RAINFALL
Once again below average rainfall has occurred for the fourth time in the last six months. The Geelong region received an average of 24mm, about two-thirds the average for March. The water catchments of the Otways received better, but still just below average, and the storages are now around 49% of capacity.
TEMPERATURE
A cooler month than normal occurred in March. Geelong’s average daily minimum and maximum temperatures were 11.4C and 22.1C respectively, compared to the long-term means of 12.8C and 23.5C. This gives a bottom line for average daily temperature of 16.7C, compared with the March normal of 18.1C, around 1.5 degrees below average.It was Geelong’s coolest March since 1987 and the fifth coolest since 1957. Since last July, only December has been above average in temperature.
OTHER FEATURES
On the 29th a passing cold front brought strong winds to the district, with 92kph at Mt Gellibrand and 72kph at Mt Duneed. Several boats were swamped on Port Phillip Bay and other damage was reported.Apart from that, a benign and settled month was experienced as many days passed under high pressure ridges.
RAINFALL DATA
| GEELONG REGION | ||
| Location | Total for Month (mm) |
Monthly Average (mm) |
| Aireys Inlet | 33.4 | 45.7 |
| Anakie | 25.5 | 35.6 |
| Anglesea | 29.0 | 41.0 |
| Apollo Bay | 55.4 | 69.6 |
| Ballan | na | 34.0 |
| Ballarat | 25.8 | 44.4 |
| Bannockburn | 23.8 | 39.0 |
| Barwon Heads | 28.0 | 43.0 |
| Bellbrae (1) | na | 37.7 |
| Bellbrae (2) | na | 37.7 |
| Beeac | 23.4 | 40.4 |
| Benwerrin | 52.4 | 65.0 |
| Birregurra | 51.2 | 41.4 |
| Boonah | 44.4 | 64.0 |
| Cape Otway | 71.0 | 55.8 |
| Clifton Springs | 23.0 | 59.0 |
| Colac | 41.0 | 44.2 |
| Cressy | 31.6 | 45.0 |
| Drysdale | na | 59.4 |
| Durdidwarrah | 32.4 | 53.1 |
| Forrest (West Barwon) | na | 62.8 |
| Forrest (Town) | 39.2 | 62.0 |
| Gellibrand | 43.0 | 60.2 |
| Inverleigh | 28.6 | 43.0 |
| Lal Lal | 23.0 | 54.4 |
| Laverton | 21.0 | 36.0 |
| Lethbridge | 27.4 | 36.0 |
| Little River West | 13.0 | 32.0 |
| Melba Gully | na | n.a. |
| Melbourne (City) | 22.6 | 52.0 |
| Meredith (Darra) | 35.6 | 51.6 |
| Moriac | na | 35.0 |
| Morrisons | 38.4 | 50.8 |
| Mount Cowley | 69.4 | 66.1 |
| Mount Mercer | 41.0 | 50.5 |
| Mount Sabine | 76.2 | 70.2 |
| Paraparap East | 27.2 | 36.0 |
| Pollocksford | 24.0 | 40.6 |
| Portarlington | na | 45.7 |
| Queenscliff | 22.8 | 44.5 |
| Scotsburn | 36.6 | 58.0 |
| Shelford | 25.0 | 38.0 |
| Sheoaks | 28.2 | 38.0 |
| Skipton | na | 38.0 |
| St Leonards | 23.0 | 45.0 |
| Teesdale | na | 45.7 |
| Torquay | na | 36.0 |
| Weeaproinah | 134.2 | 112.8 |
| Winchelsea | 33.4 | 36.1 |
| Wurdi Boluc | 35.0 | 38.0 |
| GEELONG SUBURBS | ||
| Location | Total for Month (mm) |
Monthly Average (mm) |
| Avalon | 18.2 | 31.0 |
| Bell Park | 24.0 | 37.4 |
| Belmont | 18.5 | 31.9 |
| City | 13.0 | 42.0 |
| Cloverdale | 35.0 | |
| Connewarre | 22.4 | 27.0 |
| Corio | 17.3 | 35.0 |
| North Belmont | 37.2 | 31.9 |
| Grovedale | 16.7 | 41.7 |
| Grovedale South | 20.0 | 41.7 |
| Hamlyn Heights | 25.5 | 35.0 |
| Highton | 40.3 | |
| Lara | 18.0 | 36.6 |
| Lara (Serendip) | na | 36.6 |
| Leopold East | na | 32.5 |
| Manifold Heights | 25.5 | 37.4 |
| Mt Duneed Airport | 26.2 | 41.7 |
| Mt Duneed West | 30.1 | 28.1 |
| St Albans Park | 28.0 | 42.0 |
| Waurn Ponds Creek | 28.6 | 42.0 |
| Whittington | na | 42.0 |
| Urban Area Average | 24.0 | 34.6 |
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