Victoria in December 2018: warm and wet

Victoria in December was wetter than average, largely due to the record rainfall in the middle of the month. Both daytime and night time temperatures were warmer than average, with overnight temperatures the highest on record for December.

Very wet in the northwest

  • Statewide, December rainfall was 44% above the long-term December average of 47.5 mm
  • Most of the northern and western Victoria, as well as the far-east were wetter than average; parts of the West Gippsland district, however, were drier than average
  • A slow-moving low pressure trough which brought moisture from the tropics, and a low pressure system with the associated cold front, resulted in widespread rainfall on the 13th and 14th with daily rainfall totals exceeding 50 mm at many sites in the north of Victoria
  • The highest daily rainfall in December, 134.0 mm, was recorded at Bloomfield Park on the 13th
  • Many sites had their highest December daily rainfall on record on the 13th and 14th, including Eldorado where rainfall observations started in 1890
  • Many sites also had their highest total December rainfall on record or highest total December rainfall since at least 1995, including Eldorado, Berriwillock, Birchip (Marlbed) and Woomelang, which all have more than 100 years of observations
  • Eldorado was also the wettest place in Victoria in December, recording 215.4 mm during the month, which is more than four-times its December average

Warmest December on record

  • The Victorian mean temperature was 3.06 °C warmer than the December average, the warmest December on record
  • Mean maximum temperature was 2.89 °C above the long-term December average, and the third-warmest on record
  • Whole of Victoria had mean daytime temperatures very much above average for the month, and in most of the East Gippsland district December daytime temperatures were highest on record
  • Kyabram, Yarrawonga and Shepparton Airport had their highest December temperature on record on the 27th
  • Many sites had their highest December mean daily maximum temperature on record
  • The highest daytime temperature in Victoria in December, 44.2 °C, was recorded at Walpeup (in the northwest of the State) on the 28th, in a hot northerly airflow
  • Statewide, the mean minimum temperature was 3.23 °C above the long-term December average, the highest on record
  • Most of the north and east of Victoria had mean minimum temperatures more than 3 °C above average
  • Some sites had their warmest December night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record
  • Many sites saw their highest December mean daily minimum temperature on record. This includes Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse which had the warmest December on record for overnight temperatures in its 140 years of measurements
  • The highest night time temperature in Victoria in December was 28.3 °C, recorded at Rutherglen on the 29th

Storms and flash floods

  • Strong winds, heavy rain, and severe thunderstorms affected Victoria on the 13th and 14th
  • About a month's worth of rain fell over northeastern Victoria, with flash flooding stranding hundreds of motorists on the Hume Highway between Wangaratta and Wodonga
  • On the 14th, 41.2 mm fell in Melbourne, most of it in a 20-minute period after 5 pm. The State Emergency Service was called to rescue 25 people whose vehicles became trapped in flood waters

Further information

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Extremes in December 2018
Hottest day 44.2 °C at Walpeup Research on the 28th
Warmest days on average 33.2 °C at Mildura Airport
Coolest days on average 17.0 °C at Mount Buller
Coldest day 4.6 °C at Mount Baw Baw on the 2nd
Coldest night 0.1 °C at Falls Creek on the 3rd
Coolest nights on average 8.8 °C at Mount Buller
Warmest nights on average 18.2 °C at Mildura Airport
Warmest night 28.3 °C at Rutherglen Research on the 29th
Warmest on average overall 25.7 °C at Mildura Airport
Coolest on average overall 12.9 °C at Mount Buller
Wettest overall 215.4 mm at Eldorado
Wettest day 134.0 mm at Bloomfield Park (Everton) on the 13th
Strongest wind gust 115 km/h at Mount Hotham on the 2nd
115 km/h at Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse on the 3rd

