Thursday, 1 June 2017 - Seasonal Climate Summary for Victoria - Product code IDCKGC26R0

Victoria in autumn 2017: warm with average rainfall

Both mean daytime and overnight temperatures were warmer than usual across Victoria during autumn, with mild temperatures lasting well into May. Rainfall totals for autumn were near average across the State, though tending above average across central and western districts and below average in parts of eastern Victoria.

Average rainfall for the State but wet in the west

  • The season begun with close to average rainfall in March, while rainfall in April was above average in most of Victoria
  • The heaviest rainfall in April fell to 9 am on the 10th, delivering many sites their highest autumn daily rainfall on record
  • In May much of the State had below average rainfall
  • Autumn rainfall in parts of West and East Gippsland was below average, while in large areas in the west of the State rainfall was above average
  • For Victoria as a whole, rainfall this season was close to the long-term autumn mean of 156.8 mm
  • Durdidwarrah was the wettest place in Victoria during autumn, recording 403.8 mm
  • Several places had their highest total autumn rainfall on record; many other sites had their highest total autumn rainfall for at least 20 years

Another warm autumn

  • Victoria's mean temperature for autumn was 1.08 °C above average, the 4th warmest autumn on record
  • During this season daytime temperatures very much above average were recorded in most of Victoria, with the exception of west-central, southwest, and northeast of the State; the mean daytime temperature for Victoria over autumn was 1.21 °C above average, 8th highest on record
  • Daytime temperatures in March were 2nd highest on record (monthly anomaly of 3.03 °C); April and May daytime temperatures were also above average, but less extreme
  • The highest temperature recorded in Victoria during autumn was 38.0 °C at Walpeup Research on 2nd March
  • Some places had their highest autumn mean daily maximum temperature on record
  • Victorian mean overnight temperature during autumn was 0.95 °C above average
  • Overnight temperatures in March and April were above average, 2.61 °C (3rd highest on record) and 0.48 °C respectively; in contrast overnight temperatures in May were cooler than average, with an anomaly of −0.41 °C

Further information

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Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes in autumn 2017
Hottest day 38.0 °C at Walpeup Research on 2 Mar
Warmest days on average 25.4 °C at Mildura Airport
Coolest days on average 9.5 °C at Mount Hotham
Coldest day -3.3 °C at Mount Hotham on 31 May
Coldest night -6.3 °C at Mount Hotham on 3 May
Coolest nights on average 3.3 °C at Mount Hotham
Warmest nights on average 14.2 °C at Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse
Warmest night 23.2 °C at Echuca Aerodrome on 16 Mar
Warmest on average overall 18.4 °C at Mildura Airport
18.4 °C at Walpeup Research
Coolest on average overall 6.4 °C at Mount Hotham
Wettest overall 403.8 mm at Durdidwarrah
Wettest day 103.2 mm at Woomelang on 21 Apr
Strongest wind gust 120 km/h at Falls Creek on 9 Apr
120 km/h at Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse on 6 May

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

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 autumn daily rainfall
New record
(mm)		 Old
record		 Years of
record
Bungaree (Kirks Reservoir) 72.6 on 10 Apr 69.9 on 30 Apr 1892 136
Moorabool Reservoir 80.4 on 10 Apr 70.2 on 8 Apr 1977 105
Ouyen (Post Office) 69.8 on 20 Apr 61.6 on 10 May 1989 105
Melton Reservoir 91.8 on 10 Apr 65.0 on 8 Apr 1977 69
Glen Park (White Swan Reservoir) 75.8 on 10 Apr 75.0 on 6 May 1977 65
Drysdale (Brimdale) 80.0 on 10 Apr 55.6 on 22 Mar 1970 50
Avalon Airport 57.6 on 10 Apr 48.0 on 23 Apr 2001 38
Strath Creek 62.0 on 21 Mar 53.4 on 6 May 1988 35
Bullengarook South 77.0 on 10 Apr 58.0 on 24 Apr 2001 25
Aireys Inlet 100.8 on 22 Mar 88.0 on 22 Apr 2001 23
Newham (Cobaw) 64.8 on 10 Apr 39.6 on 16 Mar 2012 23
Port Fairy AWS 51.2 on 22 Mar 50.6 on 11 Apr 2011 23
Buangor (Craigie) 42.6 on 25 Apr 34.6 on 14 Apr 2000 22
Hopetoun (Wirrbibial Downs) 40.6 on 21 Apr 34.6 on 1 Mar 2012 20


