RAINFALL
Geelong had a very poor rainfall month which resembled March last year where the driest autumn on record was experienced. Only 8 mm fell in the urban area, compared to the long-term average of 32 mm.
The rainfall outlook for the autumn to spring period, according to Ian Holton, Adelaide-based forecaster, is for a drier than average growing season. A weak El Nino is expected to dominate during the period.
Geelong’s water resources, owing to low falls in catchment areas, are now at the dangerously low level of 29.7 %, with the outlook not optimistic.
TEMPERATURE
March was 0.35 degrees warmer than average in Geelong. There were five days over 30 degrees (average 4) and the hottest day was on the 12th when the temperature rose to 39.4 degrees. Daily maximums averaged 24.8 degrees (compared to long-term mean of 23.5 deg) and minimums 12.2 degrees (compared to 12.8 deg).
OTHER FEATURES
It was a very mild and stable month, in that sense typical of autumn. On only three days did wind gusts exceed 60 kph (12th, 16th and 31st) and there were no storms or severe weather. High pressure systems and blue skies dominated the region and gave little chance of rain.
RAINFALL DATA
| GEELONG REGION |
 Location |
Total for
Month
(mm) |
Monthly
Average
(mm) |
| Aireys Inlet |
8.4 |
45.7 |
| Anakie |
na |
35.6 |
| Anglesea |
na |
41.0 |
| Apollo Bay |
17.0 |
69.6 |
| Ballan |
17.8 |
34.0 |
| Ballarat |
9.2 |
44.4 |
| Bannockburn |
na |
39.0 |
| Barwon Heads |
10.5 |
43.0 |
| Bellbrae |
12.0 |
37.7 |
| Bell’s Beach |
12.0 |
37.7 |
| Beeac |
na |
40.4 |
| Benwerrin |
17.0 |
65.0 |
| Birregurra |
14.0 |
41.4 |
| Boonah |
17.0 |
64.0 |
| Cape Otway |
40.2 |
55.8 |
| Clifton Springs |
9.8 |
59.0 |
| Colac |
8.0 |
44.2 |
| Cressy |
10.2 |
45.0 |
| Drysdale |
na |
59.4 |
| Durdidwarrah |
7.4 |
53.1 |
| Forrest (West Barwon) |
16.0 |
62.8 |
| Gellibrand |
16.0 |
60.2 |
| Inverleigh |
9.0 |
43.0 |
| Lal Lal |
na |
54.4 |
| Laverton |
12.8 |
36.0 |
| Lethbridge |
na |
36.0 |
| Little River West |
5.5 |
32.0 |
| Melba Gully |
na |
n.a. |
| Melbourne (City) |
15.8 |
52.0 |
| Meredith (Darra) |
8.6 |
51.6 |
| Moriac |
12.7 |
35.0 |
| Morrisons |
12.0 |
50.8 |
| Mount Cowley |
na |
66.1 |
| Mount Mercer |
na |
50.5 |
| Mount Sabine |
na |
70.2 |
| Point Lonsdale |
8.2 |
45.6 |
| Pollocksford |
8.6 |
40.6 |
| Portarlington |
na |
45.7 |
| Queenscliff |
na |
44.5 |
| Scotsburn |
na |
58.0 |
| Shelford |
na |
38.0 |
| Sheoaks |
6.6 |
38.0 |
| Skipton |
8.2 |
38.0 |
| St Leonards |
14.0 |
45.0 |
| Teesdale |
na |
45.7 |
| Torquay |
8.0 |
36.0 |
| Weeaproinah |
26.2 |
112.8 |
| Winchelsea |
8.8 |
36.1 |
|
 |
| GEELONG SUBURBS |
| Location |
Total for
Month
(mm) |
Monthly
Average
(mm) |
| Avalon |
8.6 |
31.0 |
| Bell Park |
6.0 |
37.4 |
| Belmont(1) |
7.5 |
31.9 |
| Belmont(2) |
7.4 |
31.9 |
| Ceres |
7.5 |
34.0 |
| City |
na |
42.0 |
| Connewarre |
na |
27.0 |
| Corio |
6.3 |
35.0 |
| Drumcondra |
9.4 |
35.0 |
| Grovedale |
7.0 |
41.7 |
| Grovedale South |
7.5 |
41.7 |
| Hamlyn Heights (1) |
7.0 |
35.0 |
| Hamlyn Heights (2) |
7.2 |
31.9 |
| Lara |
6.5 |
36.6 |
| Lara (Serendip) |
na |
36.6 |
| Leopold |
8.0 |
32.9 |
| Leopold East |
10.9 |
32.5 |
| Mt Duneed Airport |
7.0 |
41.7 |
| Mt Duneed West |
8.0 |
28.1 |
| Whittington |
8.7 |
42.0 |
| Urban Area Average |
8.0 |
34.6 |
|
