Monday, 2 March 2020 - Monthly Climate Summary for Victoria - Product code IDCKGC16R0
Victoria in February 2020: wetter and cooler than average
February was a wet month when averaged across Victoria as a whole, the wettest February since 2012. Daytime temperatures were cooler than average, while night-time temperatures were warmer than average.
A wet month for Victoria
- Statewide, rainfall was 65% above the long-term February average, the wettest February since 2012
- Most of the western and southern Victoria experienced a wetter than average February
- Large areas in the southeast and west of the State received more than double of their average February rainfall
- Cold fronts that crossed Victoria at the beginning of the month brought widespread rainfall to the State, with daily rainfall totals exceeding 30 mm at many sites
- Thunderstorms associated with low pressure troughs resulted in generally 20 mm to 40 mm daily totals to 9am on the 7th, 15th and 19th, with locally higher falls; the highest daily total of the month was 73.4 mm at Thorpdale Peak (in the Latrobe Valley) on the 15th
- Some sites had their highest total February rainfall since at least 1994
- With 281.0 mm, the wettest place in Victoria during February was Reeves Knob in West Gippsland
Below average daytime temperatures
- In February much of Victoria, except in the north and the far east, had below average daytime temperatures
- Statewide, the mean maximum temperature was 1.15 °C below the February mean, the lowest since 2011
- The coldest day saw a maximum temperature of 3.4 °C at Mount Baw Baw on the 3rd, in the wake of cold fronts that crossed the State at the beginning of the month
- Port Fairy AWS and Avalon Airport had their lowest February mean daily maximum temperature on record, while several west and central coast sites had their lowest February mean daily maximum temperature since 1996
- Night-time temperatures were above average for most of Victoria, with nights much warmer than average in the far east and along the southeastern coast
- Statewide, the mean minimum temperature was 1.27 °C above the long-term mean for February
- Some sites in the State's east had their warmest February night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record on the 1st, in a warm northwest airflow preceding the arrival of a cold front
- The warmest night-time temperature recorded in Victoria in February saw 28.9 °C at Yarrawonga, on the 1st
- Redesdale, in Central Victoria, had its lowest February temperature on record
Smoke, thunderstorms and flash flooding
- Widespread smoke haze has blanketed Melbourne on the 7th, with visibility reduced significantly at Tullamarine Airport
- Powerful storms swept through eastern Melbourne and parts of Gippsland on the 14th and again on the 18th, leading to flash flooding and fallen trees
Further information
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
- Enquiries
- helpdesk.climate@bom.gov.au
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Extremes in February 2020 | |
---|---|
Hottest day | 43.0 °C at Orbost on the 1st |
Warmest days on average | 31.7 °C at Rutherglen Research |
Coolest days on average | 14.6 °C at Mount Baw Baw |
Coldest day | 3.4 °C at Mount Baw Baw on the 3rd |
