Monday, 1 June 2020 - Monthly Climate Summary for Victoria - Product code IDCKGC16R0
Victoria in May 2020: dry in the north; cool days and nights
May was drier than average in large areas in the north of Victoria, and wetter than average in parts of the south; elsewhere rainfall in May was generally close to average. Both daytime and night-time temperatures were cooler than average in large parts of the State.
Dry in parts of the north
- May was drier than average in the northwest and northeast of the State and several scattered pockets, and wetter than average in parts of the south
- Statewide, rainfall was 21% below the long-term May average of 65 mm
- Widespread showers have been experienced over much of Victoria on the 1st and 2nd, with the highest falls about the ranges east of Melbourne
- The highest daily rainfall total was 64.6 mm at Moe South on the 2nd
- A pair of cold fronts crossed Victoria on the 7th and 9th, and another one on the 20th bringing strong winds, thunderstorms and rainfall. Daily totals were generally between 10 and 20 mm, with locally higher falls
- A low pressure system over the Tasman Sea brought welcome rain to the far east Victoria on the 23rd and 24th
- The last week of the month was generally dry, due to the dominating influence of high pressure systems
- With 160.0 mm recorded during the month, the wettest place in Victoria was Balook, in Victoria's southeast
- Colac Airport had its highest May daily rainfall on record
Cool days and nights
- May started with cool daytime and night-time temperatures in the wake of a vigorous cold front which brought winter-like conditions to Victoria
- The lowest daytime temperature in Victoria this month was −2.4 °C at Mount Hotham on the 1st
- A cold start was followed by a mix of cool and mild weather, with daytime and night-time temperatures below average in large parts of the State
- Mount Buller had its lowest May mean daily maximum temperature on record, while some sites had their lowest May mean daily maximum temperature for at least two decades
- Chilly mornings often followed the passage of the cold fronts due to lingering cold air mass and clear skies; the coldest night-time temperature in Victoria this month was -5.9 °C at Mount Hotham on the 10th
- Cape Nelson Lighthouse had its lowest May mean daily minimum temperature on record, and Melbourne Airport, Rhyll and Morwell had their lowest May mean daily minimum temperature since at least 1994
- The Victorian mean maximum and minimum temperatures were 0.75 °C and 0.82 °C below average respectively
Snow, strong winds and tornado
- On the 1st and 2nd, a deep low pressure system centred near Tasmania and a high pressure system to the west, created a strong pressure gradients at the surface and strong winds, with gusts exceeding 80 km/h over southern parts of Victoria; the strongest wind gust in the State in May was 137 km/h recorded at Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse on the 2nd
- Significant snowfalls were reported in the Alpine area during the first several days of the month
