Theodore and Moura reached its highest level since 1956, and the Warrego at Cunnamulla its highest since 1990.

Flooding was extensive throughout the year but following very extensive and heavy rainfall periods during the last few months of the year, river catchments were overwhelmed by further rainfall in December that culminated in one of the most widespread and significant floods in Queensland's history. Theodore and Condamine were fully evacuated and 22 towns and over 200,000 people were affected. 41 local government areas were disaster declared with significant disruption to mining and agricultural and other industries expected to cost many hundreds of millions of dollars.

There were numerous other floods in various parts of the state during the year and we are likely to have set a record for most flood warnings issued in a calendar year.

A comprehensive flood report will be available at:
http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld/fld\_reports/reports.shtml

Rainfall

Area averaged across the state and based on the data set since 1900, 2010 was the wettest year on record with 1109.73 mm surpassing 1103.77 mm recorded in 1950. The long term 1961 to 1990 baseline average annual rainfall is 623.34 mm. The second half of the year was especially wet, with the statewide average of 522.45 mm more than 100 mm above the previous record, set in 1950.

Almost all of the state received amounts amongst the top 10% on record (decile 10) with many areas having their highest rainfall on record through widely spread areas from the central coast to the southwest and part of the far northwest.

Rainfall ranged from more than 3 metres along the wet northeast tropics between Cairns and Ingham and around Mackay to less than 400 mm in western border areas.

The highest rainfall anomalies were along the tropical east coast between Cooktown and Yeppoon and along the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast where many locations recorded recorded more than 800 mm above the long term average, some of them more than 1200 mm above.

The wettest overall was Bellenden Ker Top Station with 12,438.4 mm, followed by Babinda Post Officewith 6893.6 mm and Daradgee with 5905.7 mm.

The driest overall was Boulia Airport with 392.7 mm, followed by Devoncourt Stationwith 411.1 mm and Roseberth Stationwith 414.7 mm, these being in southwest Queensland.

Many sites had their highest annual rainfall on record, while others had their highest rainfall for at least 20 years.

The wettest single day was at Mt Tamborine Fern Stwith 364.4 mm on 7 Feb, followed by Wilson Beach with 363.0 mm on 20 Sep.

Some sites had their highest daily rainfall on record. See a map of total rainfall. See a map of rainfall deciles.

Temperature

The warmest annual average was Coconut Island with 29.3 °C, followed by Horn Island with 28.3 °C and Weipa Aero with 28.1 °C.

The coolest annual average was Applethorpe with 15.0 °C, followed by Stanthorpe with 15.4 °C and Toowoombawith 17.2 °C.

Maximum temperature

Annual mean maximum temperatures were above the long term average in far northern areas and below average elsewhere. The southern and central interior of Queensland was well below average with anomalies of more than 1.5 °C. The area averaged mean maximum was the sixth lowest on record in the data set beginning in 1910 and this year was 29.04 °C compared to the average of 29.89 °C, the lowest since 1974.

The extensive cloudiness associated with the high rainfall had a marked effect and moderated daytime temperatures in areas that normally experience some of the state’s more oppressively hot conditions. Mean maxima graded from above 33°C over the Lower Carpentaria to lower than 24 °C over the eastern Darling Downs.

The three hottest days were recorded at Birdsville Airport over the period 23-25 January, peaking at 45.4°C on 24 January, with 45.0°C on the 23rd and 44.8°C on the 25th.

The warmest days as an annual average were at Kowanyama Airport with 33.5 °C, followed by Century Mine with 33.3 °C, and Musgrave and Normanton with 33.2 °C.

The coolest days as an annual average were at Applethorpe with 20.3 °C, followed by Stanthorpe with 20.8 °C, and Toowoomba with 21.7 °C.

The coldest day was at Charleville with 8.1 °C on 7 July, followed by Injune with 9.1 °C on the same day, and Applethorpe with 9.1 °C on 12 August. Some sites had their coldest day (lowest maximum temperature) on record while others had their highest mean daily maximum temperature on record. Some sites had their lowest mean daily maximum temperature on record. Some sites had their lowest mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years. See a map of mean maximum temperatures. See a map of maximum temperature anomalies.

Minimum temperature

Mean minimum temperatures were above average over most of the state with the highest anomalies between Cooktown and Ingham and extending west through the Atherton Tablelands. Only areas of the Western and Far South West districts were cooler than the long term mean. The Queensland area average was 17.35°C, the ninth-highest value on record and 0.78°C above the long-term average of 16.57°C.

The coldest night was at Oakey with -6.0 °C on 28 June, followed by Stanthorpe with -4.8 °C on and Applethorpe with -4.7 °C on the same night, along with Injune with -4.7 °C on 8 August.

The coolest nights as an annual average were at Applethorpe with 9.6 °C, followed by Stanthorpe with 10.0 °C, and Warwick with 11.5 °C.

The warmest nights as an annual average were at Coconut Island with 25.8 °C, followed by Horn Island with 25.5 °C, and Willis Island with 25.2 °C. The Torres Strait islands were exceptionally warm during the winter and early spring, with Horn Island setting a new Queensland record for August with 26.8°C on the 19th; Horn Island and Coconut Island broke the previous Queensland August record on 24 occasions between them.

