Wednesday 3rd Janary, 2007

MEDIA RELEASE - QUEENSLAND REGIONAL OFFICE

Queensland Annual Climate Summary 2006

2006 was wetter and cooler than average over northern Queensland while it was a dry and warm year for central and southeast Queensland and the southern interior according to figures released by the Bureau of Meteorology today. 

This follows an extended dry period which has affected much of southern and central Queensland over the last 5 to 10 years. Places which recorded their lowest annual rainfall total on record include Chinchilla with 174 mm (average 669 mm, previous record 303 mm in 1922, 117 years of record) and Woodlands with 199.5 mm (average 509 mm, previous record 208 mm in 1915, 101 years of record). Brisbane airport recorded its third driest year since records began in 1950. 

In the northern tropics, the monsoon brought record rainfall to parts of the tropics during January, March and April with further rain during May and unseasonal rain in early spring. Major contributions to the rainfall came from the passage of two severe Tropical Cyclones,  Larry which crossed the coast near Innisfail in March and Monica which crossed the coast south of Lockhart River in April.

Temperatures were generally cooler than average in the northern tropics, and warmer elsewhere. The highest temperature recorded in the state was 48.5 C at Birdsville Airport on 30th November (long-term record 49.5 C). This was also the highest temperature recorded nationally during 2006. The lowest temperature recorded in the state was -8.9 at Stanthorpe on 10th July (long term record -10.6 C).

During a hot spell during late November and early December, a number of places recorded new record annual maximum temperatures. These include Winton with 46.8 C (previous record 45.6 C, 49 years of record), Palmerville with 43.2 C (previous record 42.7 C, 48 years of record) and Barcaldine with 45.1 (previous 44.9 C, 45 years of record). 

For more details see the Queensland Annual Climate summary for 2006 and the Queensland Monthly  Climate Summary December 2006.

For further information, please contact Ann Farrell on (07)32398660.
After-hour enquiries should be directed to the senior forecaster on (07)32398750.

The latest temperature/rainfall maps and seasonal outlooks for Queensland are available at
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/austmaps/
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/

World Wide Web www.bom.gov.au
Weather by Fax 1800 630 100 [Free Call Directory]