Maps
ObservedAnomalyDecile rank
Total
rainfall
Map of Rainfall totals Map of Percentage of normal rainfall Map of Rainfall deciles
Mean
daily
maximum
temperatures
Map of Mean maximum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean maximum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean maximum temperature
Mean
daily
minimum
temperatures
Map of Mean minimum temperature Map of Anomaly in mean minimum temperature Map of Decile rank of mean minimum temperature

Click on a map to show it full size in a pop-up window


Record highest December daily rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Eldorado 110.4 on the 13th 101.9 on the 29th in 1893 128
Ninyeunook 63.0 on the 14th 57.4 on the 12th in 1963 125
Quambatook South 73.0 on the 14th 57.4 on the 4th in 1916 123
Birchip (Woodlands) 130.2 on the 14th 119.4 on the 14th in 1961 122
Tangambalanga NE Dairy 70.0 on the 14th 68.3 on the 24th in 1919 117
Beazleys Bridge 48.6 on the 14th 43.6 on the 31st in 2002 104
Charlton (Donald St) 93.0 on the 14th 32.0 on the 22nd in 2007 59
Donald 63.0 on the 14th 47.6 on the 22nd in 2007 53
Birchip Cropping Group 127.2 on the 14th 32.0 on the 31st in 2002 44
Hopetoun (Wirrbibial Downs) 75.4 on the 14th 31.6 on the 31st in 2002 21



Record highest December total rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Eldorado 215.4 185.3 in 1933 128 51.2
Berriwillock 135.2 99.8 in 2010 116 23.6
Birchip (Marlbed) 129.5 129.4 in 1930 114 24.6
Woomelang 177.4 119.6 in 2010 111 24.6
Charlton (Donald St) 137.2 101.6 in 1992 59 29.4
Mallacoota 170.2 155.0 in 2004 44 72.5
Birchip Cropping Group 190.0 67.4 in 1992 40 22.7
Rhyll 82.4 79.2 in 2008 25 46.7
Hopetoun (Wirrbibial Downs) 139.8 135.4 in 2010 21 33.8

Highest December total rainfall for at least 20 years
Observed
(mm)
Most recent
higher
Average for
December
Birchip (Woodlands) 199.2 222.0 in 1930* 25.3
Ninyeunook 125.4 174.4 in 1930* 23.7
Beulah 126.7 261.4 in 1930* 25.9
Quambatook South 146.2 181.8 in 1930* 25.8
Korong Vale (Burnbank) 85.4 86.0 in 1966* 25.5
Cerberus 98.4 103.6 in 1988* 55.1
Gabo Island Lighthouse 133.0 138.0 in 1992 67.1
Inglewood (Post Office) 100.6 135.4 in 1992 30.7
Wedderburn (Post Office) 86.0 111.4 in 1992 30.4
Canary Island 70.6 96.8 in 1992* 25.8
Laverton RAAF 100.6 101.2 in 1993 46.8
Ultima (Post Office) 78.2 120.3 in 1992* 24.2
Combienbar AWS 128.4 149.6 in 1995* 69.3
Wycheproof 98.2 99.8 in 1992* 25.4

* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported




Record highest December temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Kyabram 43.3 on the 27th = 43.3 on the 31st in 2005 52 28.3
Yarrawonga 43.2 on the 27th = 43.2 on the 31st in 2005 26 30.1
Shepparton Airport 43.2 on the 27th 42.8 on the 31st in 2005 23 29.0



Record highest December mean daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Rutherglen Research 32.7 32.3 in 1994 105 29.2
Point Hicks (Lighthouse) 25.2 24.8 in 2015 50 22.2
Bairnsdale Airport 26.3 26.2 in 2015 37 23.7
Mallacoota 24.5 23.9 in 2015 25 22.2
Mount Moornapa 26.5 = 26.5 in 2015 25 23.1
Yarrawonga 32.8 32.5 in 2015 25 30.1
Combienbar AWS 26.0 25.9 in 2003 24 23.1
Mount Nowa Nowa 26.7 25.6 in 2003 23 22.6
Shepparton Airport 31.8 = 31.8 in 2015 22 29.0