Coldest night | -3.4 °C at Mount Hotham on the 4th |
Coolest nights on average |
8.1 °C at Mount Baw Baw 8.1 °C at Mount Buller |
Warmest nights on average | 17.5 °C at Gabo Island Lighthouse |
Warmest night | 28.9 °C at Yarrawonga on the 1st |
Warmest on average overall | 24.0 °C at Mildura Airport |
Coolest on average overall | 12.1 °C at Mount Buller |
Wettest overall | 281.0 mm at Reeves Knob |
Wettest day | 73.4 mm at Thorpdale Peak on the 15th |
Strongest wind gust | 139 km/h at Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse on the 26th |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Maps | |||
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Observed | Anomaly | Decile rank | |
Total rainfall |
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Mean daily maximum temperatures |
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Mean daily minimum temperatures |
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Highest February total rainfall for at least 20 years | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Observed (mm) |
Most recent higher |
Average for February |
|||
Madalya | 229.8 | 370.2 | in 1951* | 73.3 | |
Branxholme (Bassett) | 51.0 | 82.3 | in 1973 | 27.4 | |
Bronzewing | 66.8 | 125.3 | in 1973 | 23.8 | |
Merino | 75.8 | 90.2 | in 1973 | 29.5 | |
Dargo | 116.4 | 173.4 | in 1994 | 52.6 | |
Stratford | 113.3 | 189.6 | in 1994* | 46.0 |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported
Record lowest February mean daily maximum temperature | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for February |
||
Port Fairy AWS | 20.4 | 20.5 | in 1996 | 28 | 22.8 |
Avalon Airport | 23.1 | 23.3 | in 1996 | 24 | 26.3 |
Lowest February mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent lower |
Average for February |
|||
Aireys Inlet | 21.2 | 19.5 | in 1996 | 23.2 | |
Cape Nelson Lighthouse | 19.2 | 18.7 | in 1996 | 21.3 | |
Cape Otway Lighthouse | 18.9 | 18.5 | in 1996 | 21.5 |
Record highest February daily minimum temperature | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for February |
|||
East Sale | 23.5 | on the 1st | 22.7 | on the 9th in 1997 | 75 | 13.2 |
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) | 23.2 | on the 1st | 22.4 | on the 8th in 1997 | 37 | 12.9 |
Edi Upper | 27.6 | on the 1st | 24.2 | on the 8th in 2009 | 34 | 13.9 |
Wangaratta Aero | 28.2 | on the 1st | 24.2 | on the 8th in 1997 | 33 | 13.8 |
Falls Creek | 20.6 | on the 1st | 19.3 | on the 8th in 2009 | 30 | 8.6 |
Mount Hotham | 19.6 | on the 1st | 18.8 | on the 11th in 2017 | 29 | 8.0 |
Hunters Hill | 27.0 | on the 1st | 26.3 | on the 8th in 2009 | 27 | 14.0 |
Mallacoota | 24.0 | on the 1st | 23.4 | on the 24th in 2016 | 27 | 15.7 |
Yarrawonga | 28.9 | on the 1st | 28.1 | on the 5th in 2000 | 27 | 15.7 |
Record lowest February temperature | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for February |
|||
Castlemaine Prison | 3.0 | on the 27th | = 3.0 | on the 7th in 1980 | 49 | 13.5 |
Redesdale | 2.6 | on the 27th | 3.0 | on the 21st in 2017 | 27 | 13.3 |
Lowest February mean temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent lower |
Average for February |
|||
