Summary of 1997 Weather

by  on  in 1997, Observations

( Figures are from the Bureau of Meteorology station at Mount Duneed )

Weather Conditions Temps
(deg C)		 Rainfall
(mm)		 Cumulative Rainfall Comments
J
A
N		 7 days were over 30 deg. Heatwave on 19th, 20th, 21st: 35, 42, 40 deg. Average max 26.2
Jan average max 25.5		 35.4.
Jan average 44		 35.4
Average 44		 Most rain fell on 3 days.
The rest of the month was fairly dry. Warmer January than average.
F
E
B		 6 days were over 30 deg. The hottest period was the 18th, 19th, 20th (39, 39, 40) Average max 26.6
Feb average max 25.7		 10.2
Feb average 37		 45.6
Average 81		 Drought fears growing. Warmer February than average.
M
A
R		 Mostly gentle south-westerly winds. Slightly cooler than normal. One day over 30 deg. Average max 22.0
Mar average max 23.7		 7.4
Mar average 37		 53.0
Average 118		 El Nino conditions noticed in Pacific Ocean.
A
P
R		 Predominantly high pressure systems and light winds.  31 deg recorded on the 31st. Average max 20.8
Apr average max 20.3		 3.8
Apr average 38		 56.8
Average 156		 Concern expressed if the drought continues. (Very low rainfall since last October)
M
A
Y		 Thick cloud cover for large part of month. Rained on 18 days. Average max 15.7
May average max 17.3		 100
May average 53		 156.8
Average 209		 54 mm fell in 3 days. 31 mm fell on the 3rd.  Has the drought ended?
J
U
N		 Stable high pressure system; light winds from north and south-east. Average min 6.3
June average min 5.7		 29.4
June average 41		 186.2
Average 250		 3 fogs; fatal accident at Connewarre in fog.  0 deg on 20th. New fears of winter drought.
J
U
L		 Stable high pressure systems. Several windy days. Average min 4.6
July average min 4.9		 17.0
July average 42		 203.2
Average 292		 Several frosts reported in surrounding rural areas. 0 deg on 24th.
A
U
G		 Highs continue to dominate. Slightly colder than average. One very windy day. Average min 5.0
Aug average min 5.6		 45.4
Aug average 49		 248.6
Average 341		 2 cold snaps (-2 deg and 0 deg) -2 deg on 5th. Low winter rainfall a worry.
S
E
P		 Wet first two weeks, then drier. Generally light winds. Average min 5.9
Sep average min 6.6		 71.0
Sep average 51		 319.6
Average 392		 3 thunderstorms in the first week, bringing 50 mm. Hail damage at Teesdale.
O
C
T		 Very dry for most of the month, then 45 mm fell on the last day. One day over 30 deg. Average max 18.6
Oct average max 19.1		 59.2
Oct average 65		 378.8
Average 457		 3 thunderstorms causing some hail and lightning damage.
N
O
V		 3 days over 30 deg. Very changeable weather, but most winds SE and SW. Average max 20.4
Nov average max
21.4		 65.8
Nov average 50		 444.6
Average 507		 Most precipitation fell in 3 thunderstorms.  Serious hail and flood damage in Bannockburn, Corio, Clifton Springs.
D
E
C		 2 days over 30 deg. Average max 22
Dec average max
24		 4.6
Dec average 43		 449.2
Average 550		 Drier and cooler month.
No summer thunder-storms. Is there a new drought?

OVERALL:
Hottest Day: 20th Jan. 42 deg;
Coldest Day: 9th July 9 deg;
Coldest Night: 5th Aug -2 deg;
Wettest Day: 31st Oct 45 mm (plus 24 mm overnight);
No of Days above 30 deg: 21

Copyright © Geelong Weather Services, 2002