Victoria in October 2023

Rainfall

  • Averaged across the state rainfall for October was 69.45 mm, which was 7.5% above the 1961–1990 average.
  • October rainfall totals were above average in northern, central and eastern parts of the state and the highest on record for an area of the West & South Gippsland district. In contrast, rainfall totals were below average across much of western Victoria.
  • On 3rd to 5th, a cold front and a low pressure system generated widespread across rainfall Victoria. Many sites in eastern, central and northern Victoria had their highest October daily rainfall on record on the 4th.
  • Several sites had their highest total October rainfall on record or their highest total October rainfall for at least 20 years.
  • Mt Hotham had its wettest day in the state on the 4th, receiving 198.8 mm in the 24 hours to 9am. This was the highest daily rainfall on record for the site in October, as the previous record for October was 130.2 mm on 31 October 2010. Mt Hotham was also the wettest site overall in the state in October recording a rainfall total of 331.4 mm.

Temperature

  • Averaged across the state, the mean maximum temperature was 0.52 °C above the 1961–1990 average.
  • The mean maximum temperature for most of Victoria was close to average.
  • Mean maximum temperatures were above average in the East Gippsland district and small areas of the North East, West & South Gippsland and Mallee districts. A small pocket of East Gippsland district also had its highest October mean maximum temperatures on record.
  • The mean minimum temperature was below average for most of western and northern Victoria and very much below average for an area of the Wimmera district (lowest 10% of historical observations). In contrast, areas of the South West, Central and the East Gippsland districts recorded October minimum temperatures above average.
  • The coldest night was -5.9 °C at Falls Creek on 26th and many sites across the state also had mean minimum temperatures below average on this night.

