July 2006

RAINFALL

A cut off low pressure system in the middle of the month brought good rains right across Victoria over a four-day period. Most of the rain originated from the southeast in Geelong and consisted of light showers and drizzle, totalling around 15 mm.

A very heavy rain period between the 15th and 18th saw Mt Sabine, at the head of the West Barwon catchment, receive over 180 mm. This resulted in a good runoff although the West Barwon Dam itself only received 40 mm over that period. Mt Sabine’s monthly total was a staggering 330mm. Geelong’s water supplies are now at a still meagre 30% of capacity. The Bureau of Meteorology outlook for the next 3 months is for only around a 50% chance of average rains for this region.

TEMPERATURES

The month was 0.55 degrees C above the long-term normal. Average daily minimums were 0.9 higher (5.9 degrees compared to 5.1C) and maximums averaged 14.1 degrees compared to 13.9C. The coldest day was the 19th (11.5 degrees max.) and the coldest overnight temperature was -0.8 degrees on the 21st. The warmest day was the 28th (17.0 degrees). There were three frosts and two foggy days.

After a cold June (1.25 degrees below average) and a warmer July, Geelong’s winter is still slightly cooler than average.

OTHER FEATURES

There were five very windy days with gusts >60 kph, the maximum gust being 72kph at Mt Duneed on the 30th.

RAINFALL DATA