Monday, 1 March 2021 - Seasonal Climate Summary for Victoria - Product code IDCKGC26R0

Victoria in summer 2020-21: wetter and cooler than average

Rainfall during summer 2020–2021 was above average for the state as a whole, owing to wetter than average January. Daytime temperatures were cooler than average in parts of south-central and eastern Victoria. Night-time temperatures were close to average across most of the state away from the north-west. In terms of mean temperature, this was the coolest summer since 2004–2005.

Wetter than average

• State-wide, summer rainfall was 14% above the long-term summer mean of 119 mm.
• Rainfall totals for this summer were above average in parts of central-west and south-west Victoria, as well as in the north-east.
• Victoria's rainfall in January was 68% above average, while in December and February it was 24% and 16% below average respectively.
• Some sites had their highest summer daily rainfall on record from rain events close to the beginning and the end of January, associated with low pressure troughs that brought tropical moisture to the state.
• The highest daily rainfall total in Victoria this summer, 194.4 mm, was recorded at Haines Junction (Mount Sabine) on 4 January.
• With a total 586.0 mm for the season Haines Junction (Mount Sabine) was also the wettest site in Victoria this summer.
• Some sites had their highest total summer rainfall on record.
• Above average rainfall was mostly a consequence of a moderate La Nina event that influenced Australia during this summer.

Mostly cool days in central and southern Victoria

• Daytime temperatures were cooler than average in parts of south-central and eastern Victoria.
• The mean maximum temperature for Victoria over summer 2020–2021 was 0.34 °C below average, the coolest since summer 2010–2011.
• The mean maximum temperature in January was above average (an anomaly of +0.28 °C), but in December and February mean maximum temperatures were below average (monthly anomalies of -0.24 °C and -1.06 °C respectively).
• Night-time temperatures were close to average across most of the state away from the north-west.
• Victorian mean minimum temperature during summer was 0.18 °C above average, the coolest since summer 2004–2005.
• Mean minimum temperature in January was nearly 1 °C above the long-term monthly average; in contrast, mean minimum temperatures in December and February were cooler than average (monthly anomalies of −0.09 °C and −0.31 °C respectively).
• The last time Victoria recorded a cooler than average summer mean temperature was in summer 2004–2005.
• Mount Baw Baw had its record lowest summer mean temperature.

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 lower value has gone unreported

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top