Extremes in October 2023
Hottest day 37.5 °C at Mildura Airport on the 2nd
Warmest days on average 24.8 °C at Mildura Airport
Coolest days on average 8.2 °C at Mount Buller
Coldest day -0.4 °C at Mount Buller on the 16th
-0.4 °C at Mount Baw Baw on the 25th
Coldest night -5.9 °C at Falls Creek on the 26th
Coolest nights on average 1.0 °C at Mount Buller
Warmest nights on average 11.8 °C at Gabo Island Lighthouse
Warmest night 20.5 °C at Essendon Airport on the 21st
Warmest on average overall 17.0 °C at Mildura Airport
Coolest on average overall 4.6 °C at Mount Buller
Wettest overall 331.6 mm at Mount Hotham
Wettest day 198.8 mm at Mount Hotham on the 4th
Strongest wind gust 139 km/h at Mount Buller 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 October daily rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Seymour Shire Depot 74.4 on the 4th 66.2 on the 21st in 2005 139
Yea 83.0 on the 4th 66.0 on the 21st in 1953 138
Lake Eildon 108.0 on the 4th 65.8 on the 21st in 1953 136
Mansfield (Post Office) 105.4 on the 4th 72.9 on the 21st in 1953 123
Milawa Brown Bros 68.0 on the 4th 58.4 on the 20th in 1917 120
Strathbogie 97.2 on the 4th 96.4 on the 4th in 1993 106
Tongala 51.6 on the 4th 48.0 on the 24th in 1975 94
Glenmaggie Weir 97.2 on the 4th 90.8 on the 23rd in 1995 86
Mirboo North Water Board 57.1 on the 4th 51.8 on the 21st in 1953 86
Creightons Creek (Baronga (Creighton's C 90.4 on the 4th 78.0 on the 4th in 1993 85
East Sale 99.2 on the 4th 75.7 on the 26th in 1950 81
Darriman (Tarralangi) 84.0 on the 4th 69.9 on the 21st in 1953 70
Cobram (Goulburn Murray) 90.0 on the 4th 50.0 on the 24th in 1975 66
Erica (Parkers Corner) 97.2 on the 4th 93.0 on the 16th in 1976 62
Briagolong 101.0 on the 4th 77.0 on the 24th in 1985 55
Meerlieu (Springvale West) 63.8 on the 4th 49.2 on the 24th in 1985 55
Buln Buln 70.0 on the 4th 46.4 on the 12th in 1990 54
Stratford 105.2 on the 4th 52.0 on the 24th in 1985 54
Mount Buller 106.8 on the 4th 105.0 on the 28th in 2022 42
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) 96.0 on the 4th 42.2 on the 1st in 2021 40
Falls Creek 149.4 on the 4th 112.0 on the 3rd in 1998 30
Mount Moornapa 87.8 on the 4th 81.0 on the 23rd in 1995 30
Yarrawonga 53.0 on the 4th 42.2 on the 20th in 2017 30
Mount Hotham 198.8 on the 4th 130.2 on the 31st in 2010 29
Eildon Fire Tower 97.8 on the 4th 44.8 on the 31st in 2010 28
Mount Nowa Nowa 56.6 on the 5th 56.0 on the 22nd in 2015 28
Shepparton Airport 65.8 on the 4th 48.8 on the 31st in 2010 28
Acheron River @ Taggerty 135.4 on the 4th 72.8 on the 28th in 2001 26
Balook 88.6 on the 4th 55.4 on the 1st in 2021 25
Avon River @ The Channel 108.6 on the 4th 40.0 on the 31st in 2009 23
Boho (Honeysuckle Ck U/S Violet Town) 89.8 on the 4th 80.4 on the 13th in 2022 23
Edi Upper (Black Range Trout Farm) 107.0 on the 4th 62.6 on the 14th in 2022 23
Euroa (Castle Ck at Telford Bridge) 81.6 on the 4th 58.8 on the 14th in 2022 23
Gooram (Hillside) 87.0 on the 4th 58.0 on the 14th in 2022 23
Gooram (Morella) 98.2 on the 4th 58.8 on the 14th in 2022 23
Holland Ck at Wrightley 101.6 on the 4th 63.2 on the 14th in 2022 23
Hurdle Ck at Bobinawarrah 68.6 on the 4th 40.6 on the 14th in 2022 23
Kelvin View (Waterhouse Reservoir) 90.0 on the 4th 58.4 on the 14th in 2022 23
Kithbrook (Balquhain) 94.2 on the 4th 73.8 on the 14th in 2022 23
Mitchell River @ Glenaladale 55.0 on the 4th 52.2 on the 7th in 2009 23
Seven Creeks at D/S Polly McQuinns Weir 104.0 on the 4th 72.2 on the 14th in 2022 23
Seven Creeks at Strathbogie 104.2 on the 4th 73.4 on the 14th in 2022 23
Sheans Creek (Heronslea) 89.2 on the 4th 59.2 on the 14th in 2022 23
Tolmie (Mount Tabletop Repeater) 123.0 on the 4th 66.0 on the 31st in 2010 23
Traralgon EPA 89.4 on the 4th 40.6 on the 15th in 2021 23
Whitfield (King River at Cheshunt) 96.2 on the 4th 75.4 on the 31st in 2010 23
Wonnangatta River @ Waterford 76.4 on the 4th 57.0 on the 16th in 2010 23
Boolarra South 64.6 on the 4th 34.6 on the 29th in 2011 22
Merton (Enderlee) 112.4 on the 4th 40.4 on the 26th in 2022 22
Mount Baw Baw 64.0 on the 5th 46.8 on the 23rd in 2016 22
Myrrhee (Boggy Ck at Angleside) 92.4 on the 4th 79.4 on the 20th in 2017 22
Reeves Knob 103.6 on the 4th 48.6 on the 15th in 2014 22
Traralgon Creek at Koornalla 75.6 on the 4th 64.5 on the 26th in 2003 22
Bloomfield Park (Everton) 65.2 on the 4th 47.2 on the 14th in 2022 21
Bungeet (Highlands) 80.4 on the 4th 48.0 on the 13th in 2022 21
Carboor Upper 86.6 on the 4th 58.8 on the 14th in 2022 21
Halls (Buckland River at Twelve Mile) 167.0 on the 4th 103.0 on the 31st in 2010 21
Marysville Golf Course 105.0 on the 4th 70.8 on the 31st in 2010 21
Ovens River @ Eurobin 91.0 on the 4th 59.0 on the 20th in 2017 21
Rosewhite Fld 76.2 on the 4th 44.0 on the 20th in 2017 21
Greta West 84.8 on the 4th 46.2 on the 14th in 2022 20
Jamieson Licola Rd 138.0 on the 4th 65.6 on the 9th in 2020 20
Stump Hill (Barjarg) 92.2 on the 4th 36.2 on the 9th in 2020 20



Record highest October total rainfall
New record
(mm)
Old
record
Years of
record
Average for
October
Mirboo North Water Board 211.7 186.2 in 1989 102 96.7
Glenmaggie Weir 177.1 174.0 in 1953 86 62.2
East Sale 162.8 156.9 in 1950 81 58.6
Meerlieu (Springvale West) 154.2 111.6 in 1995 54 56.9
Stratford 173.3 112.4 in 1975 54 56.0
Briagolong 171.8 133.6 in 1995 52 63.2
Bairnsdale Airport 128.2 123.0 in 1995 45 62.6
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) 186.8 175.2 in 1989 39 74.2
Nicholson Winery 133.4 132.2 in 2010 38 66.9
Balook 262.0 232.0 in 2022 24 128.1
Traralgon EPA 174.2 116.6 in 2021 23 65.3
Avon River @ The Channel 173.6 142.2 in 2020 22 70.1
Boolarra South 197.2 164.6 in 2013 22 99.1
Traralgon Creek at Koornalla 207.4 138.6 in 2022 22 75.7
Wonnangatta River @ Waterford 143.6 143.2 in 2020 22 74.3
Bairnsdale (Mitchell River @ Rosehill) 123.4 120.0 in 2010 21 63.0