Record highest autumn total rainfall
New record
(mm)		 Old
record		 Years of
record		 Average for
autumn
Durdidwarrah 403.8 366.0 in 1913 143 163.6
Derrinallum (Craigmore) 231.8 225.4 in 1983 118 131.8
Hamilton Airport 206.8 191.0 in 1992 33 128.9
Mortlake Racecourse 209.4 184.4 in 2011 23 129.5

Highest autumn total rainfall for at least 20 years
Observed
(mm)		 Most recent
higher		 Average for
autumn
Lismore (Post Office) 232.4 236.1 in 1960* 138.9
Rochester 194.8 298.7 in 1974 106.2
Rokewood 210.0 240.0 in 1974* 126.3
Derrinallum (Post Office) 232.6 235.2 in 1983 144.9
Echuca Aerodrome 188.9 195.4 in 1983* 104.1
Balmoral (Post Office) 191.5 224.4 in 1983* 135.1
Merino 242.2 297.0 in 1983* 162.7
Rupanyup (Post Office) 158.2 200.6 in 1983* 94.9
Berriwillock 141.2 232.8 in 1989 81.8
Eppalock Reservoir 201.2 229.4 in 1989 115.7
Strath Creek 235.6 286.4 in 1989 145.1
Woomelang 160.4 182.0 in 1989 78.2
Birchip (Woodlands) 143.6 181.4 in 1989* 80.7
Kyneton 240.1 363.6 in 1989* 162.4
Quambatook South 167.8 267.8 in 1989* 84.7
Apsley (Post Office) 194.9 205.4 in 1988* 121.1
Canary Island 158.5 263.7 in 1989* 85.2
Natimuk 130.8 140.2 in 1992 93.5
Wickliffe 164.6 196.0 in 1992 129.0
Drung Drung 142.8 147.6 in 1992* 94.7
Terang 237.8 242.6 in 1992* 186.5
Woodend 227.9 335.6 in 1989* 178.2
Charlton (Donald St) 130.8 138.2 in 1995 95.3
Elmore 154.2 186.6 in 1989* 107.6
Bundoora (Latrobe University) 219.4 263.2 in 1995* 152.9
Penshurst (Post Office) 239.3 243.6 in 1995* 171.3
Ninyeunook 130.6 324.0 in 1989* 86.1

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



Record highest autumn mean daily maximum temperature
New record
(°C)		 Old
record		 Years of
record		 Average for
autumn
Ararat Prison 21.5 = 21.5 in 2016 47 19.6
Redesdale 22.6 22.4 in 2005 23 20.7


Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Summary statistics for autumn 2017
Maximum temperatures
(°C)		 Minimum temperatures
(°C)		 Rainfall
(millimetres)
Mean for
autumn
2017		 Diff
from
average		 Highest for
autumn
2017		 Mean for
autumn
2017		 Diff
from
average		 Lowest for
autumn
2017		 Total for
autumn
2017		 Average
for
autumn		 Rank of
autumn
2017		 Fraction of
autumn
average
North Mallee (district 76)
Mildura Airport 25.4 +1.7 37.7 2 Mar 11.5 +1.0 0.9 31 May 67.8 64.5 average 105%
Ouyen (Post Office) 24.7 +1.1 37.5 2 Mar 11.5 +1.6 1.3 31 May 125.8 73.5 high 171%
Walpeup Research 25.0 +1.9 38.0 2 Mar 11.8 +1.4 1.3 31 May 98.0 74.8 high 131%
South Mallee (district 77)
Hopetoun Airport 24.4 +0.6 37.6 2 Mar 10.1 +0.9 -0.2 16 May 91.2 64.4 high 142%
Swan Hill Aerodrome 24.5 +0.8 37.8 2 Mar 10.9 +1.5 0.8 16 May 131.8 64.7 high 204%
North Wimmera (district 78)
Kellalac (Warracknabeal Airport) 23.7   36.9 2 Mar 9.9   1.4 12 May 123.0
Nhill Aerodrome 23.0 +0.4 36.4 2 Mar 10.0 +0.9 1.3 15 May 119.6 66.1 v high 181%
Warracknabeal Museum 23.4 +0.9 36.5 2 Mar 10.1 +0.9 1.0 16 May 126.8 86.5 high 147%
South Wimmera (district 79)
Edenhope Airport 21.6 +0.4 36.0 1 Mar 10.0 +0.7 0.0 31 May 207.4 106.7 v high 194%
Grampians (Mount William) 13.6 +0.9 28.6 1 Mar 7.0 +1.0 -0.4 31 May 313.6 261.9 high 120%
Horsham Aerodrome 22.9 +0.6 36.8 2 Mar 8.5 +1.0 -0.7 7 May 120.0 74.0 v high 162%
Kanagulk 21.8 +0.5 35.8 1 Mar 9.0 +0.2 -0.5 10 May 185.4 104.7 v high 177%
Pyrenees (Ben Nevis) 17.1   30.5 1 Mar 9.0   0.9 31 May 176.8 158.2 average 112%
Stawell Aerodrome 21.3 +0.5 34.8 1 Mar 9.7 +1.0 0.7 3 May 144.8 88.9 high 163%
Lower North (district 80)
Charlton 24.0 +1.0 37.3 2 Mar 10.1 +0.7 0.4 3 May 126.2 80.7 v high 156%
Echuca Aerodrome 23.7 +1.3 36.4 27 Mar 10.5 +0.9 1.0 31 May 188.9 104.1 v high 181%
Kerang 24.3 +1.4 36.5 27 Mar 11.1 +1.5 2.8 29 May 139.4 89.0 high 157%
Upper North (district 81)
Bendigo Airport 22.3 +1.0 34.5 2 Mar 10.2 +1.9 -0.4 29 May 186.8 109.0 v high 171%
Shepparton Airport 23.3 +0.8 34.6 2 Mar 10.0 +1.2 1.5 31 May 115.4 100.6 average 115%
Tatura Inst Sustainable Ag 22.8 +1.1 35.4 27 Mar 9.7 +1.1 -0.1 29 May 146.2 113.4 high 129%
Yarrawonga 24.1 +1.1 36.4 27 Mar 10.4 +1.1 1.3 11 May 112.6 103.6 average 109%
Lower Northeast (district 82)
Benalla Airport 23.1 +0.6 34.3 19 Mar 9.0 +0.3 0.6 31 May 137.8 153.6 average 90%
Corryong Airport 22.5 +0.8 34.6 1 Mar 6.8 +0.2 -1.5 8 May 203.9 185.6 high 110%
Dartmouth Reservoir 21.4 +0.6 32.9 19 Mar     -1.0 8 May 169.2 204.2 average 83%
Hunters Hill 17.6 +1.0 29.2 2 Mar 8.8 +0.3 -0.6 31 May 293.6 234.1 high 125%