Highest December mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
December
Dartmouth Reservoir 29.1 29.4 in 1994 26.9
Wangaratta Aero 31.7 32.5 in 1994 29.2
Falls Creek 17.3 17.9 in 1994* 15.1

* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported




Record highest December daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
East Sale 22.6 on the 8th 21.4 on the 22nd in 2000 74 11.4
Bairnsdale Airport 21.9 on the 8th 21.4 on the 14th in 2017 38 11.3
Edi Upper 24.0 on the 29th 23.5 on the 21st in 1994 33 11.5
Falls Creek 18.0 on the 28th 17.7 on the 31st in 2005 28 6.3
Sheoaks 26.5 on the 7th 25.8 on the 22nd in 1996 28 10.4
Mount Moornapa 23.9 on the 8th = 23.9 on the 29th in 2016 26 11.4
Yarrawonga 27.0 on the 29th 25.6 on the 7th in 1994 26 13.3
Mount Nowa Nowa 25.3 on the 8th 24.3 on the 20th in 2015 24 12.2
Shepparton Airport 27.0 on the 28th 26.7 on the 24th in 2009 23 12.8



Record highest December mean daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse 15.4 15.1 in 2017 140 12.7
Maryborough 14.0 13.8 in 1914 111 11.4
Kerang 16.8 16.2 in 2015 110 13.5
Ouyen (Post Office) 17.1 16.7 in 2015 81 13.7
Laverton RAAF 15.0 14.1 in 2017 75 12.0
East Sale 14.4 13.7 in 1992 73 11.4
Mildura Airport 18.2 17.8 in 1965 72 14.9
Scoresby Research Institute 14.3 13.8 in 2003 59 11.9
Mangalore Airport 14.9 14.5 in 2007 57 11.9
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag 15.4 14.7 in 2015 53 12.3
Kyabram 15.6 15.3 in 2015 51 12.6
Castlemaine Prison 13.9 13.8 in 2016 50 11.0
Point Hicks (Lighthouse) 15.8 15.6 in 2017 49 14.2
Essendon Airport 14.9 14.2 in 1965 48 11.9
Melbourne Airport 14.3 13.8 in 1994 48 12.1
Moorabbin Airport 15.4 14.6 in 2017 47 12.7
Warracknabeal Museum 14.7 14.3 in 1992 46 12.2
Strathbogie 12.1 12.0 in 1992 38 9.5
Bairnsdale Airport 14.2 13.3 in 1988 37 11.3
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) 13.7 12.9 in 2017 33 11.3
Wangaratta Aero 14.6 14.4 in 1992 31 11.7
Aireys Inlet 14.0 13.5 in 2017 27 12.3
Falls Creek 9.2 8.6 in 1994 27 6.3
Rhyll 15.4 15.3 in 2017 27 13.8
Sheoaks 13.1 12.2 in 1992 27 10.4
Cranbourne Botanic Gardens 13.7 13.5 in 1992 26 11.8
Mallacoota 16.2 15.6 in 2017 25 13.7
Mount Moornapa 14.1 13.0 in 2017 25 11.4
Redesdale 13.1 12.7 in 2015 25 10.2
Wallan (Kilmore Gap) 12.7 12.5 in 2015 25 10.3
Yarrawonga 16.7 15.6 in 2007 25 13.3
Coldstream 13.0 12.0 in 2017 24 9.8
Combienbar AWS 14.2 13.4 in 1994 24 11.4
Avalon Airport 14.3 13.2 in 2017 23 11.8
Mount Nowa Nowa 15.0 14.0 in 2017 23 12.2
Eildon Fire Tower 13.9 13.6 in 2015 22 11.3
Shepparton Airport 16.1 15.2 in 2015 22 12.8
Stawell Aerodrome 13.3 13.2 in 2015 22 11.4
Swan Hill Aerodrome 16.6 16.0 in 2015 22 13.7
Horsham Aerodrome 13.2 = 13.2 in 2015 21 10.5
Warrnambool Airport NDB 11.8 11.3 in 2017 20 10.2

Highest December mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
December
Echuca Aerodrome 16.0 16.8 in 1914 13.5
Rutherglen Research 15.6 15.9 in 1914* 11.5
Longerenong 14.0 14.8 in 1897* 11.2
Ballarat Aerodrome 11.9 12.1 in 1975 9.4
Dartmouth Reservoir 14.3 14.6 in 1975* 11.8
Cerberus 13.9 14.0 in 1992 11.9
Gelantipy 11.9 12.0 in 1992 9.6
Hamilton Airport 11.5 12.0 in 1992 9.5
Mortlake Racecourse 11.6 12.1 in 1992 9.2
Mount Buller 8.8 11.2 in 1994* 6.3

* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported




Record highest December mean temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
December
Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse 18.4 18.0 in 2005 140 15.8
Kerang 24.8 = 24.8 in 2015 109 21.6
Rutherglen Research 24.2 23.3 in 1919 105 20.3
East Sale 20.5 19.5 in 2015 73 17.4
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag 23.0 22.9 in 2015 53 20.0
Point Hicks (Lighthouse) 20.6 19.9 in 2017 49 18.2
Dartmouth Reservoir 21.7 21.4 in 1975 38 19.3
Bairnsdale Airport 20.3 19.1 in 2015 37 17.5
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) 20.7 20.5 in 2015 33 17.8
Wangaratta Aero 23.2 = 23.2 in 1994 31 20.5
Cerberus 19.3 = 19.3 in 2015 27 17.2
Falls Creek 13.3 = 13.3 in 1994 27 10.7
Sheoaks 19.8 19.5 in 2015 27 17.1
Gelantipy 17.9 17.2 in 2003 26 15.5
Mallacoota 20.3 19.6 in 2017 25 17.9
Mount Moornapa 20.3 19.8 in 2015 25 17.2
Yarrawonga 24.7 23.7 in 2015 25 21.7
Coldstream 20.0 19.9 in 2015 24 17.5
Combienbar AWS 20.2 19.5 in 2003 24 17.3
Mount Nowa Nowa 20.8 19.7 in 2015 23 17.4
Shepparton Airport 23.9 23.5 in 2015 22 20.9

Highest December mean temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
December
Mount Buller 12.9 15.4 in 1994* 10.5

* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported




Summary statistics for December 2018
Maximum temperatures
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
(°C)
Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
December
2018
Diff
from
average
Highest for
December
2018
Mean for
December
2018
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
December
2018
Total for
December
2018
Average
for
December
Rank of
December
2018
Fraction of
December
average
North Mallee (district 76)
Mildura Airport 33.2 +2.9 43.8 27th 18.2 +3.3 9.9 3rd 44.6 25.5 high 175%
Ouyen (Post Office) 32.8 +2.5 44.1 28th 17.1 +3.4 10.0 3rd 55.3 25.7 high 215%
Walpeup Research 32.8 +2.9 44.2 28th 16.8 +3.2 8.8 3rd 65.0 24.6 v high 264%
South Mallee (district 77)
Hopetoun Airport 32.0 +1.5 43.5 28th 15.8 +2.8 7.8 3rd 130.4 33.1 v high 394%
Swan Hill Aerodrome 32.8 +2.2 43.6 27th 16.6 +2.9 8.1 1st 42.4 22.9 high 185%
North Wimmera (district 78)
Kellalac (Warracknabeal Airport) 31.2   42.6 27th 14.2   8.1 1st 104.2
Nhill Aerodrome 30.2 +1.3 41.7 27th 13.9 +1.7 8.0 23rd 65.2 29.7 high 220%
Warracknabeal Museum 30.8 +2.0 42.0 27th 14.7 +2.5 9.0 1st 106.0 28.5 v high 372%
South Wimmera (district 79)
Edenhope Airport 28.5 +1.7 40.6 27th 13.0 +2.0 7.1 23rd 76.0 41.9 high 181%
Grampians (Mount William) 20.3 +2.0 31.9 27th 10.7 +3.0 2.7 2nd 82.2 66.1 average 124%
Horsham Aerodrome 30.5 +1.9 42.5 27th 13.2 +2.7 6.8 1st 29.6 25.6 average 116%
Kanagulk 28.7 +1.5 41.0 27th 12.1 +1.4 5.9 1st 55.8 42.2 high 132%
Longerenong 31.8 +4.0 42.9 27th 14.0 +2.8 8.6 1st 27.6
Pyrenees (Ben Nevis) 24.1 +1.8 35.5 27th 12.4 +2.2 5.3 2nd 81.8 48.3 high 169%
Stawell Aerodrome 28.5 +1.9 40.6 27th 13.3 +1.9 6.4 1st 66.0 36.3 high 182%
Lower North (district 80)
Charlton 31.6 +1.8 42.7 27th 15.3 +2.3 7.3 1st 105.0 35.8 v high 293%
Echuca Aerodrome 32.3 +3.3 43.6 27th 16.0 +2.5 9.0 1st 49.8 30.1 high 165%
Kerang 32.9 +3.1 44.0 27th 16.8 +3.3 10.6 3rd 43.8 27.4 high 160%
Kyabram 32.1 +3.8 43.3 27th 15.6 +3.0 7.6 1st 37.6 33.9 average 111%
Upper North (district 81)
Shepparton Airport 31.8 +2.8 43.2 27th 16.1 +3.3 8.6 1st 36.6 34.3 average 107%
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag 30.7 +3.1 42.0 27th 15.4 +3.1 7.0 1st 52.0 35.5 high 146%
Yarrawonga 32.8 +2.7 43.2 27th 16.7 +3.4 9.7 1st 92.0 42.8 high 215%
Lower Northeast (district 82)
Benalla Airport 31.7 +2.7 41.3 27th 15.8 +2.6 5.9 3rd 80.7 56.8 average 142%
Corryong Airport 31.4 +2.4 38.5 27th 13.9 +2.3 7.0 1st 73.6 68.4 average 108%
Dartmouth Reservoir 29.1 +2.2 38.0 27th 14.3 +2.5 4.9 3rd 69.8 74.5 average 94%
Rutherglen Research 32.7 +3.5 42.8 27th 15.6 +4.1 5.6 3rd 63.0 44.5 high 142%
Strathbogie 27.4 +2.7 37.8 27th 12.1 +2.6 3.5 1st 77.6 58.3 high 133%
Wangaratta Aero 31.7 +2.5 41.2 27th 14.6 +2.9 5.9 3rd 100.4 47.1 v high 213%
Upper Northeast (district 83)