Port Fairy AWS | 17.4 | 16.8 | in 1996 | 18.7 |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Summary statistics for February 2020 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum temperatures (°C) |
Minimum temperatures (°C) |
Rainfall (millimetres) |
||||||||||
Mean for February 2020 |
Diff from average |
Highest for February 2020 |
Mean for February 2020 |
Diff from average |
Lowest for February 2020 |
Total for February 2020 |
Average for February |
Rank of February 2020 |
Fraction of February average |
|||
North Mallee (district 76) | ||||||||||||
Mildura Airport | 31.1 | -0.7 | 38.0 | 13th | 16.8 | +0.3 | 10.7 | 27th | 11.0 | 21.5 | average | 51% |
Walpeup Research | 30.5 | -0.9 | 36.1 | 25th | 15.7 | +0.3 | 7.8 | 27th | 36.6 | 23.3 | high | 157% |
South Mallee (district 77) | ||||||||||||
Hopetoun Airport | 30.1 | -1.9 | 36.6 | 13th | 15.1 | +0.3 | 6.9 | 27th | 71.4 | 19.4 | v high | 368% |
Swan Hill Aerodrome | 31.2 | -1.2 | 38.0 | 1st | 15.8 | -0.2 | 8.3 | 27th | 25.0 | 20.6 | average | 121% |
North Wimmera (district 78) | ||||||||||||
Kellalac (Warracknabeal Airport) | 29.4 | 36.8 | 14th | 14.5 | 6.2 | 27th | 19.4 | |||||
Nhill Aerodrome | 28.1 | -2.5 | 34.9 | 13th | 14.0 | +0.5 | 6.7 | 27th | 79.4 | 15.9 | v high | 499% |
South Wimmera (district 79) | ||||||||||||
Edenhope Airport | 26.2 | -2.6 | 34.4 | 13th | 12.9 | -0.2 | 6.1 | 27th | 46.4 | 18.1 | high | 256% |
Grampians (Mount William) | 18.2 | -2.1 | 26.7 | 13th | 8.8 | -0.9 | 2.2 | 4th | 70.2 | 37.3 | high | 188% |
Horsham Aerodrome | 35.4 | 13th | 13.8 | +1.3 | 5.5 | 27th | 11.4 | 21.2 | average | 54% | ||
Kanagulk | 26.9 | -1.9 | 34.7 | 13th | 13.2 | +0.4 | 5.4 | 27th | 44.6 | 18.0 | high | 248% |
Longerenong | 28.4 | -1.6 | 36.2 | 13th | 13.9 | +0.7 | 3.8 | 27th | 53.0 | 23.4 | high | 226% |
Pyrenees (Ben Nevis) | 21.4 | -2.8 | 30.4 | 13th | 11.2 | -1.0 | 4.7 | 4th | 82.2 | 35.9 | high | 229% |
Stawell Aerodrome | 26.3 | -2.3 | 33.9 | 13th | 13.9 | +0.2 | 5.8 | 27th | 37.2 | 28.4 | average | 131% |
Lower North (district 80) | ||||||||||||
Charlton | 29.8 | -1.6 | 35.8 | 25th | 15.4 | +0.4 | 7.6 | 27th | 35.2 | 18.6 | high | 189% |
Echuca Aerodrome | 30.9 | +0.2 | 39.2 | 1st | 15.9 | +0.7 | 9.0 | 4th | 9.5 | 26.2 | average | 36% |
Kerang | 30.8 | -0.4 | 37.8 | 1st | 16.3 | +1.1 | 9.4 | 27th | 30.2 | 23.6 | high | 128% |
Kyabram | 30.3 | +0.2 | 39.6 | 1st | 15.9 | +1.0 | 8.0 | 27th | 7.0 | 27.7 | average | 25% |
Upper North (district 81) | ||||||||||||
Bendigo Airport | 28.9 | -0.7 | 35.2 | 25th | 15.0 | +0.6 | 4.7 | 27th | 20.0 | 30.5 | average | 66% |
Shepparton Airport | 30.6 | -0.4 | 39.7 | 1st | 16.1 | +1.0 | 8.2 | 27th | 28.6 | 36.3 | average | 79% |
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag | 29.2 | -0.4 | 38.5 | 1st | 15.7 | +1.2 | 8.2 | 27th | 10.2 | 32.6 | average | 31% |
Yarrawonga | 31.1 | -0.6 | 41.8 | 1st | 16.4 | +0.7 | 7.9 | 4th | 40.8 | 43.5 | average | 94% |
Lower Northeast (district 82) | ||||||||||||
Benalla Airport | 30.5 | -0.6 | 40.1 | 1st | 16.3 | +1.0 | 8.1 | 27th | 20.2 | 42.7 | average | 47% |
Hunters Hill | 25.2 | -0.1 | 35.0 | 1st | 14.0 | 0.0 | 4.9 | 4th | 32.6 | 71.2 | average | 46% |
Rutherglen Research | 31.7 | +0.9 | 42.3 | 1st | 14.8 | +0.9 | 3.7 | 27th | 18.4 | 37.6 | average | 49% |
Strathbogie | 26.9 | -0.5 | 35.1 | 1st | 12.6 | +1.0 | 4.1 | 4th | 44.4 | 43.9 | average | 101% |
