Monday, 2 March 2009 - Monthly Climate Summary for Victoria - Product code IDCKGC26R0

Victoria in February 2009
Very warm and dry

Summary

The very dry and warm weather that prevailed across Victoria during the second half of December and throughout January, continued during February. Daytime temperatures have averaged between 1 and 3 degrees above normal, including numerous all-time record maximum temperatures on 7 February, whilst overnight temperatures have averaged between half a degree and 1 degree above normal. Very little rain has fallen for the past ten weeks.

Included among the many places that received no rain during the entire month of February are Echuca, Terang, Mildura, Kyabram and Avoca. Melbourne received only 3 mm for the month.

Included among the many places that registered their all-time record maximum temperatures on 7 February are Melbourne (46.4 deg C), Hopetoun (48.8 deg C), Horsham (47.6 deg C), Grovedale (47.4 deg C) and Eildon (45.4 deg C).

An archive of previous monthly summaries for Victoria is also available, as are summaries for other states and many other climate summaries and diagnostics.

Details

Some sites had their lowest total 1 February to 28 February rainfall on record. Some sites had their lowest total 1 February to 28 February rainfall for at least 20 years. Some sites had their highest 1 February to 28 February temperature on record. Some sites had their warmest 1 February to 28 February night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record.

The Heatwave

After a month of almost rainless weather, an exceptional heatwave affected Victoria during late January and early February. These most extreme conditions were widespread across the State, with many records set both for high daytime and night time temperatures as well as for duration of extreme heat.

There were two major episodes of exceptional temperatures, from 28−31 January and 6−8 February, with slightly lower but still very high temperatures persisting in inland areas during the period between.

Widespread very hot conditions began to develop from 27 January onwards. The presence of a slow moving high pressure system in the Tasman Sea, combined with an intense tropical low off the northwest coast of Western Australia and an active monsoon trough, provided the ideal conditions for hot air of tropical orign to be directed over Victoria.

The initial acute phase of the heatwave extended from 28 to 30 January, with many individual records set on those days. For example, the highest temperatures recorded in much of Victoria since 1939 with Melbourne only missing recording its highest maximum temperature by a small margin; and, the long duration of the event – with records reached for consecutive days over 43 at Melbourne (3) and other localities.

A weak change brought some relief to southern coastal areas from 31 January onwards, but inland areas remained very hot until 5 February. Extreme heat then returned throughout most of Victoria, peaking on 7 February when strengthening northerly winds sent temperatures up to record highs at numerous places, before the Tasman Sea high finally moved away on 8 February.

More details about the heatwave may be found at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf

A preliminary summary for summer may be found at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/season/vic/summary.shtml

A preliminary summary for the year so far may be found at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/vic/summary.shtml

Seasonal Climate Outlook

The outlook for autumn rainfall may be found at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/rain.seaus.shtml

The outlook for autumn temperatures may be found at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/temp.seaus.shtml

Long-Term Climate Averages

Long term climate averages may be found at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/

Further information

Dr Harvey Stern
Climate Meteorologist
Victoria Climate Services Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
Phone (03) 9669 4956
Email climate.vic@bom.gov.au

Records

Record lowest total 1 February to 28 February rainfall
Total rainfall
for 1 February to 28 February 2009 (mm)
Previous lowest
for 1 February to 28 February
Years of
record
Average for
1 February to 28 February
Echuca Aerodrome 0.0 = 0.0 in 1968 127 26.4
Narraport 0.0 = 0.0 in 2008 121 22.3
Blackwood 1.0 = 1.0 in 1956 120 54.5
Yanac North 0.0 = 0.0 in 2008 114 21.7
Jeparit 0.0 = 0.0 in 2008 107 24.8
Terang 0.0 = 0.0 in 1991 106 38.0
Lismore (Post Office) 0.0 1.1 in 1970 88 36.9
Mildura Airport 0.0 = 0.0 in 2008 63 19.6
Derrinallum (Post Office) 0.4 1.4 in 1991 52 35.7
Kyabram DPI 0.0 = 0.0 in 2008 45 25.6
Avoca 0.0 = 0.0 in 1914 43 32.5
Willow Grove 3.0 5.8 in 1997 39 48.6
Noojee (Slivar) 6.0 6.8 in 1997 28 55.2
Warrenbayne 0.6 1.8 in 1991 26 36.8
Hamilton Airport 0.4 = 0.4 in 1991 20 24.2

