Wet second half of 2004 still leaves Victoria below average

Rainfall: Preliminary Bureau of Meteorology data show that 2004 was drier than normal across much of the State, in spite of a relatively wet second half. The northwest was particularly dry, with the North Mallee averaging 230.8 mm (normal: 321.9 mm), the South Mallee averaging 295.9 mm (normal: 365.7 mm), and the North Wimmera averaging 279.9 mm (normal: 404.2 mm). By contrast, slightly above average rainfall (813.7 mm) was gratefully received by the West Coast (normal: 777.5 mm).

Daytime temperatures were about 0.5 deg C above normal in the north, but very close to normal at most southern localities. Nighttime temperatures were about 0.5 deg C below normal across most of the State.

Melbourne appears to be heading towards its eighth consecutive year of below normal rainfall. With only a week remaining in 2004, 602.6 mm have been recorded (normal: 638.8 mm). Temperatures have been close to normal, with the average minimum being 11.5 deg C (normal: 11.0 deg C), and the average maximum 20.3 deg C (normal: 19.9 deg C).

Monthly Highlights: (click on months for more information)

January Highlight: Many places experiencing their coolest January for 10 or 12 years.

February Highlight: An extraordinary two week heat wave developed over Eastern Australia with Northern Victoria experiencing record high February temperatures.

March Highlight: A dry March concluded one of the State's driest first quarters on record.

April Highlight: April provided contrasting conditions across Victoria with high temperatures setting new April temperature records during the middle of the month. This hot spell was followed by a series of cold fronts that culminated with record breaking rains over Eastern Victoria.

May Highlight: Another dry month saw most places in the north of the State registering January to May totals that are only one-third of the long-term average.

June Highlight: The dry spell relents, as strong westerlies establish themselves across southern Australia.

July Highlight: Dry weather returns to much of the northern plains.

August Highlight: Normal rainfall in most places; Melbourne experiences its coldest August day for 26 years.

September Highlight: Northeast streams in flood.

October Highlight: A mid-month heatwave accompanied by record high temperatures.

November Highlight: Wettest November for 12 years in western and central parts of the State. Some floods, but mostly confined to the Melbourne metropolitan area, with the main flooding in the Yarra River.

December Highlight: A week long spell of high humidity and severe thunderstorms.

For further information on the Seasonal Climate Outlook and El Nino Wrap-up.

Please contact us for further information.

Victoria Climate Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
Dr Harvey Stern (03) 9669 4949
Mr Neal Moodie (03) 9669 4906
Email climate.vic@bom.gov.au
Daily Weather Observations for selected Victoria localities are available here.