January 2010

RAINFALL

Geelong only received half of its average January rainfall, but it was a better start to the year than 2009. Most of the region had a similar result.

Rainfall averaged only about 15-20 mm (the average is 36 mm) across the urban area, but Avalon only recorded 9.2.Otway catchments are reasonably stable at 33%, several % better than at the same time last year. West Barwon Dam received almost its January average, as did other Otways areas.

Some of the model outlooks are predicting well above average rainfall in this region for February and such a result would be very helpful.

TEMPERATURE

In spite of the continued exaggerated warming claims emanating from those in official positions who should know better, January’s temperatures were only 0.2 degrees higher than the mean. The daily maximum averaged 25.5 degrees (long-term mean 24.5C) and daily minimums averaged 12.4 degrees (long-term mean 13.0C).

It should be noted that the mean figures published as a “normal” for Geelong by the BoM are questionable. The only legitimate figures which can be used for comparisons are the current ones from Geelong Airport, which date from 1992. This is only a 19-year period and is not quite long enough for sound statistical purposes, but these figures are the best we have. The figures from the previous long-term station at North Geelong should not be minutely compared, although they are a good guide and would probably vary from the Airport figures only by several tenths of a degree, if that. Temperatures at the North Geelong site are thought to have been a little more moderated than the Airport, since the North Geelong site was close to Corio Bay, although urban heat island influences at that site were still noticeable, particularly at night.

There were six days when the maximum topped 30 degrees (average 5) and the hottest day was the 11th when the maximum reached 44.9C, the highest temperature in Victoria on that day. The warmest overnight temperature was 21.9C on the 12th. Neither figure was a record.Both the 11th and 12th were designated Total Fire Ban days but no local problems eventuated.

There were four strong wind days with gusts over 60 kph at Mt Duneed, including 76 kph on the 12th. There was one thunder day (31st) but no severe storms.

RAINFALL DATA