The warmest night was at Urandangi with 33.0 °C on 27 Dec, followed by Birdsville Airport with 31.8 °C on 26 January.

Some sites had their warmest night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record. Some sites had their highest mean daily minimum temperature on record. Some sites had their highest mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years. See a map of mean minimum temperatures. See a map of minimum temperature anomalies.

Wind

The strongest wind gusts were at Hamilton Island Airport with 202 km/h on 21 March and 178 km/h on 20 March, and Proserpine Airport with 146 km/h on 21 March. These gusts were associated with Severe Tropical Cyclone Ului.

Month by month

• Januarywas wet in the north and west and dry and hot in the southeast. Flooding occurred in western areas in early January and Tropical Cyclones Neville and Olga flooded north Queensland later in the month. A new record low Queensland January minimum temperature of 7.0 °C was recorded on the 19th at both Applethorpe and Stanthorpe. Applethorpe set a new Queensland record low minimum temperature for January with 5.4°C on the 19th, while Stanthorpe (7.0°C) also broke the previous record.
• Februarywas wetter than average across the southern districts. Average maximum temperatures were cooler in the south west and nights were slightly cooler than average in western districts. Widespread flooding from TC Olga continued and further heavy rain caused more floods. A tornado was observed near Atherton on the 16th and on the same day, a funnel cloud was observed near Oakey.
• Marchwas also noted for rainfall with an exceptional rainfall event during the first week where 17.1% of Queensland had its wettest March day on record on the 1st or 2nd. This was associated with widespread flooding. There was widespread flooding in western, southern and central Queensland and some record flood heights. Severe Tropical Cyclone Ului crossed the east coast near Airlie Beach on the 21st with significant damage reported around the Central Coast and Whitsundays district.
• April. Tropical cyclone Paul affected the northwest Gulf of Carpentaria and Arnhem Land late in March and after weakening to a low, the system travelled across the southern Gulf waters and moved back over land near the Northern Territory-Queensland border on 2nd April bringing a deluge to the Gulf Country. Flooding from heavy rainfall earlier in the year continued until the 27th April in the southwest and on the northeast tropical coast the Daintree River flooded between the 4th and the 7th.
• Maywas drier than usual in many eastern parts of the state, areas of the Peninsula, and also over the southern interior. In contrast, large areas of the western half of the state received above average rainfall.
• Junewas rather quiet with below average rainfall and slightly above average minimum and maximum temperatures.
• July rainfall was above average over the west, southern interior and tropical districts. Maximum temperatures were cooler over the southwest while warmer over the tropical parts while minima were above average and quite high towards the tropical coast.
• August temperatures were above average in the northeast. A record high Queensland August daily minimum temperature of 26.8 °C was recorded at Horn Island on 19th. Coconut and Horn Islands broke the previous record high of 25.4 °C on 24 occasions between them. Rainfall was above average rainfall over most of Queensland with some flooding.
• Septemberwas the wettest on record for Queensland with 24% of the state by area having highest September rainfall on record leading to widespread flooding. The widespread cloud also contributed to the state having the second highest state-averaged September mean minimum temperature on record and the lowest state-averaged mean maximum temperature since 1993.
• Octoberwas another very wet month with 59 rainfall recording stations with 25 or more years of record having record high total October rainfall. Heavy rainfall and flooding occurred in southern and western Queensland during the first two weeks. A new record high Australian October total monthly rainfall of 1313.0 mm was recorded at Bellenden Ker Top Station. The state-averaged mean maximum temperature was the third lowest for October in 61 years of record.
• Novembercontinued the theme with the highest November state-averaged rainfall since 2001 with further flooding and a record low state-averaged November mean maximum temperature. A tornado was sighted at Richmond on the 23rd.
• December began with widespread rain areas, with some heavy falls, as a series of upper troughs moved through the state. This rainfall enhanced existing or triggered new flooding in many river systems. Severe thunderstorms affected the southeast coast mid month with reports of and large hail at many locations and a tornado at Jimboomba on the 15th. The monsoon become very active during December across northern Australia. Tropical cyclone Tasha crossed the east coast south of Cairns early on Christmas morning and the continuing rainfall on already sodden land led to one of the most extensive and significant flood events in the state's history, with the month being the state’s wettest December on record.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notes

A Annual Climate Summary is prepared to list the main features of the weather in Queensland using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally notbe updated. Later information, including data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review, usually published in the fourth week of the month.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 10 am on Tuesday 4 January 2011. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

Averages are long-term means based on observations from all available years of record, which vary widely from site to site. They are not shown for sites with less than 9 years of record, as they cannot then be calculated reliably.
The medianis sometimes more representative than themeanof long-term average rain.

The Rank indicates how rainfall this time compares with the climate record for the site, based on the decile ranking (very low rainfall is in decile 1,low in decile 2 or 3,average in decile 4 to 7, _high_in decile 8 or 9 and very high is in decile 10).
The Fraction of average shows how much rain has fallen this time as apercentageof the long-term mean.