Monsoon docks on Australian coast. by Susan Powell
The seasonal monsoon has arrived across the north of Queensland and the Northern territory of Australia, bringing some heavy falls of rain for the thirsty ground.
As in India, the onset, duration and end of the monsoonal period in Darwin, Northern Territory is quite variable. There is considerable variation from year to year, in all three dates. Typically, the monsoon lasts from mid-December until around mid-March. The onset of the monsoon ranges from November 23rd to January 27th (Australian Summer-time), making this season’s rather a late one.
The Australian Weather Bureau said that there had been a couple of ‘false starts’ when the rains just sneaked into the northern coast, before moving back out to sea. Yesterday, however, the rain clouds gathered and the rain came down in torrents.
In Townsville on the northeast coast of Queensland heavy rain fell all day on Thursday, amounting to an astounding 100mm (4 inches) in the 24 hours period. Most other areas received between 50-70mm through the day.
The heavy rains are now expected to continue for the north of Australia until their autumn, although particularly heavy burst are expected over the next few days on the eastern side of the Gulf of Carpentana, perhaps affecting the town of Weipa.
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