Highest October total rainfall for at least 20 years
Observed
(mm)
Most recent
higher
Average for
October
Mansfield (Post Office) 166.4 169.2 in 1934 69.4
Mount Best (Upper Toora) 217.8 246.0 in 1949* 107.7
Giffard 142.2 176.0 in 1953* 53.2
Darriman (Tarralangi) 145.1 153.9 in 1953* 60.1
Erica (Parkers Corner) 224.2 303.4 in 1976* 113.8
Jindivick 205.0 244.6 in 1989* 125.2
Buln Buln 179.6 202.4 in 1989* 107.7
Bruthen (Post Office) 118.0 132.2 in 1995 74.0
Mount Moornapa 187.4 223.2 in 1995 89.5
Maffra 145.8 175.6 in 1995* 53.8
Wonthaggi 157.7 164.6 in 2000 87.3
Lake Tyers 131.6 136.6 in 1995* 72.7

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




Summary statistics for October 2023
Maximum temperatures
(°C)
Minimum temperatures
(°C)
Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
October
2023
Diff
from
average
Highest for
October
2023
Mean for
October
2023
Diff
from
average
Lowest for
October
2023
Total for
October
2023
Average
for
October
Rank of
October
2023
Fraction of
October
average
North Mallee (district 76)
Mildura Airport 24.8 +0.6 37.5 2nd 9.3 -0.6 3.7 26th 35.8 29.3 high 122%
Ouyen (Post Office) 23.8 -0.1 35.3 20th 8.6 -0.3 1.8 26th 18.2 34.7 average 52%
Walpeup Research 24.5 +1.1 35.7 20th 8.3 -0.6 0.7 26th 25.8 34.1 average 76%
South Mallee (district 77)
Hopetoun Airport 23.7 -0.8 34.6 20th 7.2 -0.4 0.3 26th 6.8 27.3 average 25%
Swan Hill Aerodrome 23.6 -0.6 33.1 2nd 7.4 -0.7 2.1 23rd 34.2 28.0 high 122%
North Wimmera (district 78)
Kellalac (Warracknabeal Airport) 22.2   33.3 20th 6.1   0.0 26th 20.0
Nhill Aerodrome 21.8 -0.6 33.8 20th 6.6 -0.8 0.8 7th 15.2 34.7 average 44%
South Wimmera (district 79)
Edenhope Airport 19.6 -0.8 32.1 20th 6.2 -1.6 0.0 26th 24.4 41.8 low 58%
Grampians (Mount William) 11.2 -1.5 21.9 20th 3.1 -0.9 -1.2 26th 89.8 93.6 average 96%
Horsham Aerodrome 21.4 -0.3 32.0 20th 5.0 -0.7 -0.6 27th 24.4 35.2 average 69%
Kanagulk 19.6 -0.6 31.7 20th 5.9 -0.9 1.9 8th 21.6 37.5 average 58%
Longerenong 21.8 +0.8 33.3 20th 5.4 -1.2 -0.8 26th 15.6 41.4 low 38%
Pyrenees (Ben Nevis) 14.8 -1.0 24.9 20th 5.0 -1.1 0.5 26th 36.4 58.8 average 62%
Stawell Aerodrome 19.7 -0.3 30.3 20th 7.2 -0.4 1.2 23rd 19.8 39.7 average 50%
Lower North (district 80)
Charlton 22.7 -0.8 31.6 20th 6.6 -1.1 1.0 26th 28.8 32.3 average 89%
Kerang 22.9 0.0 32.2 29th 8.4 -0.4 2.9 26th 38.6 37.3 average 103%
Kyabram 21.4 -0.2 30.5 29th 7.3 -0.3 1.7 26th 61.6 42.1 high 146%
Upper North (district 81)
Bendigo Airport 20.7 -0.2 29.3 29th 6.9 0.0 0.9 25th 55.6 47.0 average 118%
Shepparton Airport 21.0 -1.2 30.5 29th 7.4 -0.2 3.0 26th 75.0 36.8 high 204%
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag 20.5 -0.7 30.3 29th 7.5 -0.1 2.7 8th 69.6 47.5 high 147%
Yarrawonga 21.5 -1.2 31.0 29th 6.4 -1.1 0.9 26th 72.8 42.1 high 173%
