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Monday, 1 September 2003
MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - ACT METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE
August rainfall was above average in the ACT
Temperatures in the ACT in August were close to average this year, but wind
and rainfall totals were above average.
Temperature: The average daily maximum temperature in the ACT in
August was 12.9 degrees Celsius, equal to the long-term average. The mean
daily minimum of 1.2 degrees was slightly above the long-term average of
0.9 degrees. The higher daily minimum temperatures did not, however, result
in fewer frosts. Twenty frosts occurred in August, one more than the
average of 19. However, as in June and July, many frosts were only marginal.
The mean daily temperature of 7.0 degrees was only marginally above the
long-term average of 6.9 degrees.
Rainfall: August rainfall at the airport totalled 66.2 millimetres
on 12 days, a lot more than the average of 47.0 mm on 11 days. Rainfall over
the 48-hour period ending 9am 25 August was the best general rain in the
region since September last year. Rainfall totals were generally well above
average across the ACT, with higher falls recorded in the west.
The highest reading was 146.0 mm at Tidbinbilla, while the lowest was 65.4 mm
at Queanbeyan. There was one thunderstorm day (average one day), two days
of hail (average none) and no snow (average one day). There were
five days of fog for the month, which was average.
Wind: The mean daily wind run in August was 211 kilometres a day,
more than the long-term average of 207 km/day. Strong winds occurred on five days
(average three days), and winds reached gale force on two days (5 and 24 August),
two days more than the long-term average. The strongest wind gust at Canberra airport
was 93 km/h on 24 August. Some tree and minor roof damage was reported over the
region on that day. The record wind gust for the month is 113 km/h on 5 August 1959.
Other: Sunshine averaged 6.5 hours a day, less than the long-term mean
of 6.9 hr/day. Total evaporation was 77.2 mm, also less than the long-term
average of 79.2 mm. The average daily pressure was 1019.0 hectopascals,
slightly more than the long-term average of 1018.9 hPa.
Summary for Canberra airport, August 2003
Temperature
Mean maximum temperature: 12.9C (av 12.9C)
Highest maximum temperature: 16.7C (5 August)
Lowest maximum temperature: 8.1C (11 August)
Mean minimum temperature: 1.2C (av 0.9C)
Highest minimum temperature: 8.3C (13 and 14 August)
Lowest minimum temperature: minus 4.3C (2 August)
Lowest grass temperature: minus 8.8C (2 August)
Rainfall
Total monthly rainfall: 66.2 mm (av 47.0 mm)
Wind
Mean daily wind run (at 2 metres): 211 km/day (av 207 km/day)
Other
Total monthly evaporation: 77.2 mm (av 79.2 mm)
Mean daily sunshine: 6.5 hr/day (av 6.9 hr/day)
Mean daily pressure: 1020.6 hPa (av 1020.2 hPa)
Ends
Further information:
Clem Davis, Canberra Meteorological Office, tel: (02) 6249 6269, e-mail: mailto:c.davis@bom.gov.au - c.davis@bom.gov.au
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