Thursday, 4 November 2021 - Monthly Climate Summary for Victoria - Product code IDCKGC16R0

Victoria in October 2021: wetter than average in the south

October was wetter than average in much of southern Victoria. Daytime temperatures were close to average across most of the state, while night-time temperatures were warmer than average in the state's south-east and below average in much of the west.

Wetter than average in the south

• It was wetter than average month in much of southern Victoria.
• Averaged across the state, October rainfall total was about 10% above the mean of 64.6 mm.
• A complex low pressure system and an associated low pressure trough that crossed the state at the end of September, resulted in widespread rainfall across Victoria on 1st October, with daily totals at many sites exceeding 30 mm.
• The highest daily rainfall total recorded in Victoria this October was 105.8 mm at Haines Junction (Mount Sabine) on the 1st.
• Some sites had their highest October daily rainfall on record on the 1st.
• Mid-month, a complex low pressure system and a low-pressure trough brought severe thunderstorms, strong winds, and widespread, locally heavy rainfall.
• A cold front that crossed Victoria on the 22nd resulted in light to moderate falls over the central and southern parts of the state, while a cold front and the associated low pressure system which developed over western Victoria on the 28th brought damaging winds, severe thunderstorms, hail and showers.
• With 288.9 mm, the wettest place in Victoria this October was Haines Junction (Mount Sabine).
• Some sites had their highest total October rainfall on record, or their highest total October rainfall for at least 20 years.
• Victoria's cool season (April to October) rainfall total was around 2% below average.

Close to average temperatures overall

• Daytime temperatures were close to average across most of the state away from Victoria's south-west and parts of the Gippsland and North-east districts.
• Averaged across the state, the mean maximum temperature was 0.43 °C below the October average, the lowest since 2016.
• There were several warm days, notably on the 9th, 21st, 22nd, 27th and 28th due to a northerly airflow ahead of the approaching cold fronts.
• The highest daily maximum temperature recorded in Victoria this month was 33.9 °C at Ouyen PO and Walpeup Research on the 28th.
• Night-time temperatures were warmer than average in the state's south-east and below average in much of the west.
• Victoria's mean minimum temperature was 0.10 °C below average, the lowest since 2016.
• There were some cool nights scattered throughout the month; the lowest daily minimum temperature in the state this October was −6.0 °C, recorded at Falls Creek on the 25th.

Thunderstorms, hail and strong winds

• Large accumulations of small hail were observed on the 14th across north-west Victoria as a cold front and associated thunderstorms crossed the state.
• Traralgon received 40.6 mm of rain on the 14th, with 20 mm falling in a 30-minute period; a minor flood warning was issued for Traralgon Creek.
• Damaging winds affected Victoria on the 28th and 29th due to a low pressure system and the associated cold front; the strongest wind gust of 146 km/h was recorded at Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse on the 29th; Victoria's State Emergency Service received more than 2000 calls for help, mostly for fallen trees and building damage, and parts of Victoria were left without power.

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

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

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

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top