Victoria in August 2022: above average rainfall, mild nights

Rainfall was above average across most of the state, increasing to pockets of the Wimmera and north-east with more than 200% of average. Many Victorian catchments had minor flooding. Maximum temperatures were above average across southern Victoria, and minimums were above average across the state and very much above average from the south-west to the north-east.

Wettest August since 2010

  • Most of Victoria had above average rainfall, with parts of the Wimmera, Northern Country, South Gippsland and the North East districts very much above average.
  • Small areas in the Wimmera and the north-east of the state totalled more than 200% of their August average.
  • Rainfall averaged across Victoria was 97.83 mm, 29.5% above the 1961–1990 August average of 75.5 mm, the highest August rainfall since 2010.
  • The highest monthly total was 343.8 mm at Snowy Creek in the state’s north-east.
  • The highest daily total was 103.2 mm at Madalya on the 16th
  • Many sites had their highest August daily rainfall on record, with the highest of 100.4 mm at Boolara South to 9 am on the 15th.
  • Several sites had their highest total August rainfall on record, including Falls Creek with more than 270% of its long-term average and Bullarto South more than 200% above average.
  • Many sites had their highest total August rainfall for at least 20 years
  • A Tasman Low stalled in Bass Strait on the 13th and 14th, bringing multi-day rainfall totals of 50 to 100 mm over Gippsland and major flooding along the Moe River at Darnum, and minor flooding at Traralgon and Iona.
  • Over August there was minor flooding in isolated catchments through central and eastern Victoria, including the Yarra River, and parts of the northeast and South Gippsland.

Mild August temperatures

  • Maximum temperatures were warmer than average across the south.
  • Victoria's mean maximum temperature was 14.44 °C, 0.70 °C above average.
  • The warmest day was 25.2 °C at Mildura Airport on 29th.
  • The 23rd was the coldest day with a maximum of -3.0 °C at Mount Hotham.
  • Night-time temperatures were warmer than average across the state and very much above average along the south and across most of Gippsland.
  • The August average minimum temperature of 5.41 °C was in the 10 highest years on record; more than a degree above the Victorian August average.
  • The coolest night was -6.7 °C at Falls Creek.
  • Maryborough had its highest August mean daily minimum temperature on record.
  • Echuca and Ballarat Aeodromes had their  highest August mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years.
  • Wangaratta Aeodrome had its  highest August mean temperature on record.

Damaging winds, severe storms and hail

  • A succession of cold fronts brought damaging winds, severe storms and hail several times during the month.
  • Strong to damaging winds on the 2nd affected much of Victoria, with gusts of more than 100 km/h recorded on Port Phillip Bay and in the Grampians.
  • The highest August wind gust was 122 km/h at Grampians (Mount William) on the 3rd.
  • On the 17th wind gusts exceeded 90 km/h in parts of Victoria, including 96 km/h at Melbourne Airport, 94 km/h in the Grampians at Mount William and 102 km/h at Mount Hotham.
  • The 22nd saw wind gusts over 100 km/h in alpine regions, including 115 km/h at Mount Hotham.
  • On the 29–30th high winds and severe thunderstorms crossed western and northern Victoria, with 2–5 cm hail around Mildura and Wentworth, 1–2 cm hail in Kaniva, and flash flooding reported in Horsham, Dimboola and Portland. 100 km/h wind gusts were recorded at Horsham Aerodrome on the 29th, and the region experienced extensive power outages.

Further information

Media
(03) 9669 4057

Extremes in August 2022
Hottest day 25.2 °C at Mildura Airport on the 29th
Warmest days on average 18.2 °C at Mildura Airport
Coolest days on average 1.7 °C at Falls Creek
Coldest day -3.0 °C at Mount Hotham on the 23rd
Coldest night -6.7 °C at Falls Creek on the 24th
Coolest nights on average -2.4 °C at Falls Creek
Warmest nights on average 9.5 °C at Gabo Island Lighthouse
Warmest night 14.2 °C at Mallacoota on the 30thh
Warmest on average overall 12.5 °C at Gabo Island Lighthouse
Coolest on average overall -0.3 °C at Falls Creek
Wettest overall 500.3 mm at Falls Creek (Rocky Valley)
Wettest day 103.2 mm at Madalya on the 16th
Strongest wind gust 122 km/h at Grampians (Mount William) 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 August daily rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Indigo 46.5 on the 30th 40.1 on the 27th in 1970 118
Darriman (Tarralangi) 53.8 on the 14th 49.8 on the 26th in 1963 69
Buln Buln 72.4 on the 15th 41.4 on the 11th in 2019 53
Horsham Aerodrome 40.0 on the 30th 33.0 on the 24th in 2003 25
Balook 84.0 on the 15th 62.4 on the 28th in 2015 23
Cape Schanck 28.2 on the 15th 28.0 on the 4th in 2005 22
Traralgon EPA 39.2 on the 15th 38.8 on the 28th in 2015 22
Boolarra South 100.4 on the 15th 39.6 on the 11th in 2005 21
Moorabool River at Lal Lal 34.8 on the 3rd 29.0 on the 12th in 2010 21
Traralgon Creek at Koornalla 59.0 on the 15th 46.8 on the 10th in 2019 21
Gnarwarre (Barwon River at Pollocksford) 26.4 on the 13th 19.8 on the 31st in 2005 20



Record highest August total rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
August
Bairnsdale Airport 70.8 65.6 in 2021 43 37.5
Springvale (Sandown) 109.2 99.1 in 1989 32 61.2
Hunters Hill 275.0 255.6 in 2003 29 140.6
Coldstream 123.4 121.8 in 2010 28 73.4
Falls Creek 283.0 222.8 in 2017 28 106.0
Horsham Aerodrome 112.2 90.6 in 2003 25 42.0
Boolarra South 227.2 199.4 in 2013 21 120.5
Bullarto South 187.1 168.6 in 2001 21 92.9
Bloomfield Park (Everton) 112.0 107.4 in 2010 20 65.2
Carboor Upper 182.0 171.6 in 2010 20 97.6
Nhill Aerodrome 88.6 83.8 in 2003 20 44.8
Ovens River @ Eurobin 277.6 237.0 in 2013 20 138.1
Rosewhite Fld 173.2 167.8 in 2010 20 98.3

Highest August total rainfall for at least 20 years
Observed
(mm)
Most recent
higher
Average for
August
Dimboola 108.0 120.4 in 1909* 43.6
Longerenong 113.0 135.2 in 1909* 44.0
East Sale 91.6 111.8 in 1974 46.3
Jindivick 182.9 210.6 in 1975 103.9
Mitcham 118.8 123.2 in 1978* 74.5
Stratford 70.8 72.4 in 1976* 41.7
Natimuk 87.0 121.2 in 1981 49.2
Yan Yean 96.8 104.8 in 1985 57.7
Vaughan 121.7 122.4 in 1984* 68.2
Inglewood (Post Office) 104.2 111.6 in 1985* 48.0
Jeparit 85.8 103.0 in 1981* 40.5
Eurobin 242.4 251.6 in 1991 140.0
Mitta Mitta 211.6 243.2 in 1991 124.9
Clear Lake 104.8 107.6 in 1991* 58.4
Uplands (Gibbo River Park) 235.0 274.0 in 1991* 132.4
Wycheproof 64.6 88.6 in 1985* 38.3
Birchip (Woodlands) 72.6 79.0 in 1999 35.9
Scoresby Research Institute 115.0 122.6 in 1999* 80.0
Balook 259.4 291.8 in 2001 152.7
Essendon Airport 67.8 80.3 in 1985* 48.4
Oakleigh (Metropolitan Golf Club) 94.1 111.4 in 1999* 65.0
Springvale Necropolis 117.0 119.4 in 1999* 75.3
Giffard 73.4 95.2 in 2001* 44.7

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




Record highest August daily minimum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
August
Maryborough 11.6 on the 29th = 11.6 on the 26th in 1999 58 3.9



Highest August mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
higher
Average for
August
Echuca Aerodrome 5.8 6.1 in 1984 4.7
Ballarat Aerodrome 4.3 =4.3 in 1984* 3.6

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




Record highest August mean temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
August
Wangaratta Aero 9.9 = 9.9 in 2013 35 8.7



Summary statistics for August 2022
Maximum temperatures
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
(°C)
Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
August
2022
Diff
from
average
Highest for
August
2022
Mean for
August
2022
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
August
2022
Total for
August
2022
Average
for
August
Rank of
August
2022
Fraction of
August
average
North Mallee (district 76)
Mildura Airport 18.2 +0.9 25.2 29th 6.1 +0.9 1.6 8th 38.8 25.4 high 153%
Ouyen (Post Office) 17.4 +0.3 24.1 29th 5.8 +0.8 2.5 9th 33.2 32.1 average 103%
Walpeup Research 17.1 +0.7 24.1 29th 5.9 +0.6 1.7 23rd 31.8 34.5 average 92%
South Mallee (district 77)
Hopetoun Airport 16.4 -0.4 23.0 29th 4.3 +0.9 -0.9 9th 44.0 27.4 high 161%
Swan Hill Aerodrome 16.5 -0.2 22.3 28th 4.9 +0.9 -0.2 9th 52.2 27.4 high 191%
North Wimmera (district 78)
Kellalac (Warracknabeal Airport) 15.1   20.9 29th 4.6   0.2 9th 55.2
Nhill Aerodrome 15.0 -0.4 21.6 29th 5.7 +1.1 1.4 8th 88.6 44.8 highest 198%
South Wimmera (district 79)
Edenhope Airport 14.3 -0.3 20.2 28th 6.2 +0.9 0.5 8th 85.4 67.5 average 127%
Grampians (Mount William) 5.9 +0.1 11.4 28th 1.5 +0.5 -2.4 23rd 202.6 157.0 high 129%
Horsham Aerodrome 14.9 -0.2 20.3 29th 4.1 +0.9 0.1 8th 112.2 42.0 highest 267%
Kanagulk 14.2 0.0 19.0 29th 5.0 +0.5 -0.9 8th 106.2 67.9 v high 156%
Longerenong 14.8 0.0 19.7 29th 4.2 +0.3 -0.6 9th 113.0 44.0 v high 257%
Pyrenees (Ben Nevis) 8.4 -0.1 14.7 28th 3.3 +0.6 -0.7 23rd 103.0 87.6 high 118%
Stawell Aerodrome 13.8 0.0 18.1 28th 5.2 +0.6 -0.9 9th 103.4 55.9 v high 185%
Lower North (district 80)
Charlton 15.3 -0.3 19.9 28th 4.7 +0.7 -1.3 9th 78.6 37.2 v high 211%
Echuca Aerodrome 15.6 +0.3 20.5 28th 5.8 +1.1 1.3 21st 86.5 42.3 v high 204%
Kerang 16.5 +0.4 22.1 3rd 5.5 +0.6 1.5 10th 47.4 36.8 high 129%
Kyabram 15.4 +0.5 19.8 28th 4.6 +0.7 -0.9 21st 51.2 42.4 average 121%
Upper North (district 81)
Bendigo Airport 14.3 +0.1 18.6 28th 4.4 +1.6 -1.9 9th 91.2 52.6 v high 173%
Shepparton Airport 15.3 +0.4 19.5 28th 4.8 +1.1 -1.5 21st 60.6 45.4 average 133%
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag 15.0 +0.3 18.9 28th 4.6 +0.8 -1.6 21st 67.4 46.7 high 144%
Yarrawonga 15.5 +0.3 20.3 3rd 4.5 +0.9 -1.2 9th 50.6 39.7 average 127%
Lower Northeast (district 82)
Benalla Airport 14.7 +0.3 19.0 28th 5.0 +1.7 0.1 21st 96.8 60.1 high 161%
Corryong Airport 14.5 +0.4 19.5 3rd 4.2 +2.6 -2.3 10th 180.0 85.0 v high 212%
Dartmouth Reservoir 13.8 +0.4 18.6 27th 4.8 +2.0 0.0 24th 189.8 121.4 high 156%
Hunters Hill 8.8 -0.1 13.9 27th 3.2 +0.7 -0.3 24th 275.0 140.6 highest 196%
