127 year rainfall and extreme lows: dozens of Queensland weather records smashed in July

Dozens of winter weather records were smashed across Queensland in July, with the state the recording the coldest average temperatures since 1989 and rainfall more than 146 per cent above average. SEE WHERE THE RECORDS FELL

Weather records have been smashed across Queensland this July, with many places seeing unprecedented temperatures and rain.

Those who noticed a particularly cold and wet winter have been proven right – the Bureau of Meteorology’s summary of the state’s weather across July shows it had the coolest average temperature since 1989.

Rainfall was more than 146 per cent above average, making it Queensland’s ninth wettest July on record.

Kuranda Railway Station, north of Cairns, beat 127 years of record-keeping with its highest ever July total rainfall of 231.1mm.

Kuranda Railway Station had its wettest July since record keeping began 127 years ago. Picture: Stewart McLean

The 26 other spots that saw their highest ever July rainfall are Allingham Forrest Drive, Alva Beach, Century Mine, Gayndah Airport, Hamilton Island Airport, Hazeldean, Innot Hot Springs Township, Karalee, Kingaroy Airport, Low Holm Station, Maitland Downs Station, Mareeba Airport, Miles Constance Street, Mount Carbine Township, Mt Tarampa, Rocklands, Russell River, Seventeen Seventy, Southwick West Station, Toomba Stud, Trafalgar Station, Walkamin Research Station, White Cliff Point, Whyanbeel Valley, Wivenhoe Dam, and Woodford Stanmore.

Daytime temperatures were cooler than average across most of the state, and thirty-six weather stations saw record low July average daily maximum temperatures.

Bundaberg broke a record in place since 1965 with an average maximum of 20.3C, while Brisbane broke a 2008 record for an average of 19.9C, and Toowoomba a 1998 record for 14.7C.

Cold weather at Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt. Photo: Nigel Hallett

Other places with lowest average daily maximum temperatures include Alva Beach, Bedouri, Beerburrum Forest Station, Blackall Airport, Brisbane Aero, Burketown Airport, Charters Towers Airport, Cloncurry Airport, Dalby Airport, Emerald Airport, Gladstone Airport, Gladstone Radar, Hamilton Island Airport, Hervey Bay Airport, Hughenden Airport, Kingaroy Airport, Logan City Water Treatment Plant, Middle Percy Island, Miles Constance Street, Point Lookout, Proserpine Airport, Rainbow Beach, Richmond Airport, Roma Airport, Samuel Hill Aero, Sweers Island, Tewantin RSL Park, Thangool Airport, The Monument Airport, Trepell Airport, Warwick, Woolshed, and Yeppoon The Esplanade.

Applethorpe shivered through the coldest days, with an average of 13.5C.

The coldest temperature for the month was recorded July 11 at Roma Airport, when the mercury dropped to -3.9C.

At the other extreme, a heatwave rocked Coconut Island in the Torres Strait. They hit the month’s highest temperature of 35.5C, and experienced an all time high across July with days averaging a summery 33.2C.