Lowest total 1 February to 28 February rainfall for at least 20 years
Total rainfall
for 1 February to 28 February 2009 (mm)
Most recent lower
for 1 February to 28 February
Years since
lower
Average for
1 February to 28 February
Durdidwarrah 1.0 0.8 in 1876 133 49.2
Koetong 0.8 0.0 in 1937 62 55.0
Trentham (Post Office) 0.8 0.3 in 1956 52 54.9
Cheltenham Kingston Centre 0.6 0.0 in 1956 51 49.0
Avenel (Post Office) 0.4 0.0 in 1968 38 34.0
Harrietville 4.7 2.2 in 1978 31 66.4
Cressy 0.6 0.0 in 1975 30 34.5
Lake Eildon 2.0 1.6 in 1980 29 40.7
Nagambie (Goulburn Weir) 1.2 0.4 in 1980 29 30.1
Bannockburn 2.8 1.0 in 1982 27 35.3
Dartmouth Reservoir 2.0 0.4 in 1982 27 50.0
Rushworth 0.4 0.0 in 1980 27 29.8
Strathbogie 2.4 0.6 in 1982 27 41.6
Ballarat Aerodrome 2.2 0.0 in 1983 26 43.1
Beeac (Post Office) 0.9 0.0 in 1983 26 35.5
Cobden (Post Office) 0.4 0.0 in 1983 26 40.4
Forrest State Forest 1.4 0.8 in 1983 26 48.2
Rochester 0.8 0.0 in 1983 26 30.1
Ventnor (Oaklands) 4.0 1.4 in 1983 26 43.7
Weeaproinah 16.2 3.0 in 1983 26 84.9
Apollo Bay 8.8 0.8 in 1983 25 50.6
Balmoral (Post Office) 0.2 0.0 in 1983 25 26.5
Rosebud (Country Club) 3.4 1.8 in 1983 25 42.9
Meredith (Darra) 8.0 4.9 in 1985 24 49.5
Stanhope 0.2 0.0 in 1985 24 28.4
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag 0.8 0.4 in 1985 24 31.5
Toora 12.2 11.6 in 1985 23 53.4
Euroa 1.6 0.0 in 1985 21 32.3
Phillip Island Penguin Reserve 2.6 2.0 in 1983 20 34.9