Lower Northeast (district 82)
Benalla Airport 20.1 -2.1 29.3 29th 6.3 -0.9 1.3 26th 106.7 50.9 high 210%
Corryong Airport 21.2 -0.8 29.0 21st 4.9 -0.2 1.0 7th 18.4 50.7 low 36%
Hunters Hill 15.7 -0.5 24.3 21st 6.7 -0.5 0.1 26th 99.2 95.3 average 104%
Rutherglen Research 20.9 -0.1 30.1 29th 4.6 -1.6 -0.5 17th 64.6 58.1 average 111%
Strathbogie 17.7 -0.3 25.2 29th 4.5 -0.8 -1.0 2nd 122.6 85.7 high 143%
Wangaratta Aero 20.4 -1.1 29.4 29th 5.8 -0.7 1.2 2nd 73.6 52.1 high 141%
Upper Northeast (district 83)
Edi Upper 18.9 -1.4 27.2 29th 6.3 -0.8 1.2 26th 139.3 79.9 high 174%
Falls Creek 8.8 -0.6 16.9 20th 1.1 -0.8 -5.9 26th 291.6 142.3 v high 205%
Mount Buller 8.2 -0.5 16.4 20th 1.0 -0.5 -5.4 26th 258.2 147.7 high 175%
Omeo 18.7 -0.2 26.1 1st 4.2 -1.0 -0.5 18th 109.4 63.2 high 173%
East Gippsland (district 84)
Combienbar AWS 19.0 +0.5 28.6 1st 7.8 -0.3 2.8 17th 102.4 96.6 average 106%
Gabo Island Lighthouse 19.0 +1.8 33.0 1st 11.8 +0.6 8.4 26th 94.6 74.6 high 127%
Gelantipy 17.1 +0.5 27.4 2nd 5.6 -0.5 0.9 16th 93.0 71.6 high 130%
Lakes Entrance (Eastern Beach Road) 20.3 +0.8 31.4 1st 9.3 -0.3 4.5 18th 127.8 65.6 high 195%
Mallacoota 20.0 +0.9 33.6 1st 10.4 +0.4 5.3 11th 98.8 80.6 high 123%
Mount Nowa Nowa 20.1 +1.0 30.1 21st 8.9 -0.3 4.7 26th 122.8 76.4 v high 161%
Orbost 20.9 +0.9 32.0 1st 9.1 -0.1 5.2 18th 47.4 62.8 average 75%
West Gippsland (district 85)
Bairnsdale Airport 20.7 +0.8 32.5 1st 7.8 +0.2 2.6 2nd 128.2 62.6 highest 205%
Corner Inlet (Yanakie) 17.4 -0.8 27.3 20th 9.0 -0.3 3.9 11th 146.2 79.7 v high 183%
East Sale 19.9 +0.5 28.2 1st 7.9 +0.3 3.0 2nd 162.8 58.6 highest 278%
East Sale Airport 20.3   28.7 1st 7.7   2.1 2nd 166.6
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) 19.4 -0.2 27.9 2nd 7.0 -0.5 2.2 2nd 186.8 74.2 highest 252%
Mount Baw Baw 8.3 -0.6 17.5 20th 1.4 -0.3 -3.9 25th 199.0 154.5 high 129%
Mount Moornapa 19.7 +0.9 30.1 21st 8.2 -0.1 4.4 16th 187.4 89.5 v high 209%
Nilma North (Warragul) 18.4   27.9 2nd 7.4   2.0 8th 171.4 103.9 high 165%
Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse 16.4 +0.6 27.6 2nd 11.0 +1.0 8.0 31st 166.6 92.2 v high 181%
Yarram Airport 19.3 -0.4 28.8 2nd 7.4 -0.3 1.1 2nd 137.4 54.7 v high 251%
East Central (district 86)
Cerberus 18.2 -0.4 28.2 20th 8.9 0.0 3.0 2nd 72.4 68.2 average 106%
Coldstream 19.3 -0.5 28.2 29th 7.0 +0.2 0.8 8th 121.8 76.0 high 160%
Essendon Airport 19.7 +0.2 29.1 20th 9.6 +1.2 5.2 2nd 64.8 60.4 average 107%
Ferny Creek 15.9 -0.9 25.2 20th 7.6 -0.5 2.9 25th 196.4 143.4 high 137%
Frankston (Ballam Park) 18.6   28.4 20th 9.5   5.1 26th 42.6
Melbourne (Olympic Park) 19.2 -1.4 29.5 20th 10.4 -0.5 5.8 8th 76.0 64.0 high 119%
Melbourne Airport 19.9 +0.4 28.9 20th 8.7 +0.2 2.9 2nd 50.4 55.9 average 90%