- A strong cold front brought a band of thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning and winds in excess of 100 km/h to southcentral Victoria in early hours on the 20th; the hardest hit areas were west of Geelong where more than 100 houses were severely damaged, as thunderstorms produced a tornado with winds estimated to be in excess of 150 km/h; State Emergency Services received around 130 calls for help from Geelong area, and 220 across the State
Further information
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Extremes in May 2020 | |
---|---|
Hottest day | 26.8 °C at Mildura Airport on the 7th |
Warmest days on average |
18.2 °C at Mildura Airport 18.2 °C at Ouyen (Post Office) |
Coolest days on average | 3.8 °C at Mount Buller |
Coldest day | -2.4 °C at Mount Hotham on the 1st |
Coldest night | -5.9 °C at Mount Hotham on the 10th |
Coolest nights on average | -0.6 °C at Falls Creek |
Warmest nights on average | 11.0 °C at Gabo Island Lighthouse |
Warmest night | 16.0 °C at Mount Nowa Nowa on the 8th |
Warmest on average overall | 14.1 °C at Gabo Island Lighthouse |
Coolest on average overall | 1.7 °C at Mount Buller |
Wettest overall | 160.0 mm at Balook |
Wettest day | 64.6 mm at Moe South on the 2nd |
Strongest wind gust | 137 km/h at Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse on the 2nd |
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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Click on a map to show it full size in a pop-up window
Record highest May daily rainfall | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (mm) |
Old record |
Years of record |
||||
Colac Airport | 25.4 | on the 1st | 24.8 | on the 2nd in 2019 | 22 |
Record lowest May mean daily maximum temperature | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for May |
||
Mount Buller | 3.8 | 4.4 | in 2000 | 35 | 6.2 |
Lowest May mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent lower |
Average for May |
|||
Kerang | 16.8 | 16.2 | in 1969* | 18.1 | |
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag | 15.7 | 15.5 | in 1973 | 17.3 | |
Kyabram | 16.1 | 15.5 | in 1973* | 17.3 | |
Falls Creek | 4.2 | 2.8 | in 1994* | 6.0 | |
Mangalore Airport | 15.1 | 15.0 | in 2000 | 16.7 | |
Rutherglen Research | 16.3 | 15.5 | in 2000 | 17.0 | |
Strathbogie | 13.0 | 12.7 | in 2000 | 14.4 | |
Swan Hill Aerodrome | 17.3 | 17.2 | in 2000 | 18.8 | |
Wangaratta Aero | 16.0 | 15.9 | in 2000 | 17.4 | |
Yarrawonga | 16.7 | 16.0 | in 2000 | 18.1 |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a lower value has gone unreported
Record lowest May mean daily minimum temperature | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for May |
||
Port Fairy AWS | 8.3 | = 8.3 | in 2010 | 28 | 9.2 |
Sheoaks | 5.9 | = 5.9 | in 2006 | 28 | 7.4 |
Cape Nelson Lighthouse | 9.6 | 9.7 | in 2006 | 23 | 10.8 |
Lowest May mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent lower |
Average for May |
|||
Melbourne Airport | 7.1 | 6.6 | in 1984 | 8.3 | |
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) | 4.6 | 3.4 | in 1984 | 6.5 | |
Rhyll | 9.8 | 9.7 | in 1994 | 10.8 |
Record lowest May mean temperature | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for May |
||
Melbourne Airport | 11.3 | = 11.3 | in 2006 | 49 | 12.5 |
Mount Buller | 1.7 | 1.8 | in 2000 | 35 | 3.6 |
Yarrawonga | 10.8 | = 10.8 | in 2012 | 27 | 12.1 |
Lowest May mean temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent lower |
Average for May |
