Wet on way as spring looms
TOWNSVILLE’S winter has been drier and warmer than average, but forecasters are predicting rain to arrive next month.
Weatherzone forecaster Graeme Brittain said since the start of June there has been just 5.2mm of rainfall in Townsville, well below the winter average of 50mm.
Last year Townsville’s winter saw a higher- than- average 110mm of rainfall, but in 2013 the city recorded just 5.4mm from June to August.
“It’s turned out to be a drier than average winter,” Mr Brittain said.
“It’s likely that rain deficiency will be replenished through the course of spring.
“In September, there’s a good chance of it being wetter than average, a moderate chance.”
So far this year Townsville has seen 662mm of rain, which is considerably short of the 908mm running average from January 1 to August 25.
By August 25 last year, Townsville had recorded 867mm of rain.
Mr Brittain said maximum temperatures were on average for Townsville in June, but were higher than average for the rest of winter.
“That’s mainly due to high pressure systems, clearer skies have led to more heating during the day,” he said.
In July, the maximum average temperature was 26.6C, 1.5C higher than the longterm average.
So far this month the average maximum has been 27.5C, also 1.5C higher than the long- term.
The hottest day so far this month was on August 8, when the temperature rose to 30.4C, but yesterday came close with a maximum of 30.2C.
The minimums in July and August were also higher than average.
July saw average minimum temperatures of 16.8C, 2.1C higher than the longterm average.
The average minimum for August is 14.7C, but so far the average is 15.7C.
Townsville is expected to remain cool in the mornings and warm during the day.
The forecast minimum today is 14C before reaching 28C .
There is a slight chance of showers in the coming week, but not enough to bring the August rainfall up to average.
Today there is no chance of rain.
The chance of showers is 20 per cent tomorrow, then down to 5 per cent on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Friday, there is a 20 per cent chance of a shower.