19°S 142°E Saxby River – Queensland by Degrees

IN THE DEGREE SQUARE Climate: The closest representative weather station is at Croydon, which is 92 km to the north-north-east of the degree confluence, and has an elevation of 116 m. The station has been recording data since 1889. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean max (ºC) 35.5 34.6 34.4 34.0 31.7 29.2 29.2 31.1 34.3 36.9 38.0 37.3 33.8 Mean min (ºC) 24.2 23.9 23.3 21.0 17.9 14.7 14.0 15.7 19.2 22.4 24.4 24.6 20.4 Mean rain (mm) 220.0 178.8 114.7 23.5 8.0 8.7 4.0 2.7 5.3 13.7 44.4 114.4 740.4 The highest temperature recorded was 43.9°C in November 1965, and the lowest was 2.6°C in July 1983. The greatest rainfall recorded in a year was 1 445.1 mm in 1974, and the least was 225.4 mm in 1952. These and other climate statistics for Croydon can be found at: Australian Bureau of Meteorology, http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_029012_All.shtml. Extremes of Nature: The area is subject to the impact of tropical cyclones. The database maintained by the Bureau of Meteorology shows that 32 cyclones have passed within 200 km of the confluence since 1906, four of which passed within 50 km (an unnamed TC in 1918, TC Dora in 1964, TC Paul in 1980, and TC Larry in 2006). These and distant cyclones bring with them potentially destructive winds and intense rainfall. Cyclone information for this area and all of Australia can be found at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website, http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/silo/cyclones.cgi. Cyclone tracks within 200 km of point 1906 to 2006 (Bureau of Meteorology web site) Like most places in the Australian tropics, extreme heat is also a danger. Records show that the Croydon Station experiences 143 days annually with temperatures 35°C or warmer, twelve days of which can reach over 40°C. Such extreme temperatures can cause heat stroke and death if appropriate measures are not taken such as avoiding strenuous physical effort, keeping as cool as possible and drinking lots of water. Heat waves kill more people in Australia than all other natural hazards combined.

Last updated 29 September 2009. For more information email admin@rgsq.org.au Return to home