Tennant Creek Climate Analysis

Our proposed site for the mod-5 classroom is Tennant Creek, as we wanted to have an emphasis on indigenous studies, whilst the classroom being amongst a large enough population to sustain a Steiner School.

Tennant Creek ( pop 4,000)

Geography and climate
Climate

Tennant Creek is located in the middle of the Northern Territory, 376.5 metres above sea level. Day temperatures range from 24 degrees to 38 degrees, with an average of 22 days per year exceeding 40 degrees. Day time minimum temperatures range from 12 degrees in winter to 25 degrees in the hotter months.

Most of the rain falls during the summer months, but occasional storms occur at other times of the year. Average annual rainfall is 426mm. Winter (May to October) in Tennant Creek is dry with cool nights and mornings. Summer November to April) is hot and dry with occasional rainfall.^[2]

Climate Table
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum temperature (°C)	36.7	35.7	34.3	31.6	27.6	24.6	24.5	27.5	31.5	34.7	36.5	37.3	31.9
Mean daily minimum temperature (°C)	25.0	24.5	23.2	20.4	16.3	13.0	12.2	14.4	18.3	21.7	23.8	24.9	19.8
Mean total rainfall (mm)	106.6	126.2	55.5	16.6	7.9	4.7	4.7	1.8	7.8	21.3	38.2	69.7	448.9
Mean number of rain days	7.0	7.7	4.5	1.5	1.0	0.5	0.4	0.4	1.1	3.0	4.1	5.5	36.7
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Topography and climate

Tennant Creek has a warm continental climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Most rain falls during the period from December to March, when temperatures are also at their highest. Temperatures fall during the dry months with sunny days and mild nights. There is 9.1 to 10.4 hours of sunshine per day with an average of 155 clear days per year. Prevailing winds are from the east to south-east.

Site information

• Site name: TENNANT CREEK AIRPORT
• Site number: 015135
• Latitude: 19.64 °S Longitude: 134.18 °E
• Elevation: 376 m
• Commenced: 1969 Status: Open
• Latest available data: 07 Aug 2008

Solar Movement, http://www.ga.gov.au/geodesy/astro/smpos.jsp

Tennant Creek, 19.64 °S Lat, 134.18 °E Long

(Taken at midday)

Summer Solstice (December 22^nd)

Azimuth     Altitude

118°45'53"   81°45'23"

Winter Solstice (June 22nd)

Azimuth     Altitude

11°41'60"   46°04'39"