Tuesday, 1 March 2016 - Monthly Climate Summary for Victoria - Product code IDCKGC16R0

Victoria in February 2016: Generally drier and warmer than average

February in Victoria was generally drier than normal with large areas receiving below average rainfall. Temperatures were generally warmer than normal, with above average daytime temperatures in the north and east, and above average night time temperatures along the south.

• Below average rainfall across much of Gippsland and the northwest
• Wetter than average in the West Coast and an area stretching west from Kerang
• Above average daytime temperatures for northern and eastern districts
• Warmer than average nights for the southern half of the State

Below average rainfall was recorded for much of southern and eastern Victoria, and in the North Mallee. There were patches of very much below average rainfall in East and West Gippsland, and in the far northwest of the State. Above average rainfall was recorded in an area stretching west from Kerang and in parts of the West Coast, including a small area of very much above average rainfall around Portland. Other areas received near average rainfall for the month. In the Latrobe Valley, Morwell and Mount Moornapa had their lowest total February rainfall on record. Several sites in West Gippsland as well as Melbourne Airport had their lowest total February rainfall for at least 20 years. A cold front brought rain to the West Coast on the 24-25 February and Portland and Cape Nelson Lighthouse each had their highest February daily rainfall on record. The high daily total at Cape Nelson Lighthouse resulted in the site also reporting its highest total February rainfall on record. For Victoria as a whole, February rainfall was 41% below normal.

Temperatures were average to above average throughout Victoria in February. The February mean temperature for Victoria was 0.63 °C warmer than normal. Despite having few very hot days, maximum temperatures were 0.70 °C above average for the State as a whole. Above average daytime temperatures were observed across the State's north and east, extending from the Mallee in the northwest into Gippsland in the east. Minimum temperatures were 0.56 °C above average, with warmer than average nights experienced in much of the southern half of the State. Gabo Island Lighthouse recorded its highest February mean daily maximum temperature in the modern record. Mallacoota had its warmest February night on record.

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

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

^ note: a higher value was recorded at the site in 1892 under different observing practices.
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported.

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top

Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top