MONTHLY CLIMATE SUMMARY - VICTORIAN REGIONAL OFFICE
March mostly dry and warm
Bureau of Meteorology data released today, show that much of Victoria recorded significantly below average rainfall during March (Table 1). Most districts were generally between 50 to 74% below the average. For example Western Plains had 9.9 mm of rainfall, which is 73.7% below the average (Table 2). The only districts with above average were the Lower Northeast and East Gippsland where rainfall was 17% and 32% respectively above the average.
The highest monthly rainfall was at Mt Hotham in the Upper Northeast with 136.2 mm, while
the lowest was at Wycheproof in the North Wimmera with 1.2 mm. While the Lower
Northeast and East Gippsland recorded above average rainfall, it was not enough to change
the long term picture which shows most districts 10 to 24% below the 36 month average.
West Gippsland and East Central, continue to have the driest 36 month period on record. The
figures are:
West Gippsland 2147.5 mm - previous low 1913 and normal 2751.0 mm
East Central 2004.3 mm - previous low 1913 and normal 2703.8 mm (this includes the
eastern metropolitan area)
Temperatures were above the average (Table 2). Several centres recorded record average maximum temperatures for March. For example, Geelong Airport averaged 25.6 deg C (previous record 24.4 deg C in 1985), and Mt Hotham 17.1 deg C (previous record 14.6 deg C in 1992). The higher temperatures were linked to the continued persistence of high pressure systems over the Tasman Sea during the month, producing north to northeast winds across Victoria, and a hot start to March,
The State's highest temperature for the month was 40.0 deg C at Mortlake and Warrnambool, both on March 2. The State's lowest temperature was minus 2.3 deg C at Falls Creek on March 24. Melbourne's average minimum temperature for March was 15.8 deg C the warmest since 1992, when it was 15 deg C (normal 14.1 deg C). The average maximum temperature was 26.3 deg C the warmest since 1936 when it was 26.5 deg C (normal 24.1 deg C). There were 7 days over 30 deg C, the last time this occurred was 1990. also with 7 days. 24.8 mm of rainfall (normal 43.5 mm) fell on 6 days is the least since 1986 when rain fell on only four days.
Ends