Record highest 1 February to 28 February temperature
Highest temperature
in 1 February to 28 February 2009 (°C)
Previous highest
for 1 February to 28 February
Years of
record
Average for
1 February to 28 February
Melbourne Regional Office 46.4 on the 7th 43.2 on the 8th in 1983 154 25.8
Laverton RAAF 47.5 on the 7th 45.0 on the 8th in 1983 65 25.5
East Sale Airport 44.4 on the 7th 43.6 on the 8th in 1983 63 25.2
Mildura Airport 46.7 on the 7th 45.6 on the 14th in 2004 63 31.6
Ballarat Aerodrome 44.1 on the 7th 40.9 on the 16th in 1983 53 25.3
Horsham Polkemmet Rd 47.6 on the 7th 45.2 on the 14th in 2004 53 29.6
Orbost (Comparison) 44.6 on the 7th 43.0 on the 8th in 1983 53 25.7
Ouyen (Post Office) 46.8 on the 7th 46.7 on the 14th in 2004 53 31.9
Echuca Aerodrome 46.8 on the 7th 44.6 on the 2nd in 1979 52 30.7
Omeo Comparison 40.0 on the 7th = 40.0 on the 1st in 1968 52 25.3
Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse 42.0 on the 7th 39.0 on the 8th in 1983 52 20.6
Mangalore Airport 46.1 on the 7th 43.6 on the 15th in 2004 48 29.6
Kyabram DPI 46.6 on the 7th 43.3 on the 1st in 1968 45 29.9
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag 44.8 on the 7th 41.4 on the 8th in 1983 45 29.4
Kerang 46.9 on the 7th 45.1 on the 14th in 2004 44 31.4
Maryborough 45.4 on the 7th 42.8 on the 14th in 2004 43 28.8
Walpeup Research 48.1 on the 7th 44.4 on the 16th in 1983 43 31.7
Castlemaine Prison 43.9 on the 7th 42.3 on the 24th in 1968 42 28.2
Longerenong 47.6 on the 7th 45.3 on the 14th in 2004 42 29.7
Point Hicks (Lighthouse) 40.4 on the 7th 39.9 on the 1st in 1983 42 23.7
Scoresby Research Institute 46.1 on the 7th 41.8 on the 24th in 1968 41 26.7
Wonthaggi 45.0 on the 7th 42.0 on the 8th in 1983 41 24.5
Ararat Prison 44.7 on the 7th 42.6 on the 14th in 2004 40 27.0
Essendon Airport 47.3 on the 7th 42.2 on the 25th in 1968 40 25.5
Lake Eildon 45.4 on the 7th 41.0 on the 15th in 2004 39 29.0
Melbourne Airport 46.8 on the 7th 43.3 on the 8th in 1983 39 26.5
Warracknabeal Museum 46.8 on the 7th 45.5 on the 14th in 2004 39 30.6
Moorabbin Airport 46.7 on the 7th 43.2 on the 8th in 1983 37 26.0
Strathbogie 42.0 on the 7th 39.5 on the 8th in 1983 36 27.4
Bundoora (Latrobe University) 46.5 on the 7th 43.1 on the 8th in 1983 30 26.7
Bairnsdale Airport 46.2 on the 7th 43.0 on the 3rd in 2000 28 25.4
Noojee (Slivar) 43.2 on the 7th 40.0 on the 8th in 1983 28 25.3
Weeaproinah 39.0 on the 7th 37.7 on the 16th in 1983 28 20.4
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) 46.3 on the 7th 40.7 on the 26th in 1998 26 26.7
Hamilton Airport 44.5 on the 7th 42.1 on the 14th in 2004 25 26.7
Beechworth Woolshed 44.3 on the 7th 40.8 on the 15th in 2004 23 30.0
Wangaratta Aero 45.8 on the 7th 43.5 on the 15th in 2004 22 31.0
Edi Upper 43.8 on the 7th 41.2 on the 15th in 2004 21 29.4
Grovedale (Geelong Airport) 47.4 on the 7th 41.6 on the 26th in 1998 21 24.7
Cranbourne Botanic Gardens 46.0 on the 7th 40.2 on the 26th in 1998 20 25.4
Mount Buller 30.7 on the 7th 28.0 on the 15th in 2004 20 16.8



Record highest 1 February to 28 February daily minimum temperature
Highest daily minimum
temperature
in 1 February to 28 February 2009 (°C)
Previous highest
for 1 February to 28 February
Years of
record
Average for
1 February to 28 February
Dartmouth Reservoir 24.0 on the 1st 21.7 on the 16th in 2004 33 13.6
Beechworth Woolshed 27.1 on the 8th 24.3 on the 7th in 1997 22 12.9
Edi Upper 24.2 on the 8th 23.8 on the 15th in 2004 21 14.0



Summaries

This table is very wide and may not fit if printed.