Strathbogie 20.2 +1.2 31.9 19 Mar 6.7 +0.5 -1.9 15 May 205.8 218.5 average 94%
Wangaratta Aero 23.3 +0.8 34.8 12 Mar 8.4 +1.1 -0.4 31 May 133.4 140.5 average 95%
Upper Northeast (district 83)
Falls Creek 10.7 +0.7 21.3 19 Mar 4.0 +0.7 -6.0 31 May 282.2 284.6 average 99%
Mount Buller 10.8 +0.7 21.6 19 Mar 4.3 +0.5 -4.6 3 May 311.4 320.7 average 97%
Mount Hotham 9.5 +0.9 20.5 19 Mar 3.3 +0.6 -6.3 3 May 403.6 364.4 average 111%
Omeo 19.7 +0.9 32.9 1 Mar 5.7 0.0 -3.0 3 May 112.2 121.7 average 92%
East Gippsland (district 84)
Gabo Island Lighthouse 20.1 +1.1 25.9 13 Mar 14.1 +0.7 7.9 31 May 200.8 256.0 average 78%
Gelantipy 17.4 +0.9 30.2 27 Mar 7.8 +0.6 0.4 4 May 156.0 170.0 average 92%
Lakes Entrance (Eastern Beach Road) 20.2 -0.2 35.6 27 Mar 11.2 +0.1 3.8 4 May 140.4 168.1 low 84%
Mallacoota 20.8 +0.8 32.2 27 Mar 12.5 +0.8 4.9 30 May 254.2 252.0 average 101%
Mount Nowa Nowa 20.0 +0.8 33.2 12 Mar 11.3 +0.5 4.1 31 May 180.8 199.0 average 91%
Point Hicks (Lighthouse) 20.5 +0.8 35.6 27 Mar 13.2 +0.1 6.6 30 May 210.4 248.7 average 85%
West Gippsland (district 85)
Bairnsdale Airport 21.7 +0.9 37.6 27 Mar 9.4 +0.5 1.5 4 May 114.4 147.9 average 77%
Corner Inlet (Yanakie) 20.3   36.6 27 Mar 11.2   2.2 12 May 194.2
East Sale Airport 21.5 +1.3 37.5 27 Mar 9.3 +0.5 0.8 27 May 88.6 148.4 low 60%
Morwell (Latrobe Valley Airport) 21.9 +1.3 37.8 27 Mar 9.3 +0.5 1.3 4 May 131.4 159.7 low 82%
Mount Baw Baw 11.0 +0.9 22.3 14 Mar 4.7 +0.8 -2.8 31 May 297.6 369.2 average 81%
Mount Moornapa 19.9 +1.5 36.2 15 Mar 10.7 +0.8 3.6 31 May 189.8 190.8 average 99%
Nilma North (Warragul) 21.4   36.3 27 Mar 9.8   0.5 4 May 173.8
Pound Creek 21.2   35.4 27 Mar 9.9   1.4 12 May 205.0 210.8 average 97%
Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse 18.2 +1.0 33.3 27 Mar 14.2 +1.5 8.3 29 May 285.4 267.4 average 107%
Yarram Airport 20.8   36.4 27 Mar 9.4   1.6 12 May 137.4 150.1 average 92%
East Central (district 86)
Bundoora (Latrobe University) 21.7 +1.2 34.0 19 Mar 10.8 +0.7 2.2 4 May 219.4 152.9 v high 143%
Cerberus 20.9 +1.1 33.5 27 Mar 10.9 +0.6 2.9 5 May 186.8 176.8 average 106%
Coldstream 22.1 +1.4 33.9 15 Mar 8.2 +0.8 -0.6 4 May 176.0 173.8 average 101%
Cranbourne Botanic Gardens 20.8 +0.9 33.0 15 Mar 11.3 +0.9 3.9 5 May 218.1 181.5 high 120%
Essendon Airport 21.8 +1.7 34.1 19 Mar 11.5 +1.4 3.4 12 May 158.8 142.7 high 111%
Ferny Creek 18.0   29.0 19 Mar 10.7   2.9 31 May 283.8
Frankston AWS 20.5 +1.2 32.0 15 Mar 13.1 +0.6 5.6 31 May
Melbourne (Olympic Park) 21.6   33.5 19 Mar 12.6   5.6 16 May 174.8
Melbourne Airport 21.6 +1.2 34.6 19 Mar 10.9 +0.5 3.6 4 May 151.6 120.4 high 126%