Falls Creek 17.3 +2.2 24.7 27th 9.2 +2.9 0.1 3rd 74.0 110.4 average 67%
Mount Buller 17.0 +2.3 25.7 27th 8.8 +2.5 0.1 3rd 126.2 102.5 average 123%
Omeo 26.7 +2.5 35.1 27th 12.1 +3.1 4.9 3rd 75.2 66.8 average 113%
East Gippsland (district 84)
Combienbar AWS 26.0 +2.9 36.5 27th 14.2 +2.8 7.9 3rd 128.4 69.3 v high 185%
Gabo Island Lighthouse 22.0 +2.1 28.8 28th     10.8 3rd 133.0 67.1 v high 198%
Gelantipy 23.9 +2.5 32.5 27th 11.9 +2.3 4.5 3rd 99.2 69.2 high 143%
Lakes Entrance (Eastern Beach Road) 25.2 +2.3 39.6 28th 15.3 +2.1 9.7 11th 47.0 67.1 average 70%
Mallacoota 24.5 +2.3 31.5 29th 16.2 +2.5 9.3 3rd 170.2 72.5 highest 235%
Mount Nowa Nowa 26.7 +4.1 37.8 28th 15.0 +2.8 9.3 3rd 44.4 82.6 v low 54%
Orbost 26.8 +2.7 38.6 28th 15.7 +2.8 8.8 3rd
Point Hicks (Lighthouse) 25.2 +3.0 34.3 29th 15.8 +1.6 11.1 5th 94.2 73.1 high 129%
West Gippsland (district 85)
Bairnsdale Airport 26.3 +2.6 40.0 28th 14.2 +2.9 7.6 5th 42.2 61.0 low 69%
Corner Inlet (Yanakie) 23.0   37.4 28th 13.8   7.0 1st 50.2
East Sale 26.6 +3.1 39.4 28th 14.4 +3.0 8.5 23rd 23.6 54.6 low 43%
East Sale Airport 27.1   41.2 28th 14.5   8.9 23rd 25.0
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) 27.7 +3.3 40.6 27th 13.7 +2.4 4.9 1st 46.4 68.1 low 68%
Mount Baw Baw 17.5 +3.0 27.3 27th 9.0 +3.2 0.9 3rd 94.2 143.3 low 66%
Mount Moornapa 26.5 +3.4 38.5 28th 14.1 +2.7 8.9 23rd 91.8 65.2 high 141%
Nilma North (Warragul) 26.0   38.1 27th 13.6   5.6 1st 51.6
Pound Creek 23.9 +1.1 35.3 28th 13.4 +2.0 5.9 11th 49.2 61.6 average 80%
Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse 21.4 +2.6 36.1 7th 15.4 +2.7 12.2 2nd 78.6 64.4 average 122%
Yarram Airport 24.6 +1.0 40.0 28th 13.4 +2.0 5.1 5th 51.2 59.7 average 86%
East Central (district 86)
Cerberus 24.6 +2.2 37.5 7th 13.9 +2.0 7.6 1st 98.4 55.1 v high 179%
Coldstream 26.9 +1.6 39.3 27th 13.0 +3.2 5.0 1st 101.0 61.6 high 164%
Cranbourne Botanic Gardens 25.5 +1.9 36.5 28th 13.7 +1.9 8.2 1st 93.8 68.8 high 136%
Essendon Airport 26.2 +1.6 40.3 27th 14.9 +3.0 9.0 1st 69.8 52.6 high 133%
Ferny Creek 23.0   34.7 27th 12.9   7.1 3rd 87.4
Melbourne (Olympic Park) 25.7   38.0 7th 16.0   10.3 1st 104.8
Melbourne Airport 26.1 +1.5 39.8 27th 14.3 +2.2 8.2 1st 114.4 51.8 v high 221%
Moorabbin Airport 26.0 +2.0 38.5 7th 15.4 +2.7 9.5 1st 98.2 61.0 high 161%
Rhyll     34.2 28th 15.4 +1.6 11.8 2nd 82.4 46.7 highest 176%
Scoresby Research Institute 26.4 +2.3 39.8 27th 14.3 +2.4 7.1 1st 69.4 76.4 average 91%
Viewbank 26.9 +1.1 40.8 27th 14.7 +2.0 7.7 1st 104.4 72.3 high 144%
West Central (district 87)
Avalon Airport 26.6 +2.2 41.0 7th 14.3 +2.5 8.8 23rd 31.6 29.8 average 106%
Breakwater (Geelong Racecourse) 25.3   40.4 7th 14.3   8.8 23rd 61.0
Laverton RAAF 25.6 +1.7 39.2 7th 15.0 +3.0 8.2 1st 100.6 46.8 v high 215%
Sheoaks 26.6 +2.9 40.5 27th 13.1 +2.7 5.9 23rd 37.6 31.2 average 121%
