Weather in Australia 2022

[Mark]

The large town of Maryborough in Queensland (population approx. 22,000) is mopping up today after the Mary River inundated large parts of the town.


A 14-year-old girl is still missing after being swept away in a raging torrent, while the entire CBD was evacuated after floodwaters breached the town's temporary levee.





Image: Cars in suburban Maryborough. Source: @Jennybeck63 via Instagram.


The weather is mostly fine in the area as we write this summary on Monday, with only a moderate chance of showers in the next 48 hours and the prospect of a mostly fine week ahead, but the amount of rain that caused this event is truly staggering.



A whopping 674 mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9 am Saturday was recorded at the weather station at the rural locality of Marodian, about 40 km southwest of Maryborough in the catchment of the Mary River.

This was the highest 24-hour rainfall tally anywhere in Australia since 2018, when 678 mm was recorded at the tiny town of Halifax, which lies just north of Townsville and is about 1200 km northwest of Maryborough along the Qld coastline.

So while this weekend's Maryborough region rainfall was exceptional by any standard, it is all the more remarkable considering that such enormous amounts fell in a town which is technically just south of the Tropic of Capricorn (you'd usually expect the heaviest daily rainfall in Australia to be recorded in the far tropical north).

The town of Maryborough itself received "only" 83.6 mm to 9 am Saturday, with falls of around 25 mm the day before and after. While those three days brought more than Maryborough's December average of 128 mm within three days, it was the much heavier rainfall in the catchment that caused the Mary River to flood.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/maryborough-still-awash-after-heaviest-aussie-rain-day-in-three-years/535892

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[Mark]

After losing its title of Tropical Cyclone, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tiffany is still providing plenty of rain to the Kimberley region and central Australia. 


 


24-hour rainfall totals to 9am Saturday saw many observation sites still in the 50-100mm ranges, and a couple of 100+mm in varying places. Some big falls from 9am Saturday to 4:30am Sunday included Koolan Island – 119mm, Oombagooma – 77mm, Leopold Downs – 74mm and Lombadina Airstrip with 70mm. 


 


Thick cloud extends from the NT to the coast of SA. So not only is Ex-TC Tiffany still dishing out the rain, but plenty of inland locations are getting a well needed break from the heat as well. Many towns lucky enough to be close to Ex-TC Tiffany, should see comfortable temperatures in the low-30s, and even in the 20s for some places.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/its-raining-its-pouring-extropical-cyclone-tiffany-has-yet-to-start-snoring-/535945

[Mark]

A remote coastal town in Western Australia, Onslow, registered a temperature of 50.7C, matching its hottest ever recorded temperature. The record was first set in 1960.

While several parts of the globe are battling extremely cold conditions, Australia is recording high temperatures.

Not just Onslow, but other Western Australian sites including Roebourne airport and Mardie also hit 50.5C.

Several other towns in the region are also likely to set temperature records for January or any time of the year. Iron-ore export hub Karratha reached 48.4C as it exceeded its previous high of 48.2C.
https://www.sott.net/article/463403-Australian-town-records-hottest-day-on-record-with-temperatures-over-50C

[Mark]

Australia's farmers are expected to post a record-breaking $78 billion agricultural production value in 2021-22, thanks in part to the first back-to-back La Nina events in a decade.


Despite flooding rain delaying harvests and destroying some crops in parts of eastern Australia last month, the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is predicting Australia's gross value of agricultural production to reach $78 billion in 2021/22.


This historic production value has been caused by a combination of factors:



Exceptional growing conditions over a large area of Australia

A poor season being experienced by key overseas competitors

Prices at multi-year highs for many agricultural commodities


This year's La Niña, the second to be declared in as many years, was one of the reasons Australia experienced such good growing conditions in recent months.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/record-78bn-year-for-agricultural-production-in-australia/535653

[Mark]

A severe thunderstorm warning has been cancelled for Victoria as the state begins to clean up after the devastating wild weather.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued an update at 5am this morning to say the severe thunderstorms were no longer occurring in the state.
"The immediate threat of severe thunderstorms has passed, but the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings will be issued if necessary," the BoM said.
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[Mark]

