MEDIA RELEASE

Bureau of Meteorology figures released today show that January 1999 rainfall ranged from very much below average in western Victoria to significantly above average in East Gippsland. Temperatures were well above average in most districts during the month, and thunderstorms occurred on a number of days causing bushfires, power blackouts and flash flooding.

RAINFALL
Heavy rainfall was recorded in East Gippsland, where a number of stations received more than 100 millimetres for the month. Gabo Island recorded 385.8mm, including 236mm in the 24 hours to 9am on 24 January. These totals were record monthly and daily falls respectively. Other notable monthly totals were 270mm at Mallacoota, 207mm at Point Hicks (also a record) and 157mm at Genoa.

In West Gippsland, the highest rainfall total for January was 146mm at Mt Moornapa. In the north-east of the state, falls were generally between 40 and 90mm. The highest falls were 136mm at Eldorado, 127.8mm at Falls Creek and 124mm at Omeo. In Central Victoria, falls were generally 25 to 50mm.

In other areas, totals were generally between 5 and 25mm, with the lowest falls occurring in the Wimmera and South Mallee.

TEMPERATURE
January was hot. The average minimum and maximum temperatures were between two and five degrees above the normal at most places, and many centres recorded their hottest mean maximum and minimum temperatures for January (see below). However in coastal areas, mean temperatures were generally within one degree of normal.

In Melbourne, the average minimum was 17.0 degrees Celsius (normal 15.1), the highest January minimum temperature since 1981 when the mean minimum was 17.7. Melbourne's average maximum was 27.7 (normal 25.9), the hottest January since 1997 when 27.8 was recorded. Melbourne recorded 24.4mm of rain in January (normal 47.1mm), marking the driest January since 1990 when 3.8mm was recorded.

RECORD HIGH MEAN MAXIMUM, MINIMUM TEMPERATURES FOR JANUARY
Ouyen recorded a mean maximum of 36.3, the highest since 1981 (36.1), and a mean minimum of 18.6, the highest since 1981 (18.4).
Walpeup Res. recorded a mean maximum of 36.0, the highest since 1981 (35.8).
Donald recorded a mean maximum of 34.0, the highest since 1981 (33.6).
Nhill recorded a mean maximum of 34.6, the highest since 1981 (33.4).
Warracknabeal recorded a mean maximum of 34.9, the highest since 1981 (34.2).
Longerenong recorded a mean maximum of 33.5, the highest since 1968 (33.4).
Kerang recorded a mean maximum of 35.3, the highest since 1981 (35.3), and a mean minimum of 18.9, the highest since 1981 (18.2).
Kyabram recorded a mean maximum of 34.1, the highest since 1981 (33.8), and a mean minimum of 17.4, the highest since 1981 (17.0).
Tatura recorded a mean maximum of 33.2, the highest since 1981 (32.9), and Tatura Institute recorded a mean minimum of 17.0, the highest since 1981 (17.0).
Mortlake recorded a mean maximum of 27.6, the highest since 1997 (27.1).
Gabo Island recorded a mean maximum of 23.1, the highest since 1988 (23.1).
Ararat recorded a mean maximum of 30.3, the highest since 1988 (30.1).

Mildura recorded a mean minimum of 19.6, the highest since 1981 (17.8).
Echuca recorded a mean minimum of 17.8, the highest since 1961 (17.8).
Benalla recorded a mean minimum of 19.0, the highest since 1981 (17.8).
Strathbogie recorded a mean minimum of 15.2, the highest since 1981 (14.2).
Rutherglen recorded a mean minimum of 17.1, the highest since 1973 (17.1).
Wonthaggi recorded a mean minimum of 14.9, the highest since 1981 (14.7).
Sale recorded a mean minimum of 15.0, the highest since 1991 (14.8).

Ends

For further information contact: Climate Meteorologist Kevin Burrows: (03) 9669 4949 or, after hours, the Senior Forecaster (03) 9669 4921.