Gulf Of Carpentaria Climate Comparison
Sept 8, 2022 20:12:26 GMT -5
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Post by greysrigging on Sept 8, 2022 20:12:26 GMT -5
Two Northern Australian mining towns ( around 12*S ), both of which are service centers for huge Bauxite mining operations.
The Weipa operations commenced in 1960 and the Gove operations in 1971.
Climatically, the casual observer would think both towns are very similar, but in reality this is not exactly the case, with the western side of the Gulf town, Weipa, being substantially hotter and wetter than the eastern side of the Gulf town, Nhulunbuy on the Gove Penninsular.
Despite only 550klm across the seas, there are no direct flights from the NT to Weipa, one has fly over to Cairns, than back to Weipa.
A road trip between the two towns is an epic journey !
Weipa Port and Townsite
Gove/Nhulunbuy Port and Townsite
It is interesting to compare the two Bauxite towns, climatically:
WIEPA, QLD
Weipa has a tropical monsoonal climate with a distinct wet and dry season.
The average annual rainfall at Weipa is over 2 metres with most occuring from December through to March. Very little rainfall is reported from May to September.
Average daily maximum temperatures range from 31 degrees during the winter months up to 35 degrees during late spring before the commencement of 'the wet'. Minimum overnight temperatures are 18-19 degrees during the winter months and near 24 degrees during summer.
The region tends to have light to moderate southeast to east winds during the dry season. Over the summer winds are mostly light tending moderate westerly when the monsoon trough dips south of the area. Fresh winds occur occasionally but strong or gale force winds normally only occur with a tropical cyclone.
The cyclone season is from December through to April with cyclones regularly affecting the area. Tropical Cyclone "Mark" crossed the coast near Weipa on 10th January 1992, with consequent widespread minor damage - falling trees being largely responsible for damage to houses and power lines. Wave action caused extensive damage at a Port loading facility. The maximum wind gust at the Weipa Met. office was 63 knots from the northwest. Weipa records 33 thunder days per year on average with almost all occuring from late spring through to early autumn. Fog occurs on average 4-5 times each year. Maximum temperatures have almost reached 40 degrees and minimum temperatures have dropped to around 12 degrees.
GOVE/NHULUNBUY, NT
Gove Penninsular climate
www.eastarnhemland.com.au/plan/weather-and-seasons
Nhulunbuy has a tropical savannah climate (Aw). Temperatures are hot year round with very warm nights. The wet season lasts from December to May and experiences consistent and very heavy rainfall. Rainfall does occur during the dry season, but it usually is very uncommon and limited. Nhulunbuy has a very narrow temperature range like most tropical climates, with a temperature range of only 23.8 ยฐC (42.8 ยฐF).
The Weipa operations commenced in 1960 and the Gove operations in 1971.
Climatically, the casual observer would think both towns are very similar, but in reality this is not exactly the case, with the western side of the Gulf town, Weipa, being substantially hotter and wetter than the eastern side of the Gulf town, Nhulunbuy on the Gove Penninsular.
Despite only 550klm across the seas, there are no direct flights from the NT to Weipa, one has fly over to Cairns, than back to Weipa.
A road trip between the two towns is an epic journey !
Weipa Port and Townsite
Gove/Nhulunbuy Port and Townsite
It is interesting to compare the two Bauxite towns, climatically:
WIEPA, QLD
Weipa has a tropical monsoonal climate with a distinct wet and dry season.
The average annual rainfall at Weipa is over 2 metres with most occuring from December through to March. Very little rainfall is reported from May to September.
Average daily maximum temperatures range from 31 degrees during the winter months up to 35 degrees during late spring before the commencement of 'the wet'. Minimum overnight temperatures are 18-19 degrees during the winter months and near 24 degrees during summer.
The region tends to have light to moderate southeast to east winds during the dry season. Over the summer winds are mostly light tending moderate westerly when the monsoon trough dips south of the area. Fresh winds occur occasionally but strong or gale force winds normally only occur with a tropical cyclone.
The cyclone season is from December through to April with cyclones regularly affecting the area. Tropical Cyclone "Mark" crossed the coast near Weipa on 10th January 1992, with consequent widespread minor damage - falling trees being largely responsible for damage to houses and power lines. Wave action caused extensive damage at a Port loading facility. The maximum wind gust at the Weipa Met. office was 63 knots from the northwest. Weipa records 33 thunder days per year on average with almost all occuring from late spring through to early autumn. Fog occurs on average 4-5 times each year. Maximum temperatures have almost reached 40 degrees and minimum temperatures have dropped to around 12 degrees.
GOVE/NHULUNBUY, NT
Gove Penninsular climate
www.eastarnhemland.com.au/plan/weather-and-seasons
Nhulunbuy has a tropical savannah climate (Aw). Temperatures are hot year round with very warm nights. The wet season lasts from December to May and experiences consistent and very heavy rainfall. Rainfall does occur during the dry season, but it usually is very uncommon and limited. Nhulunbuy has a very narrow temperature range like most tropical climates, with a temperature range of only 23.8 ยฐC (42.8 ยฐF).
