MEDIA RELEASE

Bureau of Meteorology figures released today show that Victoria has experienced a warmer than normal summer, with both overnight and daytime temperatures between one and two degrees Celsius above average.

Melbourne's average minimum temperature for December through to the end of February was 16.2 (normal 14.7), while Melbourne's average maximum was 27.2 (normal 25.3).

The state's highest temperature for the summer was 44.5, recorded at Ouyen on 6 January, while Melbourne's highest temperature was 41.9, recorded on December 11.

The state's lowest temperature was -3.1, recorded at Mt Hotham on 5 December, while Melbourne's lowest temperature was 10.4, recorded on December 21.

Rainfall was close to average in most districts, but in parts of the north it was slightly below average and in parts of Gippsland it was slightly above average.

Victoria's wettest place was East Gippsland's Gabo Island, with 477 millimetres for the season (normal 212mm). Victoria's driest spot was Nathalia in the Northern Country with 23mm (normal 87mm). Melbourne received 136mm (normal 153 mm).

The summer rainfall was not sufficient to bring an end to the dry spell which has affected Central Victoria and West and South Gippsland since October 1996. Leongatha's rainfall over that period (1757mm) is the lowest on record (the previous record low was 1830mm between 1980 and 1983), as is that of many other places in the district. Melbourne's total of 1128mm is also a record (previously 1208mm between 1966 and 1969).

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For further information contact: Climate Meteorologist Harvey Stern: (03) 9669 4949
After Hours, Senior Forecaster: (03) 9669 4921