RAINFALL
“August has been all we had hoped for, and more,” said Lindsay Smail, Director of Geelong Weather Services. “The catchments are at over 80% of capacity, farm dams are full and spring growth is well on the way,” he continued. All parts of the region received above average rainfall for the month, with urban Geelong averaging 70 mm and the Otway catchments over 200 mm. Most of the rain fell in the third week and a minor flood situation developed in Geelong when the Breakwater Road was cut for parts of three days.
TEMPERATURES
Up until half way through the month, daily temperatures were averaging over one degree above the 30-year normals. An unusual feature was an early-morning temperature surge on the 16th to 19 degrees at 4.30 am after an 8 pm low of 12 degrees. This situation was temporarily reversed in the third week when a strong low pressure system and series of cold fronts charged across Victoria, bringing low temperatures, strong winds, rain, hail, sleet and snow to higher altitudes. Lowest daytime maximum was 12.1 degrees on the 18th, and highest was 21.2 degrees on the 14th. Coldest overnight temperature was 1.8 degrees on the 24th and warmest was 12.5 degrees on the 16th. Overall the month’s temperatures averaged almost one degree higher than normal.
OTHER FEATURES
Hail: recorded twice (1st and 22nd).
Minor Flooding: the Barwon reached 2.5 m at the Macintyre Bridge on the 24th.
Strong Winds: Gusts of up to 90 kph were recorded at Point Wilson, Leopold and Geelong Airport in the week after the 16th, causing tree, powerline and some structural damage. Aireys Inlet reported a 120 kph gust on the 19th.
RAINFALL DATA
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