Moorabbin Airport 21.7 +1.4 34.1 15 Mar 11.6 +0.9 3.6 16 May 156.2 175.4 average 89%
Rhyll 20.6 +1.2 31.4 27 Mar 13.4 +0.7 7.5 29 May 206.0 172.3 high 120%
Scoresby Research Institute 21.9 +1.7 33.3 19 Mar 10.6 +0.3 2.1 4 May 194.6 210.9 average 92%
Viewbank 22.2 +1.0 34.1 19 Mar 10.7 +0.4 2.4 4 May 171.6 151.7 high 113%
Wonthaggi 21.2 +1.5 33.2 27 Mar 11.4 +0.9 4.4 16 May 234.8 237.6 average 99%
West Central (district 87)
Avalon Airport 21.3 +0.6 34.9 15 Mar 10.8 +0.8 2.7 5 May 189.6 100.5 v high 189%
Breakwater (Geelong Racecourse) 21.1   33.9 15 Mar 11.3   3.5 12 May 230.4
Laverton RAAF 21.3 +1.0 33.9 15 Mar 11.1 +1.0 3.3 5 May 136.6 126.1 average 108%
Sheoaks 20.4 +1.1 33.7 19 Mar 9.8 +0.7 1.1 3 May 197.0 97.6 v high 202%
North Central (district 88)
Castlemaine Prison 21.0 +0.8 33.3 1 Mar 10.0 +2.1 0.0 31 May 201.9 131.1 high 154%
Eildon Fire Tower 19.5 +1.3 31.6 14 Mar 10.0 +0.9 1.6 31 May 163.4 138.4 average 118%
Lake Eildon 22.5 +1.6 34.9 14 Mar 8.7 +0.5 1.0 31 May 153.8 190.3 average 81%
Mangalore Airport 22.7 +1.3 34.2 1 Mar 9.7 +0.7 -0.8 29 May 125.4 127.8 average 98%
Maryborough 21.9 +1.1 34.7 1 Mar 9.5 +1.0 0.3 29 May 118.7 118.9 average 100%
Redesdale 22.6 +1.9 35.3 1 Mar 8.7 +0.9 -1.1 29 May 186.2 129.6 high 144%
Wallan (Kilmore Gap) 18.9 +1.8 32.0 1 Mar 10.2 +1.3 2.5 29 May 145.6 155.9 average 93%
Western Plains (district 89)
Ararat Prison 21.5 +1.9 35.0 1 Mar 8.6 +1.1 -1.2 31 May 151.6 126.6 high 120%
Ballarat Aerodrome 19.4 +1.5 32.1 1 Mar 8.4 +0.7 -3.0 31 May 189.4 157.7 high 120%
West Coast (district 90)
Cape Nelson Lighthouse 18.7 +0.5 33.8 15 Mar 12.9 +0.5 6.1 10 May 206.8 155.1 high 133%
Cape Otway Lighthouse 18.6 +0.6 32.6 15 Mar 13.1 +1.5 7.3 10 May 241.0 217.4 high 111%
Casterton 20.7 +0.2 35.2 1 Mar 9.7 +0.7 0.4 10 May 192.4 147.0 high 131%
Colac (Mount Gellibrand) 19.6 +0.5 33.4 1 Mar 10.8 +0.9 2.9 31 May 188.6 114.1 high 165%
Dartmoor 20.7   36.9 1 Mar 9.8   -0.5 13 May 197.2
Hamilton Airport 20.3 +0.4 34.5 1 Mar 9.5 +1.1 1.2 31 May 206.8 128.9 highest 160%
Mortlake Racecourse 21.2 +1.2 35.9 1 Mar 9.0 +0.9 0.0 13 May 209.4 129.5 highest 162%
Port Fairy AWS 19.4 +0.1 34.3 15 Mar 11.7 +0.7 3.3 13 May 194.2 158.1 high 123%
Portland (Cashmore Airport) 19.2 +0.7 33.8 1 Mar 10.8 +0.8 2.0 13 May 244.2 189.0 high 129%
Warrnambool Airport NDB 20.1 +0.2 34.8 1 Mar 9.9 +0.9 0.9 13 May 240.8 175.1 high 138%

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Notes

The Seasonal 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 11 am on Thursday 1 June 2017. 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.

Further information

Media
(03) 9669 4057
Enquiries