21°S 148°E Carborough Range– Queensland by Degrees

IN THE DEGREE SQUARE Climate: The closest representative weather station to the confluence is at the Collinsville Post Office, which is approximately 52 km to the north, and has an elevation of 196 m. The station has been collecting data since 1939. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean max (ºC) 33.4 32.7 31.9 30.3 27.6 25.1 24.9 26.8 29.6 32.2 33.4 34.0 30.2 Mean min (ºC) 21.9 21.8 20.0 16.9 13.9 10.4 9.0 10.6 13.5 17.3 20.0 21.3 16.4 Mean rain (mm) 136.3 164.3 92.5 41.9 32.8 27.6 20.5 17.3 11.1 21.8 51.1 96.3 715.8 The highest temperature recorded was 44.0°C in January 1994, and the lowest was -1.1°C in both June 1961 and August 1960. The greatest rainfall recorded in a year was 1 583.6 mm in 1956, and the least was 365.9 mm in 2001. These and other climate statistics for Collinsville can be found at: Australian Bureau of Meteorology, http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_033013_All.shtml. Extremes of Nature: The area has been subject to numerous cyclones since recording began in 1906, due to its tropical location. The database maintained by the Bureau of Meteorology shows that 32 cyclones have passed within 200 km of the degree confluence, four of which have come within 50 km (an unnamed TC in 1954, TC Otto in 1977, TC Charlie in 1988, and TC Igor in 1990). These 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) Extreme heat is also sometimes a danger. Records show that the Collinsville Station experiences 37 days annually with temperatures 35°C or warmer, although very rarely does the temperature reach 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 9 October 2009. For more information email admin@rgsq.org.au Return to home