02/08/2010: Despite a cool start to the month, Brisbane has just experienced it's warmest July in five years, according to weatherzone.com.au.

Minimum temperatures were a stand-out feature. They averaged 12 degrees, two degrees above the long-term average, making them the highest on record for the ten-year-old Brisbane site.

Maximum temperatures weren't as exciting. This year's average of 22 was almost exactly the same as the long-term July average, but it was still the highest in four years.

By combining minimum and maximum temperatures, this July was the warmest in the Queensland capital since 2005.

“There haven't been many strong, cold systems over southeastern Australia in the last month,” explained Samuel Terry, meteorologist for weatherzone.com.au. “Normally, cold air behind these systems will filter north, affecting both minimum and maximum temperatures in Brisbane. However, this July we didn't really see that.”

“Another factor that contributed to the overall warmth was the sea surface temperature in the Coral Sea. This was persistently around one or two degrees above average over July, particularly affecting minimum temperatures.”

Rainfall in Brisbane during July was slightly above average, with the monthly total coming in at 28 millimetres. Most coastal towns were similar to Brisbane in that they too picked up in excess of their monthly average. However, inland locations didn't fare as well. Archerfield only received forty percent of its long-term average of 51 mm.

“Historically, winter is by far and away Brisbane's driest season, so even slightly more rain than usual will be noticeable,” Terry said.

“Generally, the forecast is for above average rainfall in southeast Queensland as we head into spring and then into summer, mainly due to the development of a La Nina. However, the next week should be mostly dry, with only brief showers possible on Thursday and Friday.”

Media Inquiries:

Samuel Terry
media@weatherzone.com.au
02 9965 9236

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