Australia’s third-wettest year on record. Wettest on record for Qld.
If you found it hard to get in much observing time last year on the East Coast,
then it may be little consolation that in its Annual Australian Climate Statement for
2010 issued today, the Bureau of Meteorology announced that the 2010 La Niña
event was Australia’s third-wettest year on record.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BOM
Data collected by the Bureau of Meteorology show that the Australian mean rainfall total for 2010 was 690 mm, well above the long-term average of 465 mm. As a result, 2010 was Australia’s wettest year since 2000 and the third-wettest year on record (records commence in 1900). The only month to record a national monthly total below the long term average during 2010 was June. This means that 11 months of the year experienced above average rainfall, an occurrence observed only once previously, in 1973.
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Originally Posted by BOM
Based on preliminary numbers, 2010 was the wettest year on record for Queensland.
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Originally Posted by BOM
In contrast to the rest of the continent, the southwest of Western Australia experienced a very dry year, continuing the long drying trend which extends back to the late 1960s. For the southwest region as a whole, the 2010 rainfall total was a record low 392 mm, well below the previous low of 439 mm in 1940. Rainfall in the cropping season (April to October) in southwest Western Australia also set a record with just 310 mm falling; the previous low was 348 mm in 1914.
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Originally Posted by BOM
Big wet results in coolest year since 2001 but nonetheless the warmest decade on record
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Originally Posted by BOM
The past year has been very warm globally, though it remains too early to determine if the year will be the warmest or second warmest on record.
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Originally Posted by BOM
Please note that heavy rainfall over the Christmas-New Year period, with severe flooding in Queensland, has affected the availability of rainfall data for northeast Australia. As these data are processed in the next few months the final rainfall figures are expected to change.
It's hard to believe the rest of Australia has too much water when we're desperately parched over here in Perth. It has rained today but its a drop in the bucket compared to what we need.
Yes, it was a terrible year for viewing, but I suppose we have to put up with an occasional dodgy year. This year will be much better.
We had the same amount of rainfall as usual (2000 mls), but soooo much more cloud, right through all year. The rest of eastern Aus has had a huge amount of rain though!!
Suge a huge country Jacquie, with you guys still very dry and hot, such extremes of weather.
This year will definitely be better Adam.
Is it tempting fate then to say that this year has to be better......?
Hi Adam,
The good news for observers is that predictions by the Bureau
"indicate the (La Niña) event will gradually weaken, approaching neutral values by mid 2011."
According to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) report issued yesterday -
Quote:
Originally Posted by BOM
A major La Niña event continues to affect the Pacific Basin. Long-range forecast models surveyed by the Bureau suggest that the La Niña is likely to persist into the southern hemisphere autumn.
All climate indicators of ENSO remain beyond La Niña thresholds.
...
The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) value for December of +27 is the highest December SOI value on record, as well as being the highest value for any month since November 1973.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BOM
The influence of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) on Australian rainfall is limited during the months from December through to April.
The national outlook for the January to March period favours wetter conditions in the eastern half of NSW, southeastern Queensland and western WA.
The pattern of seasonal rainfall odds across Australia is a result of cool conditions in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean associated with the current La Niña.
The chances of receiving above median rainfall during the January to March period are between 60 and 70% across the eastern half of NSW, southeastern Queensland and western WA. Such odds mean that for every ten years with similar ocean patterns to those currently observed, about six to seven years would be expected to be wetter than average over these areas, while about three to four years would be expected to be drier during this January to March period.
In contrast, the outlook favours drier conditions in southwestern Queensland and northeastern SA with odds of exceeding the median rainfall below 40%, indicating an increased risk of drier conditions in these areas. However, this outlook should be used with caution in this area due to the low confidence levels.
Looking into the Super Computer crystal ball ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by BOM
All leading international climate models surveyed by the Bureau predict surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean will remain at levels typical of a La Niña event throughout the first quarter of 2011. The majority of models surveyed indicate the event will gradually weaken, approaching neutral values by mid 2011.
Recent forecasts from the POAMA model, run daily at the Bureau of Meteorology, predict La Niña conditions will persist during the first quarter of 2011, but will gradually weaken with time as the central Pacific warms.
... right on girl.
that is the first I have seen the poem in it's entirety