|||
Kyabram | 10.6 | =10.6 | in 1976* | 11.7 | |
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) | 10.4 | 10.2 | in 1984 | 11.7 |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a lower value has gone unreported
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Summary statistics for May 2020 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum temperatures (°C) |
Minimum temperatures (°C) |
Rainfall (millimetres) |
||||||||||
Mean for May 2020 |
Diff from average |
Highest for May 2020 |
Mean for May 2020 |
Diff from average |
Lowest for May 2020 |
Total for May 2020 |
Average for May |
Rank of May 2020 |
Fraction of May average |
|||
North Mallee (district 76) | ||||||||||||
Mildura Airport | 18.2 | -0.9 | 26.8 | 7th | 6.1 | -1.3 | 0.5 | 15th | 9.6 | 25.1 | low | 38% |
Ouyen (Post Office) | 18.2 | -0.7 | 25.4 | 7th | 6.4 | -0.8 | 2.6 | 16th | 15.6 | 31.4 | low | 50% |
Walpeup Research | 18.0 | -0.4 | 26.0 | 7th | 7.0 | -0.8 | 2.8 | 15th | ||||
South Mallee (district 77) | ||||||||||||
Hopetoun Airport | 17.5 | -1.4 | 24.9 | 7th | 5.2 | -0.9 | 0.9 | 15th | 13.6 | 27.1 | v low | 50% |
Swan Hill Aerodrome | 17.3 | -1.5 | 24.8 | 7th | 5.8 | -0.6 | 0.9 | 15th | 20.6 | 26.2 | average | 79% |
North Wimmera (district 78) | ||||||||||||
Kellalac (Warracknabeal Airport) | 17.1 | 24.4 | 7th | 5.5 | 0.2 | 16th | 21.8 | |||||
Nhill Aerodrome | 16.6 | -1.3 | 23.1 | 7th | 6.1 | -0.7 | 1.1 | 15th | 36.6 | 30.8 | average | 119% |
South Wimmera (district 79) | ||||||||||||
Edenhope Airport | 15.4 | -1.4 | 21.6 | 19th | 6.3 | -1.0 | 0.6 | 15th | 69.2 | 47.8 | high | 145% |
Grampians (Mount William) | 7.6 | -0.8 | 13.0 | 7th | 2.5 | -1.2 | -0.6 | 10th | 116.2 | 133.4 | average | 87% |
Horsham Aerodrome | 16.4 | -1.2 | 23.2 | 7th | 4.5 | -0.9 | -1.5 | 16th | 40.6 | 35.1 | high | 116% |
Kanagulk | 15.4 | -1.2 | 22.1 | 19th | 5.3 | -1.3 | -0.5 | 16th | 49.6 | 45.5 | average | 109% |
Longerenong | 16.4 | -0.7 | 23.5 | 7th | 5.2 | -0.8 | 0.4 | 10th | 41.8 | 42.9 | average | 97% |
Pyrenees (Ben Nevis) | 10.0 | -1.0 | 15.1 | 7th | 4.5 | -1.0 | 0.8 | 10th | ||||
Stawell Aerodrome | 14.9 | -1.4 | 21.4 | 7th | 5.8 | -0.6 | 0.6 | 15th | 43.2 | 43.2 | average | 100% |
Lower North (district 80) | ||||||||||||
Charlton | 16.4 | -1.7 | 23.2 | 7th | 5.8 | -0.7 | 0.4 | 16th | 23.4 | 35.3 | low | 66% |
Echuca Aerodrome | 16.5 | -1.1 | 21.1 | 7th | 5.5 | -1.1 | 0.5 | 15th | 38.6 | 40.6 | average | 95% |
Kerang | 16.8 | -1.3 | 22.8 | 7th | 6.0 | -0.8 | 2.3 | 16th | 27.2 | 35.9 | average | 76% |
Kyabram | 16.1 | -1.2 | 20.6 | 7th | 5.1 | -1.0 | 0.4 | 15th | 35.0 | 42.3 | average | 83% |
Upper North (district 81) | ||||||||||||
Bendigo Airport | 15.3 | -1.4 | 19.9 | 7th | 4.5 | -0.8 | 0.7 | 17th | 52.2 | 46.9 | average | 111% |
Shepparton Airport | 16.1 | -1.5 | 21.0 | 7th | 5.3 | -0.3 | 0.9 | 15th | 38.0 | 34.3 | average | 111% |
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag | 15.7 | -1.6 | 20.6 | 7th | 5.2 | -0.6 | 0.3 | 15th | 38.8 | 44.7 | average | 87% |
Yarrawonga | 16.7 | -1.4 | 22.6 | 7th | 5.0 | -1.2 | 1.3 | 15th | 24.0 | 35.6 | average | 67% |
Lower Northeast (district 82) | ||||||||||||
Benalla Airport | 16.1 | -1.4 | 20.9 | 7th | 4.1 | -1.1 | 0.9 | 11th | 31.6 | 47.8 | low | 66% |