Severe thunderstorm warnings are in place for Gympie, Kin Kin and Tin Can Bay, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting more intense rainfall that may lead to life threatening flash flooding is on its way.
Multiple emergency alerts are also in place in Logan, Ipswich, Cooby Creek, Beachmere, and Noosa.
The Cooby #&@% in Cooby Creek has started to spill with properties in the area set to be hit with floodwaters.
https://business.facebook.com/latest/posts/scheduled_posts?asset_id=613771778684114&nav_ref=pages_classic_isolated_section_ppt_published_posts_diode

[Mark]

Brisbane residents have been told to expect consistent rainfall over the coming three days, with conditions set to remain humid - with above 30C temperatures forecast all weekend - and damp.
The BoM predicts a 70 per cent chance of rain today in Brisbane, with between four to 15mm set to fall over the city.
The BoM said these are expected to hit this afternoon.
"The issue is our catchments are so full, so saturated it is really not going to take much rain at all for them to come up once again," Today reporter Jess Millward explained.
"Today is really going to test the patience of people. That is because the Mud Army is standing by, 10,000 people. Now they won't be deployed until tomorrow because of the severe weather forecast. Schools have been closed.
"Today is going to be a very trying day for south east Queensland."
Similar conditions are set for Saturday and Sunday, before the heavy rainfall is forecast to trail off early and mid next week.
Why is it raining so much?
A deepening low-pressure system is moving through the coast, bringing a burst of dangerous weather to parts of eastern NSW as it moves towards the coast.
Rain radar
16:15 EDTTerrainLocations16:15 EDT
Weather forecast
https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-queensland-flood-news-explainer-when-is-it-going-to-stop-raining-why-weather-forecast/7013f18e-78f6-47b0-ab13-04f60bad1425

[Mark]

A low pressure system should develop and will affect east coast NSW from tomorrow.  This system will bring heavy rain and thunderstorms, affecting already flooded areas. There is a moderate-to-high chance for thunderstorms and rainfall each day from Sunday 6th to Tuesday 8th, concentrated over eastern NSW. 

Tuesday 8th will be the day to watch for widespread rainfall, with the possibility of accumulated precipitation reaching more than 200mm over 24 hours, most likely in the Sydney area. This will exacerbate the flooding problems caused by previous rainfall last week.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/heavy-rain-returning-to-sydney-and-surrounds-in-coming-days-/536483

[Mark]

Flash flooding in the outback city of Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, on 15 March 2022 has prompted flood rescues and caused one fatality.

While many areas of northern and eastern parts of the state are recovering from the widespread flooding that began in late February, heavy rain caused flash flooding in the far west of New South Wales (NSW) on 15 March 2022.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said "26mm of rain fell in 30 minutes at Broken Hill with thunderstorms earlier this afternoon. Heavy rainfall is likely with slow moving storms over western NSW. A severe thunderstorm warning is in place."

A total of 72.4 mm of rain fell in 24 hours at Broken Hill Airport. Local media said numerous locals have reported more than double that amount.
https://www.sott.net/article/465520-More-deadly-floods-hit-New-South-Wales-Australia-An-inch-of-rain-in-just-30-minutes

[Mark]

The New South Wales coastline has copped a lashing this weekend with monstrous waves swallowing beaches and wiping out footpaths.

Wild footage taken at Avoca Beach, north of Sydney, on Saturday demonstrated their power as the huge tide thrashed the sand, wiping out two dog walkers.

Two people can be seen walking on the beach before being knocked down and swept up in the swell.



The force of the tide continued to whip across parklands and paths that lined North Avoca beach, with people seen running for safety.

Onlookers compared it to a "mini tsunami", while others said it's the "worst we've seen".

Meanwhile, Wanda beach in Sydney's South vanished under the tide on Saturday as some brave locals attempted to utilise the small stretch of beach that remained.

Photos shared on a Sutherland Shire Facebook group show the waves smashing the coastline, with almost the entire stretch of sand underwater.

Bondi and Clovelly beaches were flooded over as waves battered the walls of the beachside Coogee Surf Club.

Boats were ripped from their moorings inside the harbour at Manly Wharf, with some vessels washing up on nearby beaches.

A sailing vessel was spotted capsized at Bronte beach with emergency services launching a search for potentially missing crew.

