The north coast of Queensland from Cooktown down to Rockhampton has again been belted by 40+ heat during the past week.
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In Cairns the 42.4, 42.1 and 40.5, were all more than three degrees above the previous record-high November temperature with records dating back to 1889.
The 42.4 beat the previous November record by a massive five degrees.
The readings at Proserpine were 44.9, 43.0 and 44.3, well above the previous November record of 41.2 in 1990.
Not only was this a November record but a record for any month, except for a reading of 43.2 at the old post office site on January 31, 1923, when Eastern Australia was in the grip of a very dry, hot period lasting months on end.
Innisfail's 42 degrees was nearly four degrees above the previous November record and a new record for any month.
Other heat records for November were set at Mackay, 38.2, South Johnston, 41.3 and Mareeba, 39.5.
The surface synoptic charts have been very unusual the past few days.
Most of the continent has been covered by centres of low pressure and barometer readings have been below normal at all places.
This type of synoptic situation across the continent will no doubt create odd weather events but not break the extensive drought.
The movements of some centres of low pressure have been very erratic and unpredictable the past week.
One of these lows is currently approaching our regions from inland WA and has produced isolated thunderstorms in its path, a few millimetres at Tarcoola and Woomera at this moment.
There will be some thunderstorm activity in our regions, but widespread heavy falls are unlikely.
Maximum temperatures will be above normal on most days with the hottest days just before Christmas.
... surface synoptic charts have been very unusual ...
The passage of last week's extensive low pressure trough brought a marked cool change to Victoria and the Riverina.
Wangaratta had a maximum temperature of 13.5 degrees on November 22 and was the coldest November day there since 1971.
Melbourne and suburbs are enjoying the wettest November for 10 years.
On November 28, Sydney recorded 124mm in about six hours, and followed a very wet October.
There were about a dozen or so previous cases when the combined October-November period was much wetter than average.
