RAINFALL
Rainfall for most of the Geelong-Otways-Bellarine Region was well above average for May. A wrap-around cloud band caused by a strong low pressure system which crossed the state from the north on the 25th-26th was the cause of heavy rains which tipped the scale. Urban Geelong’s total was around 80 mm for the month (average 45 mm) and similar results were reported through the Bellarine Peninsula and the Otway Ranges. Falls along the Otway ridge ranged from 174 mm at Johanna Heights to 233 mm at Lavers Hill.
West Barwon Dam totalled 115 mm and the catchments are holding steady on 72% of capacity.
Autumn rainfall overall in Geelong was above average with the region receiving around 100-130% of its normal autumn falls, despite persistently pessimistic probability forecasts from the Bureau. Once again the poorly-performing models used for such projections have been shown to be inadequate for the task.
TEMPERATURE
Minimum daily temperatures averaged 8.8 C and maximums averaged 17.0 C. These figures, taken from the warmer Racecourse site, equate to a cooler May by around 0.1 C.
The warmest day was the 1st with a maximum of 24.2 C. Lowest minimum was 4.3 C on the 21st, but there were no frosts.
Autumn temperatures were very close to “average”, when the site change is considered. Although March and May were fractionally cooler, April was slightly warmer than normal.
OTHER FEATURES
No severe storms were reported despite some minor flooding and damage around the 2nd-3rd and the 25th; both occasions were brought about by low pressure wrap-around systems bringing winds from the south and southeast. Only one thunder day occurred near Geelong on the 9th, although there were a few thunderstorms in the eastern Otways on the 25th. One strong wind gust over 60 kph was reported: 76 kph on the 23rd.
RAINFALL DATA
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