MEDIA RELEASE
The Hon Dr Sharman Stone
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Federal Member for Murray

Driest March on record for Northeastern Victoria

Data has confirmed what all of us know: Cobram and Nathalia in Northeastern Victoria have had the driest March ever recorded, Federal Member for Murray, Sharman Stone MP said. “While we had one of the latest summers on record, we have slipped into one of the hottest autumns,” Dr Stone said.

Both Cobram and Nathalia recorded new record March rainfall lows with 6.0mm and 2.8mm of rain respectively. These broke the lowest previous recordings of 9.0mm for Cobram in 1986 and 4.0mm for Nathalia in 1965. Quambatook in the eastern side of the Murray electorate recorded the lowest rainfall for the three months to March with 1.2mm. Its previous record was 2.1mm in 1965.

Dr Stone said the Bureau of Meteorology results showed that in most of Victoria, rainfall totals were well down on previous years. “Rainfall for all districts in Victoria, except for the West Coast, was well below average,” Dr Stone said. “The Northeast of Victoria and Gippsland received less than 20 per cent of rain for this time of the year. However, there is a 30–40 per cent chance of above-normal rainfall for the next three months. We tend to have the autumn break come at about Anzac Day. Let’s hope the dams then receive the best falls ever and we have a great start to the next season.”

Dr Stone said the Bureau of Meteorology would continue to monitor weather conditions on a regular basis. “It understands how important its work is for the Australian community and the value placed on its expertise.”

Ends

Further information:
tel: (03) 5821 5371
Bureau of Meteorology website: www.bom.gov.au to obtain regular updates on climate conditions and forecasts.