The following is provided for the information of subscribers (and as an
addition to the annual summary provided in the Annual Bird Report):
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/act/summary.shtml
ACT Monthly Summary in May 2010
A wet end to Autumn
* Wettest May since 1995; 10th wettest on record
* Above average mean temperatures
* 15th warmest may on record for maximum temperatures
Rainfall
Returning to the wetter conditions experienced in February and March,
Canberra recorded 79.4mm of rainfall in May 2010, almost twice the May
average of 44.1mm. This is the wettest May recorded in Canberra since 1995
(137.4mm), and the 10th wettest May on record. Rainfall was highest at Mt
Ginini, which recorded 99mm throughout the month.
The rain fell over 9 days, which is similar to the historical average of
8.3 days. However, four of these exceeded 10mm, well above the average of
1.4 heavy rain days, with a maximum fall of 20.8mm on the 30th, associated
with an East Coast Low off the NSW coast between the 30th and 31st. Of the
two remaining high-rain days, one was associated with the passage of a cold
front on the 5th, which brought 19.6mm to Canberra Airport and 28.0mm to
the Australian Botanical Gardens, the highest rainfall recorded anywhere in
Canberra during the month. The final and smallest high rain day was 11.2mm
on the 26th, associated with the passage of a low pressure system.
Temperature
The mean daily temperature in Canberra during May 2010 was 9.9°C, which
was 0.5°C above the historical average for May. This was associated with
well above average maximum temperatures, particularly during the first half
of the month, but closer to average minimum temperatures.
Maximum temperatures at Canberra Airport were 16.6°C during the month,
1.1°C above the historical average of 15.5°C and the 15th warmest on
record. These were due to prevailing high pressure systems and northerly
winds during the first half of the month, with temperatures between the 1st
and 16th averaging 17.9°C, significantly above average for May. Cool
changes in the last two weeks of the month associated with rain-bearing
systems decreased the average temperature; however, it remained well above
average for May. The warmest daily maximum recorded anywhere in Canberra
during the month was 22.5°C at Canberra Airport on the 4th.
In comparison, minimum temperatures averaged 3.1°C during May, only
slightly below the historical average of 3.2°C. These were associated with
very low overnight temperatures during the middle of the month, with five
consecutive days below 0°C between the 12th and 16th, the coldest
consecutive May period since 2004. Temperatures reached -3.7°C on the 13th,
the lowest May air temperature at Canberra Airport since May 29 2006
(-3.9°C). Nights were slightly warmer at Tidbinbilla, averaging 3.6°C, with
the lowest temperature recorded anywhere in Canberra -4.8°C at Mt Ginini
AWS on the 12th.
Wind
Canberra was dominated by northerly to westerly winds during May, forming
71% of afternoon winds, compared to a historical frequency of 60% from
these directions. The highest winds during the month were recorded on the
30th, associated with the passage of an East Coat Low, with maximum wind
gusts up to 87 km/h at Mount Ginini AWS (elev 1760m) and 65km/h at
Tuggeranong in the city.
Other phenomena
Canberra averaged 6.6 sunshine hours during May, slightly above the
average of 6.0 hours. One thunderstorm was observed at Canberra Airport,
equal to the historical average. Frost was observed on 3 days in the middle
of the month, associated with very low minimum temperatures, with fog
recorded on 6 days.
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