Wangaratta Aero | 30.9 | -0.2 | 42.1 | 1st | 15.3 | +1.5 | 3.9 | 27th | 25.8 | 42.3 | average | 61% |
Upper Northeast (district 83) | ||||||||||||
Falls Creek | 16.2 | -1.0 | 24.8 | 1st | 8.4 | -0.2 | -2.7 | 4th | 104.6 | 92.7 | high | 113% |
Mount Buller | 16.2 | -1.0 | 22.9 | 1st | 8.1 | -0.8 | -1.9 | 4th | 95.6 | 74.6 | average | 128% |
Omeo | 25.0 | -0.7 | 36.7 | 1st | 11.7 | +1.2 | 1.2 | 27th | 51.6 | 54.5 | average | 95% |
East Gippsland (district 84) | ||||||||||||
Gabo Island Lighthouse | 21.9 | +0.3 | 26.7 | 1st | 17.5 | +1.2 | 12.5 | 27th | 78.2 | 67.4 | average | 116% |
Gelantipy | 22.2 | -1.0 | 36.9 | 1st | 12.2 | +0.7 | 3.6 | 27th | 71.8 | 67.6 | average | 106% |
Lakes Entrance (Eastern Beach Road) | 22.4 | -1.5 | 32.7 | 25th | 15.6 | +0.7 | 9.5 | 27th | 98.0 | 55.6 | high | 176% |
Mallacoota | 23.2 | -0.8 | 31.3 | 1st | 16.8 | +1.1 | 11.0 | 27th | 84.8 | 62.2 | average | 136% |
Mount Nowa Nowa | 22.9 | -1.7 | 38.7 | 1st | 14.5 | +0.2 | 8.4 | 4th | 88.6 | 62.4 | average | 142% |
Orbost | 24.9 | -0.7 | 43.0 | 1st | 9.5 | 27th | ||||||
West Gippsland (district 85) | ||||||||||||
Bairnsdale Airport | 23.6 | -2.0 | 37.1 | 1st | 14.9 | +2.0 | 7.2 | 27th | ||||
Corner Inlet (Yanakie) | 21.9 | 29.7 | 25th | 14.8 | 6.4 | 5th | 64.6 | |||||
East Sale | 24.0 | -1.4 | 35.2 | 1st | 14.9 | +1.7 | 6.6 | 27th | 53.2 | 42.2 | high | 126% |
East Sale Airport | 24.2 | 36.0 | 1st | 14.7 | 7.0 | 4th | 66.2 | |||||
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) | 23.9 | -2.8 | 34.1 | 1st | 14.3 | +1.4 | 5.1 | 4th | 102.8 | 44.5 | v high | 231% |
Mount Baw Baw | 14.6 | -2.1 | 23.8 | 1st | 8.1 | -0.1 | -0.9 | 4th | 190.6 | 99.1 | high | 192% |
Mount Moornapa | 22.5 | -2.3 | 36.7 | 1st | 13.5 | 0.0 | 6.8 | 4th | 166.6 | 67.7 | v high | 246% |
Nilma North (Warragul) | 23.2 | 32.0 | 25th | 14.1 | 5.3 | 4th | 131.6 | |||||
Pound Creek | 23.0 | -2.3 | 33.1 | 14th | 14.1 | +1.0 | 5.0 | 5th | 63.2 | 39.7 | high | 159% |
Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse | 19.5 | -1.1 | 28.0 | 25th | 15.6 | +0.7 | 11.7 | 4th | 82.0 | 46.9 | high | 175% |
Yarram Airport | 22.9 | -2.1 | 34.4 | 1st | 14.5 | +1.3 | 6.5 | 22nd | 95.4 | 49.9 | high | 191% |
East Central (district 86) | ||||||||||||
Cerberus | 23.4 | -1.7 | 31.7 | 14th | 15.0 | +0.7 | 7.7 | 22nd | 52.4 | 37.7 | high | 139% |
Coldstream | 25.8 | -2.0 | 33.1 | 14th | 13.2 | +1.2 | 3.5 | 27th | 93.0 | 52.9 | high | 176% |
Essendon Airport | 25.0 | -0.9 | 35.2 | 23rd | 15.0 | +1.0 | 9.2 | 27th | 43.6 | 44.9 | average | 97% |
Ferny Creek | 21.5 | 30.2 | 14th | 13.0 | 6.0 | 27th | 140.2 | |||||
Melbourne (Olympic Park) | 24.4 | 34.0 | 23rd | 15.9 | 10.8 | 5th | 76.2 | |||||
Melbourne Airport | 24.9 | -1.8 | 34.5 | 23rd | 14.4 | +0.2 | 7.2 | 27th | 56.8 | 41.5 | high | 137% |
Moorabbin Airport | 24.3 | -1.8 | 34.6 | 14th | 15.2 | +0.8 | 9.3 | 4th | 77.0 | 44.9 | high | 171% |
Rhyll | 22.7 | -1.7 | 30.6 | 14th | 15.9 | -0.1 | 12.0 | 27th | 64.8 | 40.4 | high | 160% |
Scoresby Research Institute | 24.8 | -1.8 | 33.6 | 14th | 14.7 | +0.8 | 7.4 | 27th | 115.0 | 53.2 | v high | 216% |
Viewbank | 25.6 | -2.1 | 35.4 | 14th | 14.8 | +0.2 | 7.7 | 27th | 87.8 | 46.9 | high | 187% |
West Central (district 87) | ||||||||||||