But the search was cancelled after the boat's owner came forward to say it had been ripped from its dock at Gordons Bay due to the heavy seas.

Hazardous surf set to lash NSW coast again

A hazardous surf warning remains in place for the NSW coast with the Bureau of Meteorology saying it's likely to stick around until Monday.

But conditions are continuing to ease across Sydney after huge gusts of wind swept the city, including one of 74 km/h on Friday.

The weather system is currently tracking south with the BOM issuing a severe weather warning for parts of the Snowy Mountains and South Coast on Sunday.

The South Coast is expected to experience heavy rain with a risk of flash-flooding in the area, but conditions are expected to ease by Monday.
https://www.sott.net/article/466274-Unusually-large-waves-flood-beach-parks-along-New-South-Wales-coast

[Mark]

Residents living in Queensland's Southern Downs have been issued several emergency warnings as a number of towns south of Toowoomba are lashed by severe flash flooding.
Up to 90 millimetres of rain fell overnight in areas along the Condamine River, with water levels tipped to peak at around lunchtime today.
Regions set to cop the brunt of the flooding include the Southern Downs towns of Allora, Killarney and Condamine.
https://www.9news.com.au/world/weather-update-flooding-forces-major-road-closures-in-queensland-while-warnings-also-remain-in-victoria/2e34a215-8e55-46b2-b74a-0493c073b4d2

[Mark]

pics here>>https://www.9news.com.au/national/weather-australia-2022-wild-weather-extremes-in-pictures-bushfires-floods-snow-storms/84f1601e-2854-4dc2-a3a9-ddf04a8b6452

[Mark]

Australia could be in for a wet winter, with new model data suggesting that a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) could emerge in the next few months.


Australia’s weather is influenced by several broad-scale climate drivers. These include:



El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) – the Pacific Ocean fluctuates between La Niña, El Niño and neutral conditions, which influences rain and temperature in northern and eastern Australia, typically across multiple seasons.

Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) – the Indian Ocean constantly swings between negative, neutral, and positive phases of the IOD, which affects rainfall and temperature across large areas of Australia in winter and spring.

Southern Annular Mode (SAM) – this index measures the north-south displacement of a belt of westerly winds flowing between Australia and Antarctica. The phase of SAM typically affects rain, wind and snow in southern and eastern Australia.


Over the last four-to-five months, Australia has been under the influence of La Niña and a predominantly positive SAM. These two climate drivers have caused above-average rain over parts of Australia.


However, La Niña events typically break down around autumn and while this current La Niña is persisting longer than usual, it is expected to end in May or June. Meanwhile, the SAM is expected to be neutral or weakly positive in the coming weeks and have little influence on Australia’s weather.


What lies ahead?

As La Niña and SAM gradually lose their influence on Australia’s weather, the focus in the coming months will shift to what is happening in the Indian Ocean.


New model data released this week suggests that the IOD could enter a negative phase in the next two-to-three months and possibly persist through winter into spring.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/wet-winter-outlook-as-potential-negative-iod-looms-for-australia-/537056

[Mark]

Tasmania's south-east has been hit with a record-breaking storm that hammered towns with hail, resulted in dozens of flood warnings, and left thousands more without power.
And there is a warning more extreme weather is on the way.
Police are investigating whether heavy rain was behind a car accident that left a pedestrian, 81, dead.https://www.9news.com.au/national/tasmania-weather-update-news-record-breaking-storm-flood-warnings-thousands-without-power/d13141b4-ad4b-4d63-bef3-973c46f63c22

[Mark]

REMARKABLE COLD GRIPS TASMANIA
This week, an intense polar chill has gripped Australia’s island state of Tasmania.

A remarkable low of -9.9C (14.2F) was registered in the town of Liawenee (1,057 m) Tuesday morning, May 24 — a reading that is just 0.6C above the station’s monthly record and the third lowest temperature ever recorded in Tasmania in May. For reference, Australia’s national May record remains the -13.4C (7.9F) set at Charlotte Pass, NSW in 2008 (solar minimum of cycle 23).





The Aussie mainland, although holding mild of late, is on course for its own sharp cool down before the end of the month, with the cold set to intensify further as the calendar flips to June:



GFS 2m Temperature Anomalies (C) June 1 [tropicaltidbits.com].