Hunters Hill | 10.9 | -0.9 | 15.2 | 8th | 4.5 | -1.0 | 0.1 | 10th | 82.0 | 99.1 | average | 83% |
Rutherglen Research | 16.3 | -0.7 | 21.8 | 7th | 2.9 | -1.4 | -1.0 | 24th | 30.4 | 51.6 | average | 59% |
Strathbogie | 13.0 | -1.4 | 18.0 | 19th | 3.1 | -0.6 | -2.0 | 15th | 87.7 | 95.4 | average | 92% |
Wangaratta Aero | 16.0 | -1.4 | 21.2 | 7th | 3.3 | -1.1 | -0.3 | 26th | 24.8 | 57.0 | low | 44% |
Upper Northeast (district 83) | ||||||||||||
Falls Creek | 4.2 | -1.8 | 10.8 | 17th | -0.6 | -1.2 | -5.7 | 10th | 81.2 | 97.4 | average | 83% |
Mount Buller | 3.8 | -2.4 | 8.8 | 26th | -0.4 | -1.4 | -4.9 | 10th | 136.6 | 141.9 | average | 96% |
Omeo | 13.3 | -1.2 | 18.4 | 7th | 2.6 | -0.2 | -2.4 | 15th | 36.4 | 34.9 | average | 104% |
East Gippsland (district 84) | ||||||||||||
Combienbar AWS | 13.8 | -0.6 | 21.3 | 8th | 7.5 | -0.2 | 4.3 | 14th | 25.2 | 62.2 | low | 41% |
Gabo Island Lighthouse | 17.1 | +0.2 | 24.2 | 8th | 11.0 | -0.2 | 8.5 | 16th | 96.2 | 97.8 | average | 98% |
Gelantipy | 12.5 | -0.5 | 18.4 | 8th | 4.4 | -0.5 | -0.8 | 15th | 42.8 | 45.7 | average | 94% |
Lakes Entrance (Eastern Beach Road) | 16.6 | -1.4 | 22.4 | 19th | 7.3 | -1.3 | 2.3 | 16th | 25.6 | 41.8 | average | 61% |
Mallacoota | 17.5 | -0.1 | 24.2 | 9th | 8.9 | -0.4 | 4.1 | 15th | 116.2 | 82.2 | high | 141% |
Mount Nowa Nowa | 15.5 | -0.5 | 22.2 | 7th | 8.3 | -0.5 | 4.3 | 10th | 33.6 | 56.4 | average | 60% |
Orbost | 17.4 | -0.5 | 23.1 | 7th | 7.7 | -0.8 | 3.0 | 17th | 49.4 | 52.6 | average | 94% |
West Gippsland (district 85) | ||||||||||||
Bairnsdale Airport | 16.7 | -0.9 | 23.4 | 7th | 6.0 | -0.7 | 0.6 | 15th | 22.2 | 44.0 | low | 50% |
Corner Inlet (Yanakie) | 15.6 | 19.3 | 19th | 7.8 | 2.0 | 16th | 127.0 | |||||
East Sale | 16.6 | -0.3 | 22.9 | 7th | 5.4 | -0.9 | 0.5 | 30th | 29.4 | 49.7 | average | 59% |
East Sale Airport | 16.7 | 22.9 | 7th | 5.3 | 0.4 | 30th | 31.0 | |||||
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) | 16.1 | -0.8 | 21.8 | 7th | 4.6 | -1.9 | -0.8 | 30th | 80.2 | 55.4 | high | 145% |
Mount Baw Baw | 5.0 | -1.4 | 11.0 | 17th | 0.5 | -1.1 | -4.9 | 14th | 132.8 | 124.7 | average | 106% |
Mount Moornapa | 14.1 | -0.9 | 21.5 | 7th | 7.2 | -0.7 | 3.9 | 10th | ||||
Nilma North (Warragul) | 15.3 | 22.4 | 7th | 5.5 | -0.3 | 16th | 114.8 | |||||
Pound Creek | 16.1 | -1.0 | 22.6 | 7th | 7.3 | -0.9 | 0.7 | 18th | 129.8 | 98.4 | high | 132% |
Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse | 14.7 | -0.3 | 20.5 | 19th | 10.9 | -0.2 | 7.9 | 10th | 133.2 | 114.2 | average | 117% |
Yarram Airport | 16.1 | -1.3 | 20.3 | 7th | 5.6 | -1.3 | 0.5 | 16th | 49.2 | 47.9 | average | 103% |
East Central (district 86) | ||||||||||||
Cerberus | 16.0 | -0.7 | 21.8 | 7th | 7.9 | -0.6 | 1.3 | 18th | 95.0 | 71.0 | high | 134% |
Coldstream | 16.0 | -0.7 | 21.7 | 7th | 5.2 | -0.5 | -1.2 | 15th | 106.0 | 69.1 | high | 153% |
Essendon Airport | 15.7 | -0.7 | 20.4 | 7th | 7.7 | -0.2 | 2.6 | 17th | 54.6 | 48.8 | average | 112% |
Ferny Creek | 12.0 | 17.6 | 7th | 7.0 | 2.2 | 10th | 123.4 | 134.7 | average | 92% | ||
Melbourne (Olympic Park) | 16.4 | 21.1 | 7th | 8.7 | 4.5 | 15th | 66.8 | |||||
Melbourne Airport | 15.5 | -1.2 | 20.7 | 7th | 7.1 | -1.2 | 1.3 | 26th | 49.2 | 40.0 | high | 123% |
Moorabbin Airport | 16.5 | -0.5 | 21.7 | 7th | 8.0 | -0.8 | 2.2 | 26th | 62.2 | 68.9 | average | 90% |
