SUMMARY
A considerably cooler month by around one degree C and a much drier month resulted for February in most of western Victoria.
TEMPERATURE
Daily minimum temperatures in Geelong averaged 13.4 C and maximums 24.0 C in February. These figures both compared below the 30-year averages of 14.3 C and 25.3 C respectively.
There were five days above 30.0 C and the maximum was 34.8 C on the 19th. The coolest day reached 18.5 C on the 8th. The warmest night was 18.0 C on the 20th and the coolest night was 8.0 C on the 25th.
Hot air balloon above Belmont on 28th.
Sunset over Geelong after a 30-degree day on the 16th (Photo Doug Smail).
Feeble rain clouds failing to produce rain over Geelong on the 6th.
RAINFALL
A major Bureau of Meteorology mistake was made on the 5th-6th when the 24-hour forecast predicted a 100% chance of rainfall for Geelong failed dismally with a 1.2 mm total of rain across most of the urban area.
In fact most of western Victoria resulted in a well-below average rainfall in February, with the Geelong area receiving an almost drought-like 6.0 mm. Much of the region only received below 10 mm although the Otways and Queenscliff areas measured above 20 mm, much below Geelong’s 30-year average of 36.4 mm.
The result of this month’s low rainfall made it very clear that the La Nina system dominating our last six months with above average rainfall had truly completed its effect.
Barwon Water catchments are 73% of capacity.
OTHER FEATURES
The only interesting feature of this colder and drier month was one thunder day on the 5th, with very little rain resulting. There were no strong wind gusts or other storms or other interesting features.
SUMMER SUMMARY
Overall summer was just below the 30-year average by around 0.7 C degrees and above average by around 24 mm of rainfall owing to December and January’s higher figures.
RAINFALL DATA
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