RAINFALL
Rainfall across most of the Geelong-Otways Region fell slightly below average for the first time in the last nine months (40 mm compared to 42 mm). The big exception to this was the Bellarine Peninsula around Drysdale-Clifton Springs. That area received over 70 mm for the month, exceeding the average by over 50%. This was mainly due to localised, heavy rains of 50 mm on the 11th-12th. On those days the rest of Geelong received around 25 mm. However February to April rain in this region was clearly above average, despite the Bureau of Meteorology’s warning to expect only a 40-45% chance of average rains for the period. The La Nina situation continues but is weakening as predicted.
TEMPERATURE
April in Geelong was around half a degree cooler (0.45 C) than the long-term average, according to raw temperature figures recorded at Geelong Airport AWS. Average daily maximum was 20.0 C (compared to the long-term 20.3 C) and average minimum was 8.9 C (compared to 9.5 C). The top temperature was 27.7 C on the 9th and the lowest maximum was 16.2 C on the 19th. Minimums ranged from 5.0 C on the 11th to 16.1 C on the 9th.
Once again the Bureau of Meteorology got it quite wrong. In their 3-monthly outlook for February to April, the BoM predicted an over 80% chance that Geelong’s daily maximum temperatures would be above average, but in each month Geelong’s maximum temperatures were below average by well over half a degree C.
OTHER
Another generally very settled autumn month saw only one strong wind day when gusts reached 65 kph on the 9th. There were several foggy days as high pressure systems dominated in the second half of the month. Water catchments are still hovering around 73% of capacity at the moment, despite a relaxation of restrictions to Stage 2.
RAINFALL DATA
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