Rhyll | 15.7 | -0.6 | 20.5 | 7th | 9.8 | -1.0 | 6.1 | 10th | 96.0 | 75.6 | average | 127% |
Scoresby Research Institute | 15.9 | -0.5 | 21.7 | 7th | 7.4 | -0.9 | 0.3 | 26th | 93.0 | 87.2 | average | 107% |
Viewbank | 16.1 | -1.1 | 21.7 | 7th | 7.2 | -0.8 | 1.7 | 15th | 71.4 | 53.4 | high | 134% |
West Central (district 87) | ||||||||||||
Avalon Airport | 16.3 | -1.0 | 22.2 | 7th | 6.8 | -0.9 | 1.1 | 18th | 25.0 | 37.3 | average | 67% |
Breakwater (Geelong Racecourse) | 16.5 | 22.3 | 7th | 7.5 | 2.0 | 18th | 28.6 | |||||
Laverton RAAF | 16.1 | -0.8 | 21.3 | 7th | 7.5 | -0.3 | 2.3 | 16th | 41.0 | 45.8 | average | 90% |
Sheoaks | 14.6 | -1.0 | 19.8 | 7th | 5.9 | -1.5 | 0.0 | 16th | 53.2 | 38.3 | high | 139% |
North Central (district 88) | ||||||||||||
Castlemaine Prison | 14.5 | -1.2 | 17.5 | 6th | 5.3 | -0.1 | -0.5 | 14th | 63.0 | 58.1 | average | 108% |
Eildon Fire Tower | 12.2 | -1.1 | 17.4 | 7th | 5.8 | -0.9 | 2.3 | 10th | 55.2 | 55.3 | average | 100% |
Lake Eildon | 15.1 | -1.1 | 20.0 | 7th | 4.9 | -1.1 | 0.5 | 26th | 68.0 | 78.4 | average | 87% |
Mangalore Airport | 15.1 | -1.6 | 19.9 | 7th | 5.2 | -0.9 | 0.2 | 16th | 43.8 | 53.5 | average | 82% |
Maryborough | 15.0 | -1.2 | 20.2 | 7th | 5.6 | -0.5 | 1.1 | 16th | 41.8 | 49.2 | average | 85% |
Puckapunyal Lyon Hill (Defence) | 14.7 | 19.2 | 7th | 6.8 | 2.3 | 11th | 39.0 | |||||
Puckapunyal West (Defence) | 14.3 | 19.2 | 7th | 6.5 | 3.8 | 10th | 54.6 | |||||
Redesdale | 15.0 | -1.1 | 19.0 | 7th | 4.2 | -1.0 | 0.2 | 16th | 56.6 | 55.8 | average | 101% |
Wallan (Kilmore Gap) | 11.5 | -1.4 | 16.1 | 7th | 6.0 | -0.9 | 2.9 | 10th | 58.0 | 58.4 | average | 99% |
Western Plains (district 89) | ||||||||||||
Ararat Prison | 14.4 | -1.1 | 20.1 | 7th | 5.0 | -0.6 | -1.5 | 15th | 78.1 | 55.4 | high | 141% |
Ballarat Aerodrome | 13.0 | -0.7 | 17.5 | 7th | 4.4 | -1.3 | -1.2 | 14th | 63.4 | 64.5 | average | 98% |
Westmere | 14.5 | -1.2 | 20.5 | 7th | 5.4 | -1.2 | -0.5 | 17th | 68.6 | 58.4 | high | 117% |
West Coast (district 90) | ||||||||||||
Aireys Inlet | 16.1 | -0.3 | 20.6 | 7th | 8.9 | -1.0 | 5.3 | 10th | 34.6 | 53.3 | low | 65% |
Cape Nelson Lighthouse | 16.6 | +0.4 | 22.3 | 19th | 9.6 | -1.2 | 5.7 | 16th | 94.6 | 74.0 | high | 128% |
Cape Otway Lighthouse | 15.1 | -0.5 | 20.5 | 7th | 9.7 | -0.4 | 6.2 | 5th | 91.8 | 91.5 | average | 100% |
Casterton | 15.2 | -1.1 | 20.9 | 19th | 6.2 | -1.1 | 0.1 | 17th | 94.8 | 70.6 | average | 134% |
Colac (Mount Gellibrand) | 14.3 | -0.8 | 19.3 | 7th | 7.3 | -0.7 | 3.0 | 10th | 59.6 | 46.3 | high | 129% |
Dartmoor | 15.6 | -0.7 | 21.2 | 19th | 6.4 | -1.2 | -0.8 | 16th | 115.8 | 88.8 | v high | 130% |
Hamilton Airport | 14.4 | -1.3 | 20.4 | 19th | 5.7 | -1.0 | 2.0 | 16th | 90.4 | 54.8 | v high | 165% |
Mortlake Racecourse | 15.7 | -0.6 | 21.9 | 7th | 5.6 | -1.1 | -1.2 | 17th | 88.4 | 58.1 | high | 152% |
Port Fairy AWS | 16.3 | -0.6 | 22.1 | 19th | 8.3 | -0.9 | 3.3 | 16th | 68.8 | 69.6 | average | 99% |
Portland (Cashmore Airport) | 15.2 | -0.7 | 21.0 | 19th | 7.7 | -0.7 | 2.4 | 16th | 107.0 | 84.1 | high | 127% |
Warrnambool Airport NDB | 15.5 | -1.0 | 20.6 | 7th | 6.6 | -0.9 | 0.8 | 16th | 111.8 | 75.2 | high | 149% |
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 10 am on Monday 1 June 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