Monday, 1 March 2021 - Monthly Climate Summary for Victoria - Product code IDCKGC16R0

Victoria in February 2021: drier and cooler than average

February was drier than average for Victoria as a whole. Daytime temperatures were cooler than average in central and eastern Victoria. Night-time temperatures were close to average across most of the state, except in the north-west where they were cooler than average.

Drier than average month

• Areas in western and south-eastern Victoria observed drier than average conditions during February, with only the north-east of the state reporting above average rainfall.
• Most of western Victoria received less than 40% of its February average.
• State-wide, February rainfall was 16% below average for the month.
• A deep low pressure system and low pressure trough brought tropical moisture over the state on the 5th; daily rainfall totals to 9am on the 6th exceeded 50 mm at many sites in the central and north-east Victoria.
• On the 12th, a low pressure trough, with an associated cold front, brought light, but widespread falls, while on the 20th another low pressure trough brought more rainfall to the north-east.
• The last week of the month was mostly dry across the state.
• The highest daily total for the month, 119.0 mm, was recorded at Mount Hotham on the 6th.
• Several sites had their highest February daily rainfall on record also on the 6th.
• Falls Creek (Rocky Valley) was the state's wettest site for the month with 274.9 mm.

Below average temperatures

• In February, daytime temperatures were cooler than average in central and eastern Victoria.
• Night-time temperatures were close to average across most of the state, except in the north-west where they were cooler than average.
• State-wide, mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures were 1.06 °C and 0.31 °C below the long-term February average.
• There were several cooler periods which followed the passage of cold fronts, followed by periods with mild to warm daytime temperatures.
• The coldest day saw a maximum temperature of 5.2 °C at Mount Baw Baw on the 23rd; the coldest night saw a minimum temperature of −2.1 °C at Mount Hotham, also on the 23rd.
• On the same day Mortlake Racecourse had its lowest February temperature on record.
• Coldstream had its lowest February mean daily minimum temperature since 1998.
• In terms of mean temperature, this was the coolest February since 2008.

Strong winds and thunderstorms

• The strongest winds during February, associated with a passage of a cold front, were recorded on the 5th, with gusts of 126 km/h reported at Mount Buller.
• A severe storm crossed the Shepparton region in the afternoon on the 5th, leaving a narrow path of destruction with trees uprooted, power lines fallen and farm sheds destroyed.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Maps
	Observed	Anomaly	Decile rank
Total rainfall
Mean daily maximum temperatures
Mean daily minimum temperatures

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Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top