Record-low temperatures in tropical Australia and record-high rainfall

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Over the last couple of days here in Australia it feels like global cooling is well on its way. In Queensland, which is a tropical to subtropical state, many places have recorded record low maximums. Some records span 120 years or more. A place called Mt Isa, which is in the tropical interior and normally has maximums of 26°C in June, yesterday recorded a maximum of just 7.7°C. Don't forget, this is in the tropics!!! At a latitude of 16°S, some areas only reached 15°C today when they are normally around 32°C. Crocodiles are reportedly having a hard time digesting food because of the cold. (And for those who prefer Fahrenheit, don't forget that an interval of 1°C is equal to an interval of 1.8°F.)

Below, I have included a collection of reports relating to this unprecedented event:

Record cold snap continues across Queensland
Matt Pearce, Thursday June 21, 2007 - 15:01 EST


Many parts of Queensland experienced their coldest day on record yesterday, and the cold snap is continuing today, according to weatherzone.com.au.

The most significant records were broken across inland Queensland, where Boulia had a top of just nine degrees, its coldest day in 119 years of records. Richmond, in northwestern Queensland, reached just 13 degrees, its coldest June day in 115 years of records.

“There has been a substantial cloud band lying across most of Queensland over the last few days. This has prevented the sun from warming the ground at all, and resulted in the days just getting colder and colder,�� weatherzone.com.au meteorologist Matt Pearce said.

“It is quite amazing to see such a large number of long-term low temperature records being broken over such a wide area.��

Showing just how remarkable the cold outbreak has been, the lowest maximum temperature ever recorded in the Australian tropics occurred yesterday, when The Monument, near Mount Isa, reached just 7.7 degrees.

The lowest maximum temperature for Queensland in June was also recorded yesterday, when Applethorpe struggled to just 4.9 degrees.

Brisbane had a top of just 13 degrees, nine below average for this time of year. A number of Brisbane suburbs had their coldest days on record.

“Today, we have seen the thickest cloud move to the coast, so we are seeing another very cold day in cities like Mackay and Townsville, where it has been raining all day,�� Pearce said.


- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2007

Vast tropical record breaking rain band
Rebecca Lodin, Wednesday June 20, 2007 - 18:00 EST


A massive cloud band has caused an unprecedented event, with record rain and cool days across much of the NT.

The rain is due to a broad upper trough over the area, which is drawing in tropical moisture and dumping it over the tropics.

The Victoria River district had the heaviest rain, with widespread falls of 30-40mm recorded to 9am Wednesday.

Places such as Victoria River Downs had 56mm, their wettest June day in 121 years. Waterloo received 32mm, their wettest June day in 91 years.

Oenpelli had a 71.4mm downpour on Monday - their wettest June day in 94 years, smashing through the last record of 41mm.

This system has also keeping temperatures low for the last few days. Monthly average temperatures in the Alice Springs district are up to 5 degrees below average, lining this up to be the coldest June on record for many towns.


- Weatherzone

Top End shivers in unusual cold
Anne Barker, Thursday June 21, 2007 - 08:48 EST


It may be hard to imagine, but Northern Territory residents are stocking up on jumpers and blankets as they shiver through the coldest June on record.

The wild weather further south has brought unprecedented cold and steady rain to much of the Top End in what is meant to be the sunny, dry season.

With temperatures under 23 degrees Celsius, locals used to wearing thongs and shorts all year round have been wearing fleece-lined jackets and polo neck jumpers.

Some Darwin residents do not even own a jumper or jacket but the weather is making tourists from Britain feel right at home.

"I love it, it reminds me of home, because it's always cold back home," one said.

Tennant Creek and Katherine have had their coldest June days on record, but Darwin baker Rob Hartwick is glowing, because hot pie sales have gone through the roof.

"We've been busy today because of the cold weather, flat out selling pies," he said.

"People are cold so they want hot coffees and hot food."

But while pies and jumpers are in big demand, Darwin's outdoor cinema, The Deckchair, has struggled to break even.

Manager Jett Street says only hardy cinema buffs are venturing out in the cold, with blankets and doonahs.

"Even last night they braved the rain, but a lot of people set up in the kiosk area and watched it from under the shade of the roof," she said.

"One of my friends pointed out that it was probably an ideal night to come to the cinema because it's like a winter night anywhere else in Australia and they just don't get to experience it."

People are not the only ones who are suffering, with the chilly conditions also playing havoc with the digestive system of salt water crocodiles.

Wildlife expert Graham Webb says this means they cannot even eat.

"It's tough for crocodiles when it gets cold, because they can't digest food," he said.

"We operate at 36 or 37 degrees and we need that for everything to work. Crocodiles have got to get out in the sun to warm up, so their digestion and everything works.

"So if it gets really cold for a long period, they've got a real problem."

- ABC

© ABC 2007

More rain falls over north-west Qld
Thursday June 21, 2007 - 09:49 EST


Another 19 millimetres of rain has fallen across Mount Isa, in north-west Queensland, in the past 24 hours, bringing the record total for the month to more than 100mm.

Other north-west towns to receive good rainfall yesterday include Julia Creek with 18mm, Richmond with 16mm and Hughenden with 13mm.

Steady rain is forecast to continue across the region until the weekend.

The unseasonal rain has led to the cancellation of weekend events such as the Gregory campdraft, the Hughenden races and rodeo events at the Mount Isa Show.

The Mount Isa weather bureau's Daniel Hayes says the temperature has also plummeted to its lowest level in 42 years.

"We've equalled our record here at Mount Isa, the Mount Isa mine site recorded a 9.4 degrees on the second of January in 1965 and we equalled that yesterday with a 9.4 here at the airport," he said.

- ABC

© ABC 2007