Summary statistics for 1 February to 28 February 2009
Maximum temperatures
for 1 February to 28 February
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
for 1 February to 28 February
(°C)
Rainfall
for 1 February to 28 February
(millimetres)
Mean for
1 February to 28 February
2009
Diff
from
average
Highest for
1 February to 28 February
2009
Mean for
1 February to 28 February
2009
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
1 February to 28 February
2009
Total for
1 February to 28 February
2009
Average
for
1 February to 28 February
Rank of
1 February to 28 February
2009
Fraction of
1 February to 28 February
average
North Mallee (district 76)
Mildura Airport 33.8 +2.2 46.7 7th 17.2 +0.8 10.2 11th 0 19.6 lowest 0%
Ouyen 33.3 +1.4 46.8 7th 16.1 +0.6 9.8 11th 0.6 23.6 low 3%
Walpeup Research 33.5 +1.8 48.1 7th 15.7 +0.2 7.8 11th 0.4 22.4 low 2%
South Mallee (district 77)
Hopetoun Airport 33.4   48.8 7th 14.7   8.0 24th 0
Swan Hill Aerodrome 33.5 +1.0 46.9 7th 16.1 +0.1 9.6 25th 0 23.0 very low 0%
North Wimmera (district 78)
Nhill Aerodrome 32.2   47.1 7th 13.7   4.5 25th 0.6
Warracknabeal Museum 32.3 +1.7 46.8 7th 14.3 +0.4 7.2 25th 0.2 20.8 very low 1%
South Wimmera (district 79)
Edenhope Airport 30.5   44.9 7th 13.2   4.9 25th 1.0
Grampians 21.6   36.6 7th 10.1   2.3 11th 2.8
Horsham Aerodrome 31.9 +1.5 47.4 7th 12.4 +0.2 2.5 25th 0 16.7 very low 0%
Horsham Polkemmet Rd 31.9 +2.3 47.6 7th 13.0 0.0 4.1 25th 0.2 24.0 very low 1%
Kanagulk 30.3   45.5 7th 13.2   7.1 25th 0.6
Longerenong 31.7 +2.0 47.6 7th 13.6 +0.2 4.6 25th 1.2 24.5 low 5%
Pyrenees 24.9   40.5 7th 12.5   4.8 10th 4.0
Stawell Aerodrome 30.2 +1.5 45.4 7th 13.9 +0.5 9.0 13th 1.6
Lower North (district 80)
Charlton 32.6   46.6 7th 15.2   9.3 11th 0
Echuca Aerodrome 32.9 +2.3 46.8 7th 15.6 +0.8 9.7 25th 0 26.4 lowest 0%
Kerang 33.2 +1.8 46.9 7th 15.9 +0.4 8.8 25th 0.6 23.5 low 3%
Kyabram DPI 31.9 +2.0 46.6 7th 15.4 +0.7 10.3 25th 0 25.6 lowest 0%
Upper North (district 81)
Bendigo Airport 31.2 +1.8 45.4 7th 14.7 +0.6 10.3 13th 0.4 26.3 very low 2%
Shepparton Airport 32.4 +1.3 46.1 7th 15.1 +0.1 7.4 13th 3.8 34.3 low 11%
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag 31.3 +1.9 44.8 7th 14.5 +0.2 8.2 13th 0.8 31.5 very low 3%
Yarrawonga 33.6 +1.8 46.0 7th 16.6 +0.9 9.1 25th 5.0 36.0 low 14%
Lower Northeast (district 82)
Beechworth Woolshed 32.5 +2.5 44.3 7th 13.2 +0.3 3.9 25th 11.4 37.8 low 30%
Benalla Airport 32.6   45.7 7th 15.1   8.7 23rd 6.2
Corryong Airport 33.1   43.6 7th 13.3   5.3 25th 1.7
Dartmouth Reservoir 30.9 +1.8 41.8 7th 14.5 +0.9 9.6 17th 2.0 50.0 very low 4%
Hunters Hill 27.4 +2.4 36.9 7th 15.0 +0.9 7.7 11th 2.2
Rutherglen Research 33.0 +2.2 44.9 7th 14.8 +0.9 6.0 25th 13.8 35.0 average 39%
Strathbogie 28.8 +1.5 42.0 7th 12.0 +0.6 5.9 14th 2.4 41.6 low 6%
Wangaratta Aero 33.2 +2.3 45.8 7th 14.0 +0.4 5.8 25th 17.6 39.0 average 45%
Upper Northeast (district 83)
Dinner Plain 21.9   34.6 7th 7.7   −0.6 14th 21.4
Edi Upper     43.8 7th 15.1 +1.2 8.0 25th 3.0 47.7 very low 6%
Falls Creek 18.2 +0.6 28.6 7th 8.0 −0.9 0.5 13th 21.2
Mount Buller 19.1 +2.3 30.7 7th 10.0 +1.3 −1.2 11th 7.2 64.8 very low 11%
Mount Hotham 16.7 +0.5 28.1 7th 7.6 −0.7 −0.9 11th 16.8 75.1 very low 22%
Omeo 26.1   40.4 7th 10.6   1.8 25th 11.8
Omeo Comparison 25.7 +0.4 40.0 7th 10.2 +0.3 2.2 25th 11.8 51.2 low 23%
East Gippsland (district 84)
Combienbar AWS 23.6 −0.9 41.0 7th 12.6 −0.5 7.0 25th 46.0 75.7 average 61%
Gabo Island Lighthouse 22.0 +0.3 29.7 7th 16.8 +0.3 12.6 13th 42.4 64.8 average 65%
Gelantipy 22.9 0.0 39.2 7th 11.0 −0.7 4.0 25th 18.2 59.8 low 30%
Lakes Entrance 23.2   46.4 7th 14.6   9.1 13th 57.2
Mallacoota 23.3 −0.3 39.7 7th 15.5 −0.1 10.3 25th 46.0 56.0 average 82%
Mount Nowa Nowa 23.6 −0.8 43.3 7th 13.6   9.2 11th 41.4
Orbost 25.3   45.7 7th 13.8   8.9 13th 22.4
Orbost 25.4 −0.3 44.6 7th 13.4 −0.3 8.2 13th 20.8 58.5 low 36%
Point Hicks 22.6 −1.1 40.4 7th 16.0 0.0 11.7 13th 70.7 55.1 high 128%
West Gippsland (district 85)
Bairnsdale Airport 24.9 −0.4 46.2 7th 13.0 +0.4 8.0 13th 44.2 44.0 average 100%
East Sale Airport 25.0 −0.2 44.4 7th 13.5 +0.3 7.9 11th 29.0 41.1 average 71%
Morwell 26.5 −0.2 46.3 7th 13.9 +1.1 5.2 10th 11.0 39.9 very low 28%
Mount Baw Baw 17.2   31.3 7th 8.0   0.0 10th 37.2
Mount Moornapa 23.8 −1.2 43.2 7th 12.7 −0.5 8.4 11th 28.2
Noojee 26.0 +0.8 43.2 7th 11.4 +0.5 4.6 13th 6.0 55.2 lowest 11%
Pound Creek 25.8   46.1 7th 12.9   3.5 12th 5.2
Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse 20.6 −0.1 42.0 7th 15.9 +0.8 13.1 10th 9.0 45.5 very low 20%
Yarram Airport 24.5   46.0 7th 13.7   7.2 10th 21.0
East Central (district 86)
Bundoora 27.7 +1.0 46.5 7th 14.6 +0.6 8.2 13th 5.4 40.4 low 13%
Cerberus 25.7 +0.8 45.8 7th 15.3 +0.9 10.5 18th 4.6 38.7 very low 12%
Coldstream 28.7 +1.2 44.8 7th 11.8 +0.3 6.6 26th 3.4 55.4 very low 6%
Cranbourne Botanic Gardens 26.3 +0.9 46.0 7th 13.9 0.0 8.0 14th 10.2 52.0 low 20%
Essendon Airport 27.8 +2.3 47.3 7th 14.8 +1.1 8.3 13th 3.2 46.7 very low 7%
Ferny Creek 23.8 +1.3 41.8 7th 12.3 −0.3 7.4 10th 3.2 65.9 very low 5%
Frankston AWS 25.5 +0.7 35.9 7th 16.2 +0.2 12.7 10th
Melbourne Airport 27.9 +1.4 46.8 7th 14.3 +0.2 6.9 13th 5.2 42.1 very low 12%
Melbourne Regional Office 28.1 +2.3 46.4 7th 16.5 +1.9 12.8 13th 3.0 47.1 very low 6%
Moorabbin Airport 27.3 +1.3 46.7 7th 15.0 +0.8 10.2 14th 1.6 43.5 very low 4%
Rhyll 25.1 +1.3 42.1 7th 16.4 +0.6 13.6 11th 3.6 41.5 very low 9%
Scoresby Research Institute 28.0 +1.3 46.1 7th 13.9 −0.1 9.4 14th 6.0 50.5 very low 12%
Viewbank 28.4 +1.1 46.7 7th 14.6 +0.1 8.9 13th 3.6
Wallan 26.0 +1.6 42.7 7th 12.4 +0.1 7.4 13th 4.8
Wonthaggi 25.4 +0.8 45.0 7th 14.1 +0.9 8.7 12th 9.8 45.2 low 22%
West Central (district 87)
Avalon Airport 27.1 +0.8 47.9 7th 14.9 +0.6 9.0 24th 2.6 28.8 low 9%
Grovedale 25.5 +0.7 47.4 7th 13.9 +0.4 9.5 10th 2.2 27.8 very low 8%
Laverton RAAF 27.1 +1.6 47.5 7th 14.9 +0.7 8.2 13th 1.8 45.9 very low 4%
Sheoaks 26.7 +1.5 45.2 7th 12.7 0.0 5.5 24th 3.6 42.4 very low 8%
North Central (district 88)
Castlemaine Prison 29.0 +0.9 43.9 7th 13.5 +0.4 6.1 10th 3.6 32.9 low 11%
Eildon Fire Tower 28.0 +1.1 41.7 7th 14.0 +0.6 6.7 11th 3.2 35.4 very low 9%
Lake Eildon 30.7 +1.7 45.4 7th 13.8 +1.1 7.6 25th 2.0 40.7 low 5%
Mangalore Airport 31.0 +1.4 46.1 7th 14.9 +0.4 9.8 13th 1.6 32.9 very low 5%
Maryborough 30.3 +1.5 45.4 7th 13.6 +0.2 8.1 13th 4.5 31.8 low 14%
Redesdale 30.1 +1.2 45.0 7th 13.9 +0.9 7.9 13th 0.8 35.9 low 2%
Western Plains (district 89)
Ararat Prison 28.7 +1.7 44.7 7th 12.1 +0.9 6.5 10th 1.8 32.3 very low 6%
Ballarat Aerodrome 27.3 +2.0 44.1 7th 11.9 +0.4 5.6 10th 2.2 43.1 very low 5%
Westmere 28.4   45.5 7th 11.5   5.3 13th 0
West Coast (district 90)
Aireys Inlet 23.4 +0.8 45.3 7th 14.9 +0.6 10.9 11th 3.6 38.2 very low 9%
Cape Nelson Lighthouse 21.1 +0.1 32.5 7th 15.2 +0.2 12.6 11th 0
Cape Otway Lighthouse 21.1 +0.2 39.4 7th 15.0 +1.1 11.0 6th 1.6 40.0 very low 4%
Casterton 28.7   42.9 7th 12.4   3.5 25th 0
Casterton Showgrounds 29.0 +1.7 42.9 7th 12.6 +0.6 4.8 25th 2.0 23.3 very low 9%
Colac 25.9   45.4 7th 13.0   8.4 10th 1.0
Hamilton Airport 28.5 +1.8 44.5 7th 11.6 +0.7 5.2 25th 0.4 24.2 lowest 2%
Mortlake Racecourse 27.4 +1.6 46.0 7th 11.5 0.0 4.0 24th 0.8
Port Fairy AWS 23.0 +0.4 41.6 7th 15.0 +0.4 9.8 23rd 1.6 29.4 very low 5%
Portland 22.7 +0.2 33.8 7th 13.1 +0.5 6.1 6th 3.0 26.1 very low 11%
Warrnambool Airport NDB 25.8 +1.1 44.8 7th 12.3 +0.1 6.3 13th 1.6
Weeaproinah 21.3 +0.9 39.0 7th 11.6 +0.3 6.6 10th 16.2 84.9 very low 19%

Notes

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 10 am on Monday 2 March 2009. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

Averages are long-term means based on observations from all available years of record, which vary widely from site to site. They are not shown for sites with less than 10 years of record, as they cannot then be calculated reliably.
The median is sometimes more representative than the mean of long-term average rain.

The Rank indicates how rainfall this time compares with the climate record for the site, based on the decile ranking (very low rainfall is in decile 1, low in decile 2 or 3, average in decile 4 to 7, high in decile 8 or 9 and very high is in decile 10).
The Fraction of average shows how much rain has fallen this time as a percentage of the long-term mean.

Further information

Dr Harvey Stern
Climate Meteorologist
Victoria Climate Services Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
Phone (03) 9669 4956
Email climate.vic@bom.gov.au