North Central (district 88)
Castlemaine Prison 28.6 +3.1 40.0 27th 13.9 +2.9 7.0 3rd 60.9 41.0 high 149%
Eildon Fire Tower 26.1 +2.2 36.3 27th 13.9 +2.6 7.7 23rd 109.4 52.3 high 209%
Lake Eildon 29.3 +2.9 40.0 27th     5.5 21st 79.6 57.3 high 139%
Mangalore Airport 29.9 +2.8 41.7 27th 14.9 +3.0 6.4 3rd 60.0 41.4 high 145%
Maryborough 29.5 +2.8 40.8 27th 14.0 +2.6 7.1 1st 54.6 37.3 high 146%
Puckapunyal Lyon Hill (Defence) 29.5   42.0 27th 15.5   8.4 3rd 64.2
Puckapunyal West (Defence) 28.6   40.5 27th 14.7   8.0 1st 62.0
Redesdale 30.4 +3.5 41.9 27th 13.1 +2.9 4.4 1st 54.4 37.7 high 144%
Wallan (Kilmore Gap) 24.6 +2.3 37.8 27th 12.7 +2.4 7.3 3rd 83.4 48.6 high 172%
Western Plains (district 89)
Ararat Prison 28.0 +3.3 39.2 27th 9.5 +0.1 6.1 1st 65.8 38.4 high 171%
Ballarat Aerodrome 25.9 +3.2 37.0 27th 11.9 +2.5 2.9 1st 103.6 50.5 v high 205%
Westmere 28.2 +2.4 40.8 27th 11.3 +2.0 3.7 23rd 51.2 44.3 high 116%
West Coast (district 90)
Aireys Inlet 23.8 +2.5 40.8 7th 14.0 +1.7 9.3 23rd 58.8 40.1 high 147%
Cape Nelson Lighthouse 21.9 +2.1 36.8 6th 14.0 +0.9 9.6 23rd 15.8 39.8 v low 40%
Cape Otway Lighthouse 21.1 +1.2 38.4 7th 14.0 +1.9 10.6 23rd 45.0 52.6 average 86%
Casterton 26.8 +1.6 38.1 27th 11.6 +1.5 4.8 23rd 30.2 40.3 average 75%
Colac (Mount Gellibrand) 26.0 +2.6 39.3 27th 12.9 +2.1 8.6 1st 51.8 36.6 high 142%
Dartmoor 25.6   37.3 27th 11.8   5.8 23rd 76.0 45.3 high 168%
Hamilton Airport 26.7 +2.6 39.1 7th 11.5 +2.0 5.5 23rd 70.0 44.2 high 158%
Mortlake Racecourse 26.5 +3.0 39.6 7th 11.6 +2.4 3.6 23rd 39.0 41.1 average 95%
Port Fairy AWS 22.4 +1.1 36.9 6th 13.7 +1.2 7.8 23rd 57.0 41.0 high 139%
Portland (Cashmore Airport) 22.1 +1.8 34.2 6th 12.2 +1.3 6.9 11th 64.6 50.3 high 128%
Warrnambool Airport NDB 23.6 +0.9 39.2 7th 11.8 +1.6 6.1 11th 53.4 47.3 high 113%

Notes

The Monthly climate summary, generally published on the first working day of each month, lists the main features of the weather in Victoria using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated. More extensive discussion of significant weather events, along with later information and data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 4 pm on Friday 4 January 2019. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.

In some situations, some or all of the rainfall is in the form of hail or snow. In these cases the totals given are for the water equivalent: the depth of liquid water that results from melting any frozen precipitation. There can be significant 'undercatch' of snow in strong winds, meaning the true precipitation can be higher than that reported.

Averages for individual sites 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.

Where temperature area averages are mentioned, they are derived from the ACORN-SAT dataset.

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