Avalon Airport | 23.1 | -3.2 | 29.6 | 23rd | 15.1 | +0.6 | 7.2 | 27th | 60.0 | 33.1 | high | 181% |
Breakwater (Geelong Racecourse) | 22.6 | 30.1 | 23rd | 15.4 | 9.2 | 27th | 83.4 | |||||
Laverton RAAF | 24.0 | -1.6 | 34.0 | 23rd | 15.4 | +1.1 | 7.1 | 27th | 49.8 | 45.1 | high | 110% |
Sheoaks | 23.2 | -2.4 | 32.9 | 23rd | 13.5 | +0.7 | 5.0 | 4th | 101.4 | 39.9 | high | 254% |
North Central (district 88) | ||||||||||||
Castlemaine Prison | 25.9 | -2.5 | 32.4 | 13th | 13.8 | +0.3 | 3.0 | 27th | 55.7 | 36.8 | high | 151% |
Eildon Fire Tower | 25.3 | -1.5 | 33.5 | 1st | 13.6 | -0.1 | 6.0 | 4th | 23.6 | 39.9 | average | 59% |
Lake Eildon | 28.0 | -1.1 | 36.2 | 1st | 13.4 | +0.6 | 4.9 | 27th | 45.0 | 42.3 | average | 106% |
Mangalore Airport | 28.5 | -0.9 | 36.9 | 1st | 14.9 | +0.6 | 7.3 | 27th | 57.4 | 34.5 | high | 166% |
Maryborough | 27.1 | -1.6 | 34.6 | 23rd | 14.4 | +1.2 | 5.2 | 27th | 37.8 | 32.2 | average | 117% |
Puckapunyal Lyon Hill (Defence) | 27.7 | 34.9 | 1st | 15.1 | 8.8 | 27th | 81.2 | |||||
Puckapunyal West (Defence) | 27.2 | 33.4 | 1st | 14.4 | 6.6 | 27th | 70.4 | |||||
Redesdale | 28.6 | -0.5 | 34.8 | 23rd | 13.8 | +0.5 | 2.6 | 27th | 23.0 | 36.4 | average | 63% |
Wallan (Kilmore Gap) | 23.2 | -1.6 | 32.0 | 1st | 12.3 | -0.4 | 6.4 | 4th | 56.0 | 47.1 | average | 119% |
Western Plains (district 89) | ||||||||||||
Ararat Prison | 25.1 | -2.1 | 33.2 | 13th | 12.1 | +0.8 | 3.5 | 27th | 40.4 | 31.6 | high | 128% |
Ballarat Aerodrome | 23.4 | -1.7 | 31.6 | 23rd | 12.5 | +1.0 | 3.6 | 27th | 45.6 | 43.4 | average | 105% |
Westmere | 24.8 | -2.7 | 33.8 | 14th | 12.7 | +1.1 | 5.0 | 27th | 66.4 | 20.2 | v high | 329% |
West Coast (district 90) | ||||||||||||
Aireys Inlet | 21.2 | -2.0 | 26.3 | 14th | 14.7 | 0.0 | 9.4 | 27th | 73.2 | 34.4 | high | 213% |
Cape Nelson Lighthouse | 19.2 | -2.1 | 22.0 | 10th | 14.9 | -0.3 | 12.1 | 3rd | 33.6 | 26.7 | average | 126% |
Cape Otway Lighthouse | 18.9 | -2.6 | 27.4 | 14th | 14.7 | +0.7 | 11.9 | 26th | 45.8 | 41.7 | average | 110% |
Casterton | 24.7 | -2.7 | 33.2 | 13th | 12.5 | -0.1 | 3.9 | 4th | 63.8 | 30.1 | high | 212% |
Colac (Mount Gellibrand) | 23.0 | -2.4 | 31.6 | 23rd | 13.2 | +0.3 | 7.8 | 27th | 41.8 | 28.7 | high | 146% |
Dartmoor | 23.5 | -3.0 | 31.2 | 13th | 7.7 | 27th | 8.4 | 26.5 | low | 32% | ||
Hamilton Airport | 24.3 | -2.5 | 33.0 | 13th | 12.2 | +0.8 | 4.9 | 4th | 45.8 | 24.0 | high | 191% |
Mortlake Racecourse | 24.3 | -2.2 | 33.0 | 14th | 12.2 | +0.6 | 4.6 | 27th | 75.2 | 33.1 | high | 227% |
Port Fairy AWS | 20.4 | -2.4 | 23.9 | 10th | 14.5 | -0.1 | 8.8 | 23rd | 35.4 | 28.6 | average | 124% |
Portland (Cashmore Airport) | 20.3 | -2.2 | 26.1 | 10th | 13.2 | +0.4 | 7.0 | 4th | 58.4 | 29.1 | v high | 201% |
Warrnambool Airport NDB | 22.1 | -2.7 | 31.4 | 14th | 12.8 | +0.4 | 4.8 | 4th | 59.2 | 32.2 | high | 184% |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
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 9 am on Monday 2 March 2020. 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.
Further information
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
- Enquiries
- helpdesk.climate@bom.gov.au
Unless otherwise noted, all maps, graphs and diagrams in this page are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence