Victoria in May 2023

Rainfall

  • The Victoria area-averaged rainfall for May was 48.28 mm, which was 27% below the 1961–1990 May average of 66.5 mm.
  • May rainfall totals were below average in the large parts of the Mallee and Wimmera, and in areas of the North East and North Central districts, while in parts of the Central and Gippsland districts rainfall totals were above average.
  • Several sites in the Greater Melbourne area had their highest total May rainfall for at least 20 years.

Temperature

  • The Victoria area-average maximum temperature for May was 0.58 °C below the 1961–1990 average, while the mean minimum temperature was 0.69 °C below average.
  • Maximum temperatures were below average for most of central, western and eastern Victoria.
  • Minimum temperatures were below average across the state's north, but above average along the west coast of the state.
  • Some sites in the East Gippsland district had their lowest mean daily maximum temperature on record.
  • Some sites across Victoria had their lowest mean daily minimum temperature on record.

Extremes in May 2023
Hottest day 25.5 °C at Mildura Airport on the 14th
Warmest days on average 19.3 °C at Mildura Airport
Coolest days on average 3.0 °C at Mount Hotham
Coldest day -3.2 °C at Mount Hotham on the 7th
Coldest night -6.9 °C at Mount Hotham on the 8th
Coolest nights on average -1.8 °C at Mount Hotham
Warmest nights on average 11.1 °C at Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse
Warmest night 14.3 °C at Cape Nelson Lighthouse on the 31st
Warmest on average overall 13.3 °C at Cape Nelson Lighthouse
Coolest on average overall 0.6 °C at Mount Hotham
Wettest overall 200.6 mm at Mount Baw Baw
Wettest day 54.0 mm at Cape Liptrap (Illawong) on the 26th
Strongest wind gust 137 km/h at Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse on the 21st

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


Highest May total rainfall for at least 20 years
Observed
(mm)
Most recent
higher
Average for
May
Melbourne Botanical Gardens 88.4 107.6 in 1981* 59.8
Eltham 91.0 109.2 in 1987* 65.5
Viewbank 88.0 144.0 in 2000 55.2

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




Record lowest May daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
May
Gelantipy 3.3 on the 7th 5.5 on the 28th in 2000 31 13.0
Mount Moornapa 6.5 on the 7th 7.0 on the 30th in 2000 30 15.0
Combienbar AWS 5.3 on the 7th 5.9 on the 15th in 2021 29 14.4
Mount Nowa Nowa 6.8 on the 7th 8.9 on the 11th in 2011 28 15.9
Orbost 11.2 on the 7th = 11.2 on the 26th in 2016 23 17.8



Record lowest May mean daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
May
Lake Eildon 14.2 14.3 in 1970 53 16.1
Hunters Hill 9.4 9.5 in 2000 29 11.8
Eildon Fire Tower 11.5 = 11.5 in 2011 26 13.2

Lowest May mean daily maximum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
lower
Average for
May
Wangaratta Aero 15.3 15.0 in 1987 17.4
Falls Creek 3.8 2.8 in 1994* 5.9
Rutherglen Research 15.8 15.5 in 2000 17.0
Strathbogie 12.9 12.7 in 2000 14.4
Yarrawonga 16.6 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
Mangalore Airport 3.9 4.1 in 1964 64 6.0
Mount Buller -1.1 -0.9 in 2011 38 1.0
Mount Hotham -1.8 -1.7 in 2004 31 -0.1
Gelantipy 3.3 4.0 in 2012 30 4.9
Hunters Hill 3.6 4.0 in 2011 29 5.5
Wallan (Kilmore Gap) 5.7 = 5.7 in 2006 29 6.9
Mount Nowa Nowa 7.2 7.5 in 2011 27 8.7
Mount Baw Baw -0.1 0.0 in 2012 25 1.5

Lowest May mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
lower
Average for
May
Mallacoota 8.5 8.0 in 1994 9.3
Falls Creek -1.4 -1.7 in 1994* 0.6

* 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 temperature
New record
(°C)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
May
Mangalore Airport 9.8 10.0 in 1964 64 11.3
Mount Buller 1.5 1.7 in 2020 38 3.5
Mount Hotham 0.6 0.7 in 2006 31 2.2
Hunters Hill 6.4 6.9 in 2000 29 8.6
Eildon Fire Tower 8.5 = 8.5 in 2011 26 9.9
Mount Baw Baw 2.1 = 2.1 in 2006 25 4.0

Lowest May mean temperature for at least 20 years
Observed
(°C)
Most recent
lower
Average for
May
Strathbogie 7.8 7.7 in 1984* 9.0
Falls Creek 1.2 0.6 in 1994* 3.3

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




Summary statistics for May 2023
Maximum temperatures
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
(°C)
Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
May
2023
Diff
from
average
Highest for
May
2023
Mean for
May
2023
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
May
2023
Total for
May
2023
Average
for
May
Rank of
May
2023
Fraction of
May
average
North Mallee (district 76)
Mildura Airport 19.3 +0.2 25.5 14th 5.8 -1.6 0.2 23rd 12.4 25.1 average 49%
Ouyen (Post Office) 18.6 -0.3 24.4 14th 5.6 -1.6 0.6 7th 17.0 31.3 average 54%
Walpeup Research 18.7 +0.3 24.7 15th 6.1 -1.7 0.3 8th 17.8 30.3 average 59%
South Mallee (district 77)
Hopetoun Airport 18.3 -0.5 24.0 15th 4.1 -2.0 -2.2 23rd 14.6 25.8 low 57%
Swan Hill Aerodrome 18.1 -0.7 23.8 14th 5.3 -1.1 0.5 23rd 12.4 25.5 low 49%
North Wimmera (district 78)
Kellalac (Warracknabeal Airport) 17.4   23.1 15th 5.4   -0.4 22nd 25.8
Nhill Aerodrome 16.5 -1.3 23.1 15th 6.1 -0.7 0.0 17th 30.4 30.7 average 99%
South Wimmera (district 79)
Edenhope Airport 15.5 -1.2 20.0 15th 7.2 -0.1 0.4 7th 42.0 46.9 average 90%
Grampians (Mount William) 7.0 -1.4 12.8 14th 2.7 -0.9 -1.4 7th 154.0 132.4 high 116%
Horsham Aerodrome 16.5 -1.1 23.3 15th 4.5 -0.8 -1.1 17th 26.2 34.2 average 77%
Kanagulk 15.5 -1.0 20.5 15th 5.8 -0.6 -0.7 17th 29.4 43.4 low 68%
Longerenong 16.8 -0.3 23.3 15th 5.2 -0.7 -0.1 8th 14.8 42.4 low 35%
Pyrenees (Ben Nevis) 9.4 -1.6 14.9 15th 4.4 -1.0 -0.1 7th 69.6 74.6 average 93%
Stawell Aerodrome 15.1 -1.1 20.4 15th 5.5 -0.9 0.2 22nd 16.2 41.5 low 39%
Lower North (district 80)
Charlton 17.3 -0.7 23.5 15th 4.8 -1.6 -0.8 22nd 21.8 34.1 low 64%
Echuca Aerodrome 17.0 -0.6 21.9 15th 5.0 -1.6 -1.8 23rd 23.6 40.3 average 59%
Kerang 17.5 -0.6 22.8 14th 6.0 -0.7 1.4 22nd 11.8 35.5 low 33%
Kyabram 16.6 -0.7 22.0 14th 5.2 -0.9 -1.2 23rd 24.8 41.3 average 60%
Upper North (district 81)
Bendigo Airport 15.6 -1.0 20.6 15th 4.5 -0.8 -1.1 22nd 28.2 46.3 low 61%
Shepparton Airport 16.5 -1.1 21.3 14th 4.8 -0.8 -1.0 23rd 27.2 33.8 average 80%
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag 16.3 -0.9 21.2 14th 4.5 -1.2 -1.6 23rd 27.2 44.1 average 62%
Yarrawonga 16.6 -1.5 20.9 14th 5.2 -0.9 0.1 19th 23.6 35.6 average 66%
Lower Northeast (district 82)
Benalla Airport 15.4 -2.0 20.2 13th 4.0 -1.2 -1.9 19th 56.4 46.7 high 121%
Hunters Hill 9.4 -2.4 15.3 13th 3.6 -1.9 -0.6 8th 101.6 100.7 average 101%
Rutherglen Research 15.8 -1.2 21.2 13th 2.8 -1.5 -4.1 19th 39.6 51.4 average 77%
Strathbogie 12.9 -1.5 18.0 13th 2.8 -0.8 -3.1 19th 80.6 94.9 average 85%
Wangaratta Aero 15.3 -2.1 20.2 13th 4.0 -0.3 -2.7 19th 46.8 55.8 average 84%
Upper Northeast (district 83)
Falls Creek 3.8 -2.1 10.2 10th -1.4 -2.0 -6.4 8th 140.0 103.8 high 135%
Mount Buller 4.2 -1.9 10.8 10th -1.1 -2.1 -5.4 8th 159.8 141.9 average 113%
Mount Hotham 3.0 -1.6 7.4 10th -1.8 -1.7 -6.9 8th 134.0 138.2 average 97%
Omeo 12.7 -1.8 16.6 12th 1.7 -1.1 -4.3 22nd 59.4 39.3 high 151%
East Gippsland (district 84)
Combienbar AWS 12.6 -1.8 17.0 31st 6.7 -1.1 1.6 8th 97.8 68.8 high 142%
Gabo Island Lighthouse 16.6 -0.3 20.4 15th     9.0 7th 124.6 97.9 high 127%
Gelantipy 11.6 -1.4 16.1 30th 3.3 -1.6 -0.1 28th 74.0 48.2 high 154%
Lakes Entrance (Eastern Beach Road) 16.9 -1.0 22.0 15th 8.6 +0.1 4.5 12th 64.7 43.2 average 150%
Mallacoota 16.6 -1.0 21.1 15th 8.5 -0.8 4.0 28th 101.0 82.8 high 122%
Mount Nowa Nowa 14.5 -1.4 20.0 15th 7.2 -1.5 4.2 8th 82.0 60.4 high 136%
Orbost 16.6 -1.2 21.1 30th 7.8 -0.6 3.4 18th 71.4 58.2 high 123%
West Gippsland (district 85)
Bairnsdale Airport 16.5 -1.1 21.2 15th 6.3 -0.4 1.5 24th 43.0 44.3 average 97%
Corner Inlet (Yanakie) 15.7 -1.1 20.6 15th 8.5 -0.1 1.5 17th 125.4 93.1 high 135%
East Sale 16.3 -0.6 21.5 15th 6.2 -0.1 1.5 24th 42.8 49.6 average 86%
East Sale Airport 16.4   21.6 15th 6.1   1.4 17th 46.2
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) 15.9 -1.0 21.1 15th 6.3 -0.1 -1.0 17th 73.2 55.0 high 133%
Mount Baw Baw 4.5 -1.9 11.2 11th -0.1 -1.6 -3.2 17th 200.6 125.8 high 159%
Mount Moornapa 13.8 -1.2 19.3 15th 7.0 -0.9 3.7 7th 68.0 48.7 high 140%
Nilma North (Warragul) 15.3   20.4 15th 6.7   -0.6 17th 92.2
Pound Creek 16.0 -1.0 20.8 15th 8.2 +0.2 0.7 17th 150.2 99.5 high 151%
Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse 14.4 -0.6 17.0 25th 11.1 0.0 8.9 7th 128.8 114.7 average 112%
Yarram Airport 16.5 -0.8 21.5 15th 6.7 0.0 0.9 18th 40.2 46.9 average 86%
East Central (district 86)
Cerberus 16.1 -0.6 21.7 15th 8.6 +0.2 3.3 1st 95.8 69.9 high 137%
Coldstream 15.5 -1.2 20.2 15th 5.5 -0.1 -1.7 17th 89.0 68.9 high 129%
Essendon Airport 16.0 -0.4 21.4 15th 8.2 +0.3 3.8 17th 60.2 48.8 high 123%
Ferny Creek 11.7 -1.2 17.4 15th 6.6 -1.2 2.7 7th 156.2 129.1 average 121%
Frankston (Ballam Park) 15.8   21.4 15th 9.1   4.4 7th 85.6
Melbourne (Olympic Park) 16.4   22.1 15th 9.0   4.7 17th 77.8 50.8 v high 153%
Melbourne Airport 16.1 -0.6 21.4 15th 7.4 -0.9 2.2 17th 42.8 40.2 average 106%
Moorabbin Airport 16.5 -0.5 22.0 15th 8.9 +0.2 3.1 17th 91.8 68.5 high 134%
Rhyll 15.8 -0.5 19.6 15th 10.4 -0.3 8.3 8th 98.0 74.8 high 131%
Scoresby Research Institute 15.9 -0.5 21.1 15th 7.8 -0.5 2.7 18th 101.2 86.4 average 117%
Viewbank 16.0 -1.2 20.8 14th 7.4 -0.5 1.2 17th 88.0 55.2 v high 159%
West Central (district 87)
Avalon Airport 16.4 -0.9 22.5 15th 7.7 +0.1 3.3 17th 39.0 37.4 average 104%
Breakwater (Geelong Racecourse) 16.5 -0.9 22.2 15th 8.6 +0.1 4.3 1st 39.0 46.5 average 84%
Laverton RAAF 16.5 -0.4 22.0 15th 7.8 0.0 3.1 17th 47.6 45.7 average 104%
Point Cook RAAF 16.4   22.4 15th 8.0   3.8 19th 47.6
She Oaks 14.5 -1.1 19.8 15th 7.1 -0.2 2.7 17th 36.8 38.9 average 95%
North Central (district 88)
Eildon Fire Tower 11.5 -1.7 16.9 13th 5.5 -1.1 1.9 7th
Lake Eildon 14.2 -1.9 19.4 14th 5.4 -0.6 0.2 18th 93.6 78.2 average 120%
Mangalore Airport 15.7 -1.0 20.2 14th 3.9 -2.1 -2.2 22nd 32.6 52.9 average 62%
Maryborough 15.2 -1.0 20.5 15th 5.2 -0.9 1.2 22nd 22.6 48.8 low 46%
Puckapunyal Lyon Hill (Defence) 15.4   20.4 14th 5.8   0.8 19th 36.4
Puckapunyal West (Defence) 14.6   19.1 15th 6.0   2.6 24th 48.0
Redesdale 15.6 -0.5 19.6 15th 3.4 -1.7 -1.4 22nd 37.8 55.6 average 68%
Wallan (Kilmore Gap) 11.8 -1.1 16.4 2nd 5.7 -1.2 2.1 7th 61.0 59.2 average 103%
Western Plains (district 89)
Ararat Prison 14.5 -1.0 19.3 15th 5.1 -0.4 -1.1 17th 39.0 53.9 low 72%
Ballarat Aerodrome 12.9 -0.8 18.1 15th 4.6 -1.1 0.3 11th 54.8 64.2 average 85%
Westmere 14.5 -1.2 20.4 15th 6.6 +0.2 0.4 17th 29.6 56.2 low 53%
West Coast (district 90)
Aireys Inlet 15.4 -0.9 21.2 15th 9.3 -0.5 5.6 7th 53.4 55.8 average 96%
Cape Nelson Lighthouse 15.7 -0.5 20.8 14th 11.0 +0.2 6.2 13th 110.6 75.2 high 147%
Cape Otway Lighthouse 15.0 -0.6 18.8 15th 10.3 +0.2 6.5 13th 108.6 91.6 high 119%
Casterton 15.2 -1.0 19.7 15th 7.0 -0.2 0.6 13th 55.2 67.6 average 82%
Colac (Mount Gellibrand) 14.0 -1.1 20.4 15th 7.6 -0.3 2.9 7th 54.6 46.7 average 117%
Dartmoor 15.6 -0.7 19.4 15th 7.7 +0.2 0.8 13th 76.0 85.2 average 89%
Hamilton Airport 14.5 -1.1 19.1 15th 6.6 0.0 1.3 17th 52.8 54.5 average 97%
Mortlake Racecourse 15.1 -1.2 20.1 15th 6.7 +0.1 -0.6 17th 62.8 57.6 average 109%
Port Fairy AWS 16.2 -0.6 21.1 14th 9.2 +0.1 3.9 13th 87.8 70.0 high 125%
Portland Airport 15.4 -0.5 19.4 14th 9.1 +0.7 3.8 13th 123.4 84.6 high 146%
Warrnambool Airport NDB 15.4 -1.1 20.0 14th 7.9 +0.4 0.6 13th 96.0 76.6 high 125%

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 1 pm on Thursday 1 June 2023. 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.


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Climate