Tuesday, 2 April 2013 - Monthly Climate Summary for Melbourne Metropolitan Area and Environs - Product code IDCKGC2xx0

Melbourne Metropolitan Area and Environs in March 2013: Much warmer than usual

Highlights:

Record breaking heatwave (nine consecutive days above 30°C in Melbourne was a record for the city at any time of the year)

35.6°C on the 27^th of March, its latest 35+ day in more than 70 years

Rainfall slightly less than that usually received.

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Summary

Located in the Central District at the head of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne is Victoria's State Capital. Here, overnight minimum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 16.7°C (departure from normal 3.5°C). That the overnight temperatures in Melbourne are higher than those in most surrounding localities is a consequence of the city being under the influence of the effect of urbanisation (cities are usually warmer than their rural surroundings, especially at night, because of heat stored in bricks and concrete and trapped between close-packed buildings). Daytime maximum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 27.6°C (departure from normal 3.7°C). Total rainfall for the month was 42.2 mm, this being slightly less than that usually recorded (normal 50.3 mm, percentage of normal received 84%).

Some 20 kilometres northwest of the Melbourne city centre,  Melbourne Airport, is typical of Melbourne suburbs. Here, overnight minimum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 14.7°C (departure from normal 2.1°C). Daytime maximum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 26.9°C (departure from normal 2.9°C). Total rainfall for the month was 43.2 mm, this being slightly more than that usually recorded (normal 37.8 mm, percentage of normal received 114%).

Selected Melbourne suburbs

In the suburb of Essendon, which is located some 15 kilometres to the northwest of the city centre, overnight minimum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 15.1°C (departure from normal 2.7°C). Daytime maximum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 27.3°C (departure from normal 3.4°C). Total rainfall for the month was 58.2 mm, this being more than that usually recorded (normal 40.2 mm, percentage of normal received 145%).

The suburb of Laverton is located some 30 kilometres to the southwest of the city centre, and is often under the drying influence of the rain shadow from the ranges of western Victoria. Here, overnight minimum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 14.7°C (departure from normal 2.2°C). Daytime maximum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 26.8°C (departure from normal 3.2°C). Total rainfall for the month was 30.2 mm, this being slightly less than that usually recorded (normal 35.3 mm, percentage of normal received 86%).

In the suburb of Bundoora, which is located some 20 kilometres to the northeast of the city centre, overnight minimum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 14°C (departure from normal 1.5°C). Daytime maximum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 26.5°C (departure from normal 2.4°C). Total rainfall for the month was 48.5 mm, this being close to that usually recorded (normal 44.3 mm, percentage of normal received 107%).

In the suburb of Moorabbin, which is located some 20 kilometres to the southeast of the city centre, overnight minimum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 15°C (departure from normal 2.2°C). Daytime maximum temperatures were much warmer than those usually experienced and averaged 26.9°C (departure from normal 3.3°C). Total rainfall for the month was 49 mm, this being close to that usually recorded (normal 44.8 mm, percentage of normal received 109%).

Records & Extremes

Some sites had their lowest total March rainfall for at least 10 years.

Some sites had their highest March mean daily maximum temperature on record.

Some sites had their highest March mean daily maximum temperature for at least 10 years.

Minimum temperature

Some sites had their warmest March night (highest daily minimum temperature) on record.

Some sites had their highest March mean daily minimum temperature on record.

Some sites had their highest March mean daily minimum temperature for at least 10 years.

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

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

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

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

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Records Summaries Important notes the top