Moorabbin Airport 19.1 -0.2 28.7 20th 9.7 +0.4 3.8 8th 79.2 70.5 average 112%
Rhyll 18.4 +0.3 27.7 20th 10.7 0.0 7.0 25th 88.8 63.6 high 140%
Scoresby Research Institute 18.7 -0.5 28.4 2nd 8.7 -0.1 3.1 2nd 98.8 85.2 average 116%
Viewbank 19.8 -0.7 28.8 20th 8.8 -0.2 2.7 8th 102.6 72.7 high 141%
West Central (district 87)
Avalon Airport 20.1 -0.1 28.9 11th 8.3 +0.2 3.2 2nd 41.0 47.9 average 86%
Breakwater (Geelong Racecourse) 19.4 -0.8 28.8 20th 9.0 -0.3 4.5 2nd 52.0 52.5 average 99%
Laverton RAAF 19.8 +0.4 30.3 20th 9.4 +1.0 3.7 2nd 73.4 56.2 high 131%
Point Cook RAAF 19.2   28.4 11th 9.5   4.2 2nd 65.0
She Oaks 18.3 0.0 29.0 20th 7.0 -0.3 1.3 2nd 43.2 59.2 average 73%
North Central (district 88)
Castlemaine Prison 19.0 -0.4 27.5 20th 6.6 -0.2 1.0 25th 51.8 58.9 average 88%
Eildon Fire Tower 16.2 -0.8 24.4 29th 6.8 -0.7 1.8 26th 139.4 57.7 v high 242%
Lake Eildon 19.9 -0.2 29.0 29th 7.3 0.0 2.4 7th 158.6 79.2 v high 200%
Mangalore Airport 20.5 -0.1 29.3 29th 6.4 -0.9 1.9 26th 78.0 49.0 high 159%
Maryborough 20.2 +0.1 29.3 20th 6.8 -0.4 2.0 25th 32.6 49.2 average 66%
Puckapunyal Lyon Hill (Defence) 20.3   29.8 29th 8.0   4.4 5th 78.0
Puckapunyal West (Defence) 19.2   27.9 29th 7.4   4.5 7th 11.6
Wallan (Kilmore Gap) 16.1 -0.2 25.0 29th 6.8 -0.1 2.5 26th 66.6 57.7 average 115%
Western Plains (district 89)
Ararat Prison 19.0 +0.6 29.1 20th 5.9 -0.2 1.0 2nd 24.2 56.6 low 43%
Ballarat Aerodrome 16.8 +0.1 25.4 20th 5.4 -0.8 0.9 2nd 47.8 66.9 average 71%
Westmere 18.9 -0.3 29.5 20th 5.0 -0.5 -1.6 29th 27.4 49.3 average 56%
West Coast (district 90)
Aireys Inlet 18.4 +0.2 27.9 20th 9.3 -0.1 5.5 26th 42.4 63.7 average 67%
Cape Nelson Lighthouse 17.2 -0.1 30.4 11th 10.4 -0.1 5.9 2nd 33.6 51.9 low 65%
Cape Otway Lighthouse 16.6 -0.4 27.2 11th 10.1 +0.5 7.3 25th 68.4 80.8 average 85%
Casterton 18.3 -0.8 30.3 20th 6.1 -1.0 0.9 26th 40.4 53.2 average 76%
Colac (Mount Gellibrand) 17.0 -0.3 27.4 20th 7.6 0.0 3.2 26th 56.8 53.1 average 107%
Dartmoor 18.9 -0.3 31.6 20th 6.9 -0.9 1.7 4th 43.4 60.3 average 72%
Hamilton Airport 18.0 +0.1 29.8 20th 6.0 -0.6 0.5 29th 39.6 57.1 average 69%
Mortlake Racecourse 18.6 +0.4 30.4 20th 6.4 -0.1 0.9 29th 47.4 56.2 average 84%
Port Fairy AWS 18.6 +0.3 28.6 11th 9.6 +0.1 6.4 2nd 43.2 56.8 average 76%
Portland Airport 17.3 +0.3 28.9 11th 7.9 -0.5 2.0 2nd 44.6 63.8 average 70%
Warrnambool Airport NDB 17.9 -0.1 28.7 20th 7.4 -0.1 2.7 29th 64.0 70.7 average 91%

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.

This statement has been prepared based on information available at 11 am on Wednesday 1 November 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.

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


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Climate