Latest GFS runs are also picking up on substantial accumulations of early-season snow across the higher elevations of Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales:

https://electroverse.net/remarkable-cold-grips-tasmania-lows-fall-across-wyoming-and-nebraska-skiing-on-memorial-day/

[Mark]

MAY 31, 2022 CAP ALLON
Much of Australia is currently in the grips of a sharp polar cool down.

Cold and windy weather is forecast to persist across much of Australia, particularly the south-east, after a polar front and deep low-pressure system delivered wild weather to the nation Monday night.

Severe weather warnings for damaging winds remain in place for parts of NSW, Victoria, Queensland, SA and the ACT as of Tuesday, while the mercury for many is predicted to plunge into record-breaking territory for the time of year.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is advising that a “very cold and windy air mass will remain over the region for the next 24-48 hours”, with the coldest of the air sweeping south-eastern regions Tuesday afternoon/evening.
https://electroverse.net/australias-polar-blast-best-start-to-a-ski-season-in-more-than-50-years/

[Mark]

Brisbane, which shivered through its coldest start to winter in more than 100 years on Thursday, will also brace the harsh climate with a minimum of 6C and 7C for the next two days.

The six degrees for Brisbane and seven degrees for Sydney on Friday is the lowest drop for those two cities in 33 years.

Perth has slightly warmer weather for the long weekend but showers are expected to drench the city.

The Top End will be noticeably cooler for the next five days after record-breaking hot temperatures in June.

The chilly weather is affecting the south-east heavily due a high in the Great Australian Bight that continues to funnel icy wind north through the country.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10900411/Aussies-SHIVER-long-weekend-icy-winds-force-temperatures-plummet.html

[Mark]

Five of the seven capital cities are shivering through below average winter temperatures.
The most notable, according to Weatherzone, include Melbourne where maximum temperatures are predicted to only hit 11 to 13C all week, making for the "city's coldest week this early in the season since 1982."
Sydney is also feeling the effects of winter's chill.
"Sydney's daily maximums will range from 15 to 17C all week, with minimums reached 6 to 7C. This would be Sydney's coldest run of days this early in the season since 1989," Weatherzone said, adding records in Queensland will also be smashed.
"Brisbane has not seen a week this cold, this early in the season, since 1904."
Brisbane will only reach about 17 to 19C from Tuesday to Sunday, with minimums plunging to 6 to 8C.
Marine wind warnings are currently in effect for all states and territories - save the Australian Capital Territory.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/weather-update-australia-what-the-rest-of-winter-has-in-store-for-australia/105f6298-9767-4882-ad3a-58810568cd76

[Mark]

While large areas of southern Australia are enduring an abnormally cold start to winter, parts of northern Australia have just copped a burst of record-challenging June heat.


A lingering hot air mass and easterly winds over the NT’s Top End and the Kimberley in WA has caused temperatures to soar into the mid-to-high thirties every day during the first week of June. While these temperatures are well below the all-time national heat record of 50.7ºC, they are exceptionally high for this time of year.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/australias-2nd-highest-june-temperature-on-record/617595

[Mark]

Stretching all the way from the equator to Melbourne, a long cloudband is bringing patchy rain, a sign of things to come this winter and spring.


A broad trough connected to a cold front in the south has been building in the Indian Ocean over the last few days. After yesterday's crossing of southwestern parts of WA, the cloud is now stretching all the way from a tropical disturbance near the equator just south of Sri Lanka, all the way to the northwest near Port Hedland, across Uluru, to Victoria, and later on Tasmania.





Image: Satellite showing the cloudband stretching from the equator to Victoria


Cloudbands like this are fairly common during a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event, something that is likely to develop over the next few weeks. The IOD is fairly similar to the more commonly known El Niño and La Niña events that occur in the Pacific Ocean, with La Niña being the most similar to a negative IOD for Australia.


During a negative IOD, warmer waters stay near the northwest shelf of Australia. This moisture can fuel vast northwest cloudbands, like the one today, which can cause widespread rain, thunderstorms and flooding, especially west of the Great Dividing Range. The map below shows how negative IOD events typically affect Australia’s winter-spring rainfall.
https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/7000km-long-cloudband-stretches-across-the-country-/640933