Weather News

Dry winds surge through the NT

A surge of cool, dry and gusty winds from the southeast has delivered Darwin its chilliest morning of the year, but also prompted a Fire Ban for the northwest Top End.

A strong surge of winds from the southeast is fairly typical at this time of year, due to the formation of powerful high pressure systems over the Australian continent, typically in the wake of strong winter time cold fronts.

A surge of dry winds from the southeast at this time of year typically delivers Darwin some of its coldest mornings. The minimum temperature of 14.5 degrees in Darwin this morning was the lowest so far this year (and 5 below average), but it felt a few degrees colder when the wind chill was taken into account. Victoria River Downs recorded its coldest June morning in 41 years of records, dipping down to 2 degrees, 10 below the monthly average.

Winds have been gusting at between 20-30 knots across much of the NT this morning, including in the south at Kintore. Tennant Creek has also been recording gusts of close to 30 knots, while the highest gust at Darwin airport has been 26 knots.

These winds have prompted coastal wind warnings and also a 'Fire Weather Warning'. Not only are the winds strong today, but relative humidity is below 20% in some cases, while there are existing fires in the Vernon Fire Control Region. It is for this reason that a Fire Ban has been declared for the northwest of the Darwin-Daly district today.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2012

More breaking news

ABC News
Sydney Morning Herald
National Nine News
News Limited

East Coast Low soaks NSW

15:24 EST Parts of the NSW coast have seen their heaviest rain in four years as an East Coast Low creeps north.