Top End’s hottest day on record amid spectacular lightning storms in Arnhem Land

As Territorians stepped outside to watch a brilliant lightning display, the Bureau of Meteorology recorded one of the Top End’s hottest days out of 24 years of data. Watch the video.

A lightning display to rival Darwin’s New Year’s Eve fireworks has shocked Territorians with its sheer power and longevity.

As night crept over the Top End, lightning streaked across the sky with a flourish of purple and white on Monday evening.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Khaya Mpehle said the storms “kicked off” in Arnhem Land but strong winds pushed the wild weather west, forming an “organised” storm and squall lines.

“Organised storms have a better chance of living longer, going longer into the evening,” Mr Mpehle said.

“They were located in Arnhem, came into the Daly district and then they passed south of the Darwin area – basically they went through Bachelor and the Douglas River area.”

Mr Mpehle said the storms brought plenty of rain across the Top End, ranging from 15-40mm.

The meteorologist said isolated storms near Adelaide River dumped 50mm on the area.

A slow moving lightning storm passes over Larrakeyah Barracks, Darwin. Picture: Che Chorley

It comes as the Territory heats up during continued delays to the monsoonal season.

Mr Mpehle said the Top End sweated through some of its hottest days on record on New Year’s Day.

“Elcho Island and the Eastern Arnhem Land area recorded 37.6 (degrees) yesterday, and based on 24 years of data, that was the highest maximum temperature recorded in January at that location,” he said.

“The last time it was that warm was on January 16 2016, that was 35.6.”

Mr Mpehle said Darwin’s minimum temperature had been 29.9 degrees, and the rural areas reached 39 degrees.

“The last time it was warmer than that was 39.7 degrees on January 8, 2014,” he said.

Mr Mpehle said the monsoonal season would likely descend in late January.