Geography Townsville

the ross river runs through townsville

townsville lies approximately 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) north of brisbane, , 350 kilometres (220 mi) south of cairns. lies on shores of cleveland bay, protected degree predominantly south-east weather. cleveland bay shallow inshore, several large beaches , continually shifting sand bars. magnetic island lies 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) offshore, north of city centre.

the ross river flows through city. 3 weirs, fish stocking , dredging of river in these reaches has resulted in deep, stable , clean waterway used many recreational activities such waterskiing, fishing , rowing. thirty kilometres mouth (at junction of 5 head creek) ross river dam, major water storage urban areas.

the historic waterfront on ross creek, site of original wharves , port facilities, has old buildings mixed later modern skyline. however, central city dominated mass of red granite called castle hill, 292 metres (958 ft) high , 8 metres short of being mountain. there lookout @ summit giving panoramic views of city , suburbs, including cleveland bay , magnetic island. there number of parks scattered throughout city, including 3 botanical gardens — anderson park, queens gardens , palmetum.

climate

townsville characterised tropical savanna climate (köppen climate classification aw). owing quirk of geographical location, townsville s winter rainfall in particular not high elsewhere in eastern coastal tropics of queensland, such cairns. winter months dominated southeast trade winds , fine weather. further north coastline runs north/south , trade winds lifted produce rainfall right through year. townsville, however, lies on section of coastline turns east/west, lifting effect not present. result, winter months dominated blue skies, warm days , cool nights, although @ times significant rainfall may occur.

kenneth wade robinson summarised climate follows:

the sunshine attracts many tourists; high temperatures, bright sunshine, lack of moisture in winter, , prospect of flooding in summer have profound effect on aspects of life , landscape. special techniques required successful farming, sub-tropical crops important items of production, pastures grow in summer, , transport may dislocated when needed most. since onset of white settlement, pastoralists , farmers of north-east coastlands region have faced problems there no answers in agriculture practices of temperate lands.

the average annual rainfall 1,143 millimetres (45.00 in) on average 91 rain days, of falls during six-month wet season november april. because of hit or miss nature of tropical lows , thunderstorms, , powerful influence of el niño–southern oscillation, variation year year uniquely large wet climate, being comparable few cities in brazilian nordeste (e.g. fortaleza). since records @ various urban locations started in 1871 twelve-month rainfalls in townsville have ranged mere 217.9 millimetres (8.58 in) between december 1901 , november 1902 @ peak of federation drought, as 2,956.2 millimetres (116.39 in) between march 1990 , february 1991. on average, driest year in ten can expect half mean rainfall, compared around 64 percent in brisbane, 68 percent in sydney, , 72 percent in darwin.

rainfall varies considerably within metropolitan area; typically ranges 1,136 millimetres (44.7 in) @ central townsville city 853 millimetres (33.6 in) @ woodstock, southwestern suburb. wettest 24 hours on record 11 january 1998, 548.8 millimetres (21.61 in) falling in 12-hour period after dark, has since been dubbed night of noah townsville residents.

december warmest month of year daily mean maximum , minimum temperatures being 31.5 °c (88.7 °f) , 24.1 °c (75.4 °f) respectively. july coolest month daily mean maximum , minimum temperatures being 25.1 °c (77.2 °f) , 13.7 °c (56.7 °f). townsville experiences annual mean of 8.5 hours of sunshine per day, averaging 120.8 clear days per year.

tropical cyclones

like of north queensland, townsville susceptible tropical cyclones. occur between december , april, forming out in coral sea, , tracking west coast. notable cyclones affect townsville region have been: cyclone yasi (2011), cyclone tessi (2000), cyclone sid (1998, in particular damaging strand), cyclone joy (1990), cyclone althea (1971), cyclone leonta (1903) , cyclone sigma (1896).

townsville , thuringowa experienced major flooding in january 1998 due cyclone sid.