Rutherglen Research 15.0 +1.0 19.7 3rd 4.3 +1.6 -2.3 9th 87.4 60.2 high 145%
Strathbogie 11.9 +0.4 15.9 27th 2.3 0.0 -3.2 21st 138.2 114.9 average 120%
Wangaratta Aero 14.8 +0.3 19.3 28th 5.0 +2.1 -0.7 10th 101.0 57.8 high 175%
Upper Northeast (district 83)
Falls Creek 1.7 -0.2 6.4 3rd -2.4 +0.3 -6.7 24th 283.0 106.0 highest 267%
Mount Buller 2.5 +0.5 8.9 31st -1.9 +0.6 -4.9 21st 260.4 161.7 high 161%
Omeo 12.3 +0.1 17.0 27th 2.9 +1.6 -1.9 9th 99.8 51.1 v high 195%
East Gippsland (district 84)
Combienbar AWS 13.1 +0.4 19.4 29th 5.4 +0.2 0.7 23rd 57.2 67.0 average 85%
Gabo Island Lighthouse 15.5 +0.8 20.8 5th 9.5 +1.0 6.6 10th 74.8 72.0 average 104%
Gelantipy 11.2 +0.1 15.3 3rd 3.9 +1.1 -1.6 21st 66.6 55.1 average 121%
Mallacoota 16.1 +0.4 20.9 29th 7.9 +1.4 3.1 10th 62.8 70.7 average 89%
Mount Nowa Nowa 14.3 0.0 18.8 3rd 7.0 +0.7 1.9 23rd 88.2 64.4 high 137%
Orbost 16.4 +0.4 21.9 29th 6.7 +0.7 1.8 10th 98.6 65.5 high 151%
West Gippsland (district 85)
Bairnsdale Airport 15.5 -0.2 20.5 18th 5.4 +0.9 -1.4 10th 70.8 37.5 highest 189%
Corner Inlet (Yanakie) 14.6   18.9 29th 7.8   1.5 9th 123.2 94.8 high 130%
East Sale 15.8 +0.7 20.2 29th 5.3 +1.2 -1.4 10th 91.6 46.3 v high 198%
East Sale Airport 15.8   20.1 29th 4.9   -2.2 10th 95.6
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) 15.1 +0.3 19.9 28th 5.4 +1.1 -0.5 10th 112.4 67.5 v high 167%
Mount Baw Baw 3.5 +0.6 10.4 26th -1.1 +0.5 -5.9 21st 295.0 181.2 v high 163%
Mount Moornapa 13.6 0.0 19.2 18th 6.2 +0.6 2.2 21st 54.2 53.2 average 102%
Nilma North (Warragul) 14.3   19.7 28th 6.2   1.1 21st 187.8
Pound Creek 15.0 +0.5 20.4 28th 7.2 +0.7 0.6 9th 156.4 100.9 high 155%
Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse 13.3 +0.5 18.6 29th 9.2 +0.8 6.6 23rd 194.8 123.7 high 157%
Yarram Airport 15.2 +0.2 21.1 28th 5.5 +0.5 -1.9 10th 86.0 53.7 v high 160%
East Central (district 86)
Cerberus 14.6 0.0 20.6 28th 7.1 +0.4 -1.0 9th 100.8 76.2 high 132%
Coldstream 15.1 +0.4 20.4 28th 5.7 +1.3 -1.5 10th 123.4 73.4 highest 168%
Essendon Airport 15.2 +0.8 19.8 28th 7.4 +1.7 0.2 9th 67.8 48.4 high 140%
Ferny Creek 11.2 +0.4 16.3 28th 5.7 +0.5 2.8 23rd 197.6 128.3 v high 154%
Frankston (Ballam Park) 14.6   20.0 28th 7.4   2.5 9th 101.6
Melbourne (Olympic Park) 15.7   20.8 28th 8.3   2.6 9th 59.4 50.4 high 118%
Melbourne Airport 15.0 +0.5 19.1 28th 6.8 +0.9 0.4 9th 62.4 44.5 high 140%
Moorabbin Airport 15.5 +0.6 20.8 28th 7.6 +0.7 1.2 10th 81.6 65.1 high 125%
Rhyll 14.5 +0.2 18.9 28th 8.9 +0.5 5.4 9th 122.4 80.7 high 152%
Scoresby Research Institute 15.0 +0.7 19.5 28th 7.0 +0.7 0.1 9th 115.0 80.0 high 144%
Viewbank 15.5 +0.4 20.3 3rd 7.0 +0.7 -0.7 9th 94.0 58.0 v high 162%
West Central (district 87)
Avalon Airport 15.6 +0.2 20.3 28th 6.5 +1.0 -0.1 10th 44.4 42.3 average 105%
Breakwater (Geelong Racecourse) 15.6 +0.4 20.1 28th 7.4 +0.9 1.5 9th 56.4 45.4 average 124%
Laverton RAAF 15.6 +0.7 19.8 28th 7.0 +1.4 0.3 9th 58.8 44.6 high 132%
Point Cook RAAF 15.3   19.7 28th 7.0   0.4 9th 61.4
She Oaks 13.7 +0.4 18.5 28th 5.8 +0.5 -0.7 9th 67.8 44.4 high 153%
North Central (district 88)
Eildon Fire Tower 10.9 +0.4 15.1 27th 4.7 +0.5 1.3 9th 102.4 75.9 high 135%
Lake Eildon 14.1 +0.4 18.6 28th 5.5 +1.3 0.0 9th 132.0 99.0 high 133%
Mangalore Airport 14.4 +0.3 18.2 27th 4.4 +0.5 -1.1 10th 76.2 60.2 high 127%
Maryborough 13.9 0.0 18.0 28th 4.9 +1.0 -1.1 9th 110.5 56.4 v high 196%
Puckapunyal Lyon Hill (Defence) 14.1   17.7 3rd 5.7   1.4 21st 72.6
Puckapunyal West (Defence) 13.3   17.5 28th 5.4   1.4 21st 76.6
Redesdale 13.9 +0.2 18.3 27th 4.1 +1.1 -1.7 21st 98.2 60.0 high 164%
Wallan (Kilmore Gap) 10.7 +0.1 14.5 28th 5.0 +0.8 1.9 23rd 118.2 64.1 v high 184%
Western Plains (district 89)
Ararat Prison 13.3 +0.3 17.9 28th     -1.9 9th 82.0 68.3 high 120%
Ballarat Aerodrome 11.8 +0.4 16.5 28th 4.3 +0.7 -2.5 9th 106.0 74.1 high 143%
Westmere 13.6 +0.4 18.1 28th 4.9 +0.6 -1.4 8th 79.2 59.5 high 133%
West Coast (district 90)
Aireys Inlet 14.4 0.0 20.2 28th 7.6 +0.2 4.4 21st 40.8 65.4 low 62%
Cape Nelson Lighthouse 14.5 0.0 21.1 29th 8.9 +0.2 5.2 9th 109.4 99.2 high 110%
Cape Otway Lighthouse 14.2 +0.4 21.2 29th 9.0 +1.1 4.8 9th 126.0 104.3 high 121%
Casterton 14.0 -0.2 19.3 28th 6.1 +0.8 -0.7 8th 133.0 84.8 high 157%
Colac (Mount Gellibrand) 13.3 +0.7 18.1 29th 5.9 +0.4 2.5 23rd 69.2 60.7 average 114%
Dartmoor 14.6 +0.1 20.2 29th 6.3 +0.5 -0.4 8th 142.6 103.9 high 137%
Hamilton Airport 13.6 +0.3 19.4 29th 5.4 +0.6 -0.2 8th 108.8 78.2 high 139%
Mortlake Racecourse 14.8 +0.8 19.8 28th 5.4 +0.6 -0.6 8th 79.0 66.6 high 119%
Port Fairy AWS 15.3 +0.3 21.5 29th 7.9 +0.6 2.4 8th 87.0 86.9 average 100%
Portland (Cashmore Airport) 14.4 +0.4 20.8 29th 7.0 +0.3 1.6 8th 117.0 107.2 average 109%
Warrnambool Airport NDB 14.6 +0.3 20.0 29th 6.5 +0.7 0.1 8th 97.0 93.5 average 104%

Notes

The Monthly climate summary, usually published in the first week of the following 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 1 pm on Monday 5 September 2022. 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.

Information about Australian Indigenous seasonal calendars is available at the Indigenous Weather Knowledge website.

Further information